What JetBlue credit cards offer and who they suit
JetBlue offers two main credit cards through Barclays: the JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Plus Card. Both earn points on every purchase you make, and those points convert directly into JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees. The main difference is that the Plus Card charges an annual fee but comes with a higher sign-up bonus and extra perks like a free checked bag on every flight you take.
These cards make sense if you fly JetBlue regularly or plan to. If you take one or two JetBlue flights a year and fly other airlines the rest of the time, a general rewards card might serve you better. But if JetBlue is your primary airline — or if you live on the East Coast where JetBlue has dense service — the points accumulate fast enough to cover a free flight within a year or two of normal spending.
Both cards also give you priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers and can claim overhead bin space. On a full flight, this alone saves you the hassle of gate-checking your carry-on.
Key Takeaways
- JetBlue's no-annual-fee card earns points on all purchases and covers the cost of a flight every 18 to 24 months for an average spender, with no yearly fee to pay.
- The JetBlue Plus Card charges $95 per year but includes a free checked bag on every flight, a higher sign-up bonus, and faster point earning on JetBlue purchases.
- Both cards give you priority boarding on every JetBlue flight, which guarantees overhead bin space and earlier boarding than most passengers.
- Points never expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 12 months.
- You can use points to pay for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other JetBlue services — you are not locked into flights alone.
The JetBlue Card (no annual fee)
The standard JetBlue Card charges no annual fee and earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases. That means a $3,000 annual spending total gives you 3,000 points, which is roughly one domestic round-trip flight depending on the route. Most people spend more than that on groceries, gas, and everyday bills, so the card typically pays for itself within 18 to 24 months of regular use.
The sign-up bonus is usually 10,000 to 15,000 points (the exact amount changes periodically), which covers a short flight or a portion of a longer one. You earn this bonus after you spend a set amount in the first three months — typically $500 to $1,000. That spending requirement is real money you would spend anyway, not a manufactured threshold, so it is not a barrier for most people.
You also get a free checked bag on every flight, which saves you $35 to $40 per round trip if you normally check luggage. Over two or three trips a year, that benefit alone covers the card's cost even if you never earned a single point.
The JetBlue Plus Card (annual fee)
The JetBlue Plus Card costs $95 per year and is built for people who fly JetBlue at least a few times annually. The sign-up bonus is higher — usually 30,000 to 50,000 points — which covers a full domestic flight or a good chunk of a longer one. You also earn points faster: 2 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
The real advantage is the free checked bag benefit. Because you get one free checked bag on every JetBlue flight, you save $35 to $40 per round trip. If you take just three round trips a year, that is $210 to $240 in savings — which already covers the $95 annual fee and leaves you ahead. Add in the higher earning rate on JetBlue purchases, and the math works for anyone flying JetBlue more than twice a year.
The Plus Card also includes a $50 JetBlue statement credit once per year, which you can use toward any JetBlue purchase. That credit effectively reduces your annual fee to $45 if you use it.
How points work and what you can do with them
JetBlue points are called TrueBlue points, and they sit in a loyalty account tied to your JetBlue frequent flyer membership. Every purchase on your credit card deposits points into that account automatically. You do not have to do anything to move them or set up them — they are there and ready to use.
Points convert into flights at a rate that depends on the route and how far in advance you book. A short flight like New York to Boston might cost 5,000 points, while a cross-country flight could cost 15,000 to 25,000 points. Peak travel dates cost more points than off-peak dates. You can see the exact point cost for any flight before you book, so there are no surprises.
You can also use points to pay for seat upgrades (usually 2,500 to 5,000 points per upgrade), baggage fees, and even gift cards. Some people save points for a big trip rather than using them for small purchases, while others redeem as soon as they have enough for a flight. There is no penalty for either approach — points do not expire as long as you use your card at least once every 12 months.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs
The standard JetBlue Card has no annual fee. The Plus Card charges $95 per year, billed to your credit card statement on your card anniversary date. If you close the card, you are not charged a prorated fee — you straightforward stop paying it.
Both cards charge a standard purchase APR (annual percentage rate) that varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. JetBlue does not publish a fixed rate, so you will see your actual rate in your card agreement after you are approved. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR. The way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.
There are no foreign transaction fees on either card, which means you can use it internationally without a currency conversion penalty. That is useful if you take a JetBlue flight to the Caribbean or Mexico and want to use the card while you are there.
Priority boarding and other cardholder benefits
Both the standard card and the Plus Card include priority boarding on every JetBlue flight. This means you board in an earlier group than most passengers, which guarantees you overhead bin space for a carry-on bag. On full flights, this is genuinely valuable — passengers who board late often have to gate-check their bags and wait at baggage claim.
The Plus Card also includes a complimentary upgrade certificate once per year, which you can use to upgrade a seat to a premium cabin (like Mint, JetBlue's premium transcontinental product). The upgrade is subject to availability, so it is not may provide, but it gives you a chance at a better seat without spending points.
Neither card includes travel insurance, roadside information, or other protections that some airline cards offer. If those features matter to you, compare the JetBlue cards against competitors before you decide.
When a JetBlue card makes sense versus other options
A JetBlue card is the right choice if JetBlue is your primary airline or if you live in a city where JetBlue has frequent service. The points accumulate fast enough that you will see a tangible benefit within a year. If you fly JetBlue once every two years and use other airlines the rest of the time, a general cash-back card or a different airline card might give you more value.
The Plus Card specifically makes sense if you fly JetBlue at least three times per year. The free checked bag benefit alone covers the annual fee, and the higher earning rate on JetBlue purchases stacks on top of that. If you fly JetBlue once or twice a year, the standard card's no-fee structure is better — you get the same priority boarding and free checked bag without paying $95 annually.
One more consideration: if you have a low credit score, you may not be approved for either card. JetBlue cards typically require a good credit score (usually 670 or higher, though the exact threshold varies). If you are building credit, a secured card or a card designed for fair credit might be a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do JetBlue points expire?
Points do not expire as long as your account stays active and you use your card at least once every 12 months. If you do not use the card for 12 consecutive months, JetBlue may close the account and forfeit your points. Using the card for even a small purchase — like a $5 coffee — resets the clock.
Can I use points on flights booked by someone else?
Yes. You can book a flight for anyone using your points, as long as you are the one making the reservation. The person flying does not need to be a cardholder or even have a JetBlue account — you can create one for them or add them to your reservation.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your JetBlue frequent flyer account even after you close the card. You can still use them to book flights. However, you will lose the priority boarding benefit and the free checked bag benefit once the card is closed.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?
No. You can earn as many points as you want. Some credit card companies cap earning on certain categories, but JetBlue does not. Spend $100,000 on the card and you earn 100,000 points (on the standard card) or 200,000 points (on the Plus Card, depending on how much was JetBlue purchases).
Can I transfer points to another airline?
No. JetBlue points can only be used for JetBlue flights, upgrades, and JetBlue-related purchases. You cannot transfer them to another airline's program or convert them to cash.