My JALHotels (MYJ), a new hotel loyalty program, recently launched and you can enjoy Silver membership privileges until December 2011 if you sign up now via http://www.jalhotels.com or by filling out the application form available at a JAL Hotel reception.

Silver benefits include complimentary newspapers, early check-in, late check-out and 10 percent bonus JAL Mileage Bank miles. The base earning per night is 600 miles, so with Silver benefits, you’ll get 660 miles per night. Normally, you would need to stay five nights to earn Silver status.

If members stay over 20 nights, they will be upgraded to Gold, which comes with room upgrades (subject to availability) and 30 percent bonus miles on nights stayed.

All members receive complimentary newspapers and 10 percent off Nikko Hotels International and five percent off Hotel JAL city. There are also select “Local Privileges” depending on your membership level. For example, at the Hotel Nikko Alivila/Yomitan Resort Okinawa, all members will receive a birthday cake if their stay is one week before or after their birthday (two-day advance reservation required) and if you’re a Gold member, you’ll be able to take advantage of an exclusive check-in desk and will receive one bottle of champagne (not just around your birthday). For more information and to join, visit www.myjalhotels.com.

Bottom line: During this inaugural year, you’ll be getting Silver benefits but with a Standard card; however, this is still a good way to kick off your membership. As the Web site reads, “All over Japan, All over the world, Traveling is even greater fun.”