What the JetBlue Card Offers
The JetBlue Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays that earns points on every purchase you make. You get points toward JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, and checked baggage fees. The card also includes perks like a checked bag waiver for you and one companion, priority boarding, and a statement credit toward JetBlue purchases each year.
The card comes in two versions: the personal card and the business card. Both earn the same rewards rate on JetBlue purchases, but they differ on annual fees and some benefits. The personal card has an annual fee; the business card has a different annual fee structure. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
Points earned on the JetBlue Card never expire as long as your account stays open and active. You can use points to book flights directly through JetBlue's website, or redeem them for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The JetBlue Card earns bonus points on JetBlue purchases and a lower rate on everything else, with points that never expire.
- Cardholders receive a checked bag waiver for themselves and one companion on all JetBlue flights, saving money on every trip.
- The card includes priority boarding, which lets you board before most other passengers and choose better seat locations.
- An annual statement credit toward JetBlue purchases offsets part of the card's annual fee if you use JetBlue regularly.
- Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, baggage fees, and other JetBlue services through your online account.
Earning Points on Purchases
The JetBlue Card earns 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. JetBlue purchases include flights booked directly with JetBlue, seat selections, baggage fees, and other services bought through JetBlue's website or at the airport.
Purchases made through third-party travel sites, airline booking apps, or other retailers do not earn the higher 6x rate, even if you are buying a JetBlue flight. To earn the bonus rate, book directly with JetBlue or call their reservations line.
New cardholders receive an introductory bonus of points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account. The exact bonus amount and spending threshold vary by offer, so check the terms when you receive your card.
Checked Baggage and Boarding Perks
The JetBlue Card waives the first checked bag fee for you and one companion on every JetBlue flight. This benefit applies to all flights, including basic economy fares where checked bags normally cost money. The waiver covers the first bag only; additional bags are charged at standard rates.
You also receive priority boarding on all JetBlue flights. This means you board before most other passengers, giving you access to better overhead bin space and seat selection. Priority boarding applies to you as the cardholder; your companion does not automatically receive it unless they also have a JetBlue Card or hold elite status.
Both benefits explore as long as your card account is open and in good standing. If your card is closed or your account becomes inactive, the perks stop when ready. You will need to present your physical card or show your card number at check-in to receive the baggage waiver.
Annual Statement Credit and Other Benefits
The JetBlue Card includes an annual statement credit that you can use toward JetBlue purchases. This credit appears in your account each year and can be applied to flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other services bought through JetBlue. The credit amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold.
The card also offers no foreign transaction fees, which means you pay no extra charges when you use the card outside the United States. This applies to all purchases, not just JetBlue flights. If you travel internationally and use your card abroad, you will not see an added percentage on top of the exchange rate.
Additional benefits may include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel accident insurance. The exact coverage depends on your card version and Barclays' current terms. Review your cardholder agreement or contact Barclays customer service to confirm what protections explore to your specific card.
How to Redeem Points
You redeem JetBlue Card points through your online account at JetBlue.com or through the JetBlue mobile app. Log in, navigate to your rewards account, and select the flights or services you want to book. The system will show you how many points each option costs and let you complete the booking in real time.
Points can be used for one-way flights, round-trip flights, seat upgrades (including extra legroom seats), checked baggage fees, and JetBlue Vacations packages. You can also transfer points to a companion's account if you want to book a flight for someone else, though the process requires both accounts to be linked.
There is no limit to how many points you can accumulate or redeem at once. Points do not expire as long as your card account remains open and you use it at least once every 12 months. If your account closes, your points are forfeited.
Comparing the Personal and Business Cards
| Feature | Personal Card | Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Standard annual fee | Different annual fee structure |
| Earning Rate on JetBlue | 6 points per dollar | 6 points per dollar |
| Earning Rate on Other Purchases | 1 point per dollar | 1 point per dollar |
| Checked Bag Waiver | Yes, for you and one companion | Yes, for you and one companion |
| Priority Boarding | Yes | Yes |
| Annual Statement Credit | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None |
The main difference between the two cards is the annual fee structure and who can hold them. The personal card is for individual use; the business card is designed for business owners and employees. Both cards earn rewards at the same rate and include the same travel perks.
Choose the personal card if you fly JetBlue for leisure or personal travel. Choose the business card if you own a business or manage company travel expenses. The business card may offer additional perks for business spending, so review the current offer before deciding.
When the JetBlue Card Makes Sense
The JetBlue Card is most valuable if you fly JetBlue regularly and want to earn points faster on those flights. The 6x earning rate on JetBlue purchases means you accumulate points quickly, and the checked bag waiver saves money on every trip. If you take at least two or three JetBlue flights per year, the annual fee is often offset by the baggage savings alone.
The card is less valuable if you rarely fly JetBlue or prefer other airlines. The 1x earning rate on non-JetBlue purchases is standard for most credit cards, so you would not earn rewards faster than with a general-purpose card. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a card that earns points across all airlines may serve you better.
The annual statement credit also affects the card's value. If you use JetBlue frequently enough to spend the credit each year, it reduces your net annual cost. If you rarely use JetBlue, the credit may go unused and the annual fee becomes a pure cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my JetBlue Card to get the checked bag waiver?
Yes, you must present your JetBlue Card or provide your card number at check-in to receive the baggage waiver. The benefit is tied to your card account, not to your JetBlue frequent flyer account. If you forget your card or do not provide the card number, you will be charged the standard baggage fee.
Can I use my points on flights booked through a travel website?
No, points can only be redeemed through JetBlue directly. You must book flights through JetBlue.com, the JetBlue app, or by calling JetBlue reservations. Points cannot be used to reimburse flights booked elsewhere or transferred to other airlines.
What happens to my points if I close my card?
Your points are forfeited if you close your card account. Points only remain active as long as your account is open and in good standing. If you want to keep your points, keep your card open even if you do not use it regularly.
Does my travel companion get priority boarding too?
No, only you as the cardholder receive priority boarding. Your companion gets the checked bag waiver if they are listed on your reservation, but they board with the general boarding group unless they also have a JetBlue Card or hold elite frequent flyer status.
Can I earn points on JetBlue flights booked through my employer's travel site?
It depends on how the booking is processed. If your employer's travel site books the flight directly through JetBlue and charges your JetBlue Card, you should earn points. If the booking goes through a third-party system, you may not earn the bonus rate. Check with your employer's travel department or contact JetBlue customer service to confirm.