JetBlue's current credit card offers and what they cover
JetBlue offers two main credit cards through Barclays: the JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Business Card. Each comes with a sign-up bonus in the form of points or statement credits, though the specific offer changes throughout the year. The JetBlue Card is designed for personal travel, while the JetBlue Business Card is built for business owners and employees who book company flights.
Both cards earn points on every purchase you make, not just JetBlue flights. You can redeem points for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel costs. The cards also come with perks like checked bag fee waivers and priority boarding, which reduce what you pay out of pocket when you fly JetBlue.
The sign-up bonus is the main reason most people open one of these cards. Rather than earning points slowly over months, you get a large chunk upfront if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. This bonus is what makes the offer worth comparing to other airline cards.
Key Takeaways
- JetBlue offers two cards—one for personal use and one for business—each with a sign-up bonus that changes periodically throughout the year.
- The sign-up bonus typically requires you to spend a set amount on the card within three months, so you should only open the card if you already plan to spend that much.
- Both cards waive your first checked bag fee on JetBlue flights and give you priority boarding, which saves money on every trip.
- Points earned on the card work for flights, seat upgrades, and fees, but you can also transfer them to JetBlue's partner airlines in some cases.
How the sign-up bonus works and what it requires
When you open a JetBlue credit card, the sign-up bonus is usually stated as a number of points or a dollar amount in statement credits. To receive it, you must spend a minimum amount—typically $1,000 to $2,500—within the first three months of opening the account. This is called the spending requirement or minimum spend.
The key thing to understand is that you only get the bonus if you hit that spending target. If you spend $900 and fall short, you receive nothing. This is why the bonus only makes sense if you were already planning to spend that amount anyway. Many people make the mistake of opening the card specifically to get the bonus, then charging purchases they wouldn't normally make just to reach the threshold—that defeats the purpose, because you end up paying interest or annual fees that wipe out the bonus value.
The bonus posts to your account once the spending requirement is met, usually within one to two billing cycles. You can then use those points when ready to book flights or pay for other travel costs.
Annual fees and when they're worth paying
The JetBlue Card typically carries an annual fee, though the amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold and what offer is current. Some offers waive the annual fee for the first year, while others charge it from day one. You should know the fee before you open the card so there are no surprises when your first bill arrives.
Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on how much you fly JetBlue and how much you value the perks. The checked bag waiver alone saves you $35 to $70 per round trip if you check luggage. If you take even two JetBlue flights per year and check a bag, the fee often pays for itself. The priority boarding and other benefits add value on top of that.
If you don't fly JetBlue regularly, the annual fee may not be worth paying. In that case, you would want to close the card after the first year or switch to a different card that has no annual fee.
Earning and redeeming points on everyday purchases
Once you have the card, you earn points on everything you buy—not just JetBlue flights. The earning rate varies by card and by purchase category. You might earn one point per dollar on most purchases and a higher rate on JetBlue flights or dining. The JetBlue Business Card often has different earning rates than the personal card, so check the terms for the specific card you're considering.
Points can be redeemed for JetBlue flights at any price point, which is different from some airline cards that lock you into fixed redemption values. This means you have flexibility: you can use points for a cheap flight or save them up for an expensive one. You can also use points to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related costs on JetBlue.
One thing to watch: points have no cash value. You cannot withdraw them as money or use them for non-travel purchases. If you don't fly JetBlue, the points are harder to use, which is another reason to think carefully before opening this card if travel isn't a regular part of your life.
How this card compares to other airline credit cards
JetBlue's card is one option among many airline cards. Other carriers like Southwest, American, United, and Delta each offer their own cards with their own sign-up bonuses and perks. The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often and which perks matter most to you.
If you fly JetBlue frequently, their card makes sense because the checked bag waiver and priority boarding explore to every trip. If you rarely fly JetBlue but fly other carriers regularly, a different airline card would be more useful. Some people hold multiple airline cards to cover different carriers they use throughout the year.
You should also compare the annual fee, the sign-up bonus amount, and the earning rates across cards before deciding. A card with a higher annual fee might still be worth it if the bonus is much larger or the perks are valuable to you. A card with a lower earning rate might still be the right choice if you fly that airline most often.
Things to know before you open the card
Opening a credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. This is normal and expected, but it's worth knowing about. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, you might want to wait before opening a new credit card.
You'll also need to decide whether to close the card after the first year or keep it open. Closing it saves you the annual fee but can hurt your credit score slightly because it reduces the total credit available to you. Keeping it open costs you the annual fee but maintains your credit history and available credit. Many people keep airline cards open as long as the perks outweigh the fee.
Finally, read the full terms and conditions before you explore. The specific bonus amount, spending requirement, annual fee, and earning rates can all change. The offer you see today might be different from the offer next month, so make sure you understand what you're signing up for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to fly JetBlue to get the sign-up bonus?
No. You get the bonus as long as you meet the spending requirement within the first three months, regardless of whether you use the card to book a JetBlue flight. You can spend the money on groceries, gas, restaurants, or anything else. The bonus is separate from how you use the card after you open it.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your JetBlue account and don't disappear when you close the card. You can continue to use them to book flights or pay for travel costs as long as your JetBlue account remains active. Closing the card doesn't affect your points balance.
Can I get the sign-up bonus more than once?
Most credit card companies have rules about how often you can receive a bonus on the same card. JetBlue typically requires you to wait a certain period—often 24 months—between bonuses on the same card. Check the current terms before explore if you've held a JetBlue card before.
Is the annual fee waived the first year?
This depends on the current offer. Some JetBlue card offers waive the annual fee for the first year, while others charge it when ready. You should confirm the fee structure before you explore so you know exactly what to expect on your first bill.