JetBlue Plus Card Review: Is It Worth It?
JetBlue Plus Card Review: Is It Worth It?
The JetBlue Plus Card offers excellent rewards and travel perks for a moderate annual fee.
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Quick facts
More details
Rates & fees
- Credit needed: 720 - 850
- Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
- Earning rate: Earn 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $99
- Foreign transaction fee: 0%
- Other benefits: First checked bag free, 50% in-flight savings, $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations reimbursement, Mosaic benefits after spending $50,000 annually, 5,000 bonus points after every account anniversary, ability to pool points
Quick facts
- Credit needed: 720 - 850
- Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
- Earning rate: Earn 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Annual fee: $99
- Foreign transaction fee: 0%
- Other benefits: First checked bag free, 50% in-flight savings, $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations reimbursement, Mosaic benefits after spending $50,000 annually, 5,000 bonus points after every account anniversary, ability to pool points
More details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
- Earn 6 points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights & redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights. Points required for an Award Flight will vary based on the published base fare at the time of booking.
- Points awarded in your TrueBlue account don't expire. Earn and share points together with Family Pooling
- Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary
- 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases like cocktails and food & the primary cardmember's first checked bag is free on JetBlue-operated flights
- Enjoy all TrueBlue Mosaic benefits for one year after you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card
- Enjoy a $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card
Rates & fees
- Intro Purchase APR: N/A
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.99%, 22.99% or 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary based on the Prime Market Rate.
- Intro BT APR: 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
- Regular BT APR: 18.99%, 22.99% or 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary based on the Prime Market Rate.
- Annual Fee: $99
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Pros
Cons
Is the JetBlue Plus Card worth it?
For travelers who regularly fly with JetBlue, the JetBlue Plus Card can definitely be worth it. In addition to a valuable sign-up bonus and a strong earning rate, cardholders also get one free checked bag per flight, save 50% on in-flight food and beverage purchases and can pool points with friends and family members. You'll also receive 5,000 bonus points after each account anniversary and enjoy several other cardmember benefits. This card charges a 0% foreign transaction fee, which makes it more traveler-friendly, particularly for those who take frequent international trips.
The JetBlue Plus Card comes with a $99 annual fee. This is moderate compared to what many other airline credit cards charge. However, if you'd rather choose a card that doesn't charge any annual fee, consider the JetBlue Card instead. Furthermore, if you don't frequently fly with JetBlue or its partner airlines, you might consider a general, non-co-branded travel rewards credit card.
Who is the JetBlue Plus Card best for?
The JetBlue Plus Card is best for travelers who often fly with JetBlue and can take advantage of its many perks. Those who book trips with JetBlue Vacations and spend heavily on their card will benefit most from this card, as you'll be able to enjoy Mosaic benefits when you spend $50,000 on your card annually and you'll get an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your card.
Sign-up bonus
The JetBlue Plus Card offers new cardholders an attainable and valuable sign-up bonus:
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
That breaks down to about $333 in credit card spend per month, which can be doable for many, especially if you tend to charge a lot of your regular expenses each month. If the points you redeem are worth 1.6 cents each, that bonus would amount to $960 in value.
How easy is the bonus to redeem? Read more below
How much is it worth? Around $960.
Who is eligible to earn it? You won't be eligible to earn this offer if you currently have or have previously had this card. If your account is suspected to be used for gaming or abusive activity you also will not be eligible for this offer.
Earning rate
The JetBlue Plus Card offers cardholders an impressive rewards rate:
Earn 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases.
Points don't expire as long as your account is open, there's no cap on the amount you can earn and there are no blackout dates when you redeem points for JetBlue flights.
These earning categories are not only great for frequent JetBlue flyers, but they're also ideal for everyday spending, making this card useful for day-to-day purchases.
Redeeming rewards
The number of JetBlue points required for an award flight is linked directly to the price of the fare and can range widely depending on the price: from around 9,900 points for an economy flight to around 120,000 points for a first class flight.
JetBlue TrueBlue points are simple to redeem and have a fairly high value (around 1.6 cents per point, as mentioned). The JetBlue rewards program is pretty straightforward — you'll get the same value per point for most award flights — making it a good choice for those who prefer simple rewards.
You have a few options for redeeming your JetBlue points:
- The base fare of JetBlue operated and marketed award flights (you'll have to pay out of pocket for any taxes and fees)
- A combination of points and cash for award flights
- JetBlue Vacations packages
You can also pool rewards from several accounts (those of friends or family members, for example) to accumulate and redeem more rewards that way.
On the downside, JetBlue's redemption options are limited when compared to programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which allow you to flexibly transfer your points to any of their many travel partners, often for a more valuable rate. While JetBlue does have a variety of airline partners, there are restrictions on your ability to use your points to book those flights. You are able to earn JetBlue points when you purchase flights with select partner airlines, but of the available partners, you can only redeem JetBlue points for flights on Hawaiian Airlines.
Introductory APR for balance transfers
The JetBlue Plus Card offers a 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.. After that, the balance transfer APR is 18.99%, 22.99% or 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary based on the Prime Market Rate., depending on your creditworthiness.
However, balance transfers also come with a fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. So while you can temporarily avoid paying interest on transferred balances, you'll want to make sure you can pay off the balance before the introductory period ends.
Other JetBlue Plus Card benefits
If you spend $50,000 or more per calendar year on your card, you'll earn JetBlue Mosaic benefits. When you qualify for Mosaic loyalty status, you’ll earn 15,000 bonus TrueBlue points. Other perks include:
- An extra 3 TrueBlue points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights (on top of the points you already earn as a TrueBlue member)
- Free access to the Even More Speed program, which helps you get through the security checkpoint faster (where available)
- Select seats with more space for free 24 hours before departure
- Second free checked bag
- Early boarding
- Free wine, beer and liquor
- Free same-day switches and more
The JetBlue Plus Card grants cardholders a free first checked bag, offering a potential total savings of $70 per round-trip flight. If you fly JetBlue several times per year, this benefit can end up saving you hundreds of dollars on baggage fees annually.
Cardholders can enjoy a 50% discount on eligible in-flight food and drink purchases. While this isn't a massive benefit, it's nice to save money on food and drinks while you're in the air.
Every year after your account anniversary, JetBlue Plus Card cardholders will earn 5,000 bonus points. This is a nice perk that can help to offset the card's annual fee. Because we value JetBlue points at about 1.6 cents a piece, we value these additional 5,000 points at about $80, which makes up for nearly the entire $99 annual fee.
The JetBlue Plus Card comes with $0 fraud liability protection, which means you won't be held responsible for fraudulent charges made on your card. This is an essential benefit for those seeking security and peace of mind.
When you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more using your JetBlue Plus Card, you'll receive a $100 statement credit, which applies annually. For JetBlue Vacations users, this is a great benefit you can apply every year.
Drawbacks
- $99 annual fee — An obvious drawback to the JetBlue Plus Card is that it charges a $99 annual fee. However, several of the perks available with this card work to offset the fee. That said, if you'd prefer not to pay an annual fee at all, there are several great no-annual-fee credit cards available to choose from instead.
- Some travel perks require additional effort — In order to obtain the annual $100 statement credit, for example, you'll first need to purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of that amount or more. To get JetBlue Mosaic benefits, you'll need to spend $50,000 or more per calendar year on your card. While some of the perks that come with this card are automatic, not all of them are.
- Limited redemption options — Cardholders are restricted to redeeming their points for flights on JetBlue or vacation packages through JetBlue Vacations. While JetBlue does have a number of airline partners, you're only able to redeem your points for flights on Hawaiian Airlines.
Alternatives to the JetBlue Plus Card
If you're looking for a card that doesn't charge an annual fee, or if you'd prefer a non-co -branded credit card that offers general travel rewards, there are other options you may want to consider.
View more cards
JetBlue Plus Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Verdict: A great option for general travel rewards
Those interested in using rewards for multiple airlines might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which can be redeemed with multiple airline and hotel rewards programs.
With this card, you can earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases. However, your points are worth 25% more if you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Also, you'll Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® This card charges a comparable $95 annual fee to the JetBlue Plus Card's $99.
JetBlue Plus Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Verdict: A top choice for a general travel credit card with high flat rate rewards
If you're looking for a general travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can be a great option. This card comes with solid travel perks, including a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and offers a strong rewards rate across all purchases. It lets cardholders earn unlimited 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
JetBlue Plus Card vs. American Express® Gold Card
Verdict: An excellent luxury travel rewards card for everyday spending
Compared to the JetBlue Plus Card, the American Express® Gold Card puts slightly more emphasis on dining out and groceries than it does on travel spending.
Cardholders can Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), and 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Terms apply. You can also earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. This card does come with a $250 annual fee. However, you'll stack up valuable Membership Rewards points on most of your food purchases, which can easily justify the fee each year. The card comes with other great perks, including up to a $120 credit ($10 per month) on select dining purchases (enrollment required).
For rates and fees of American Express® Gold Card, please click here
Should you get the JetBlue Plus Card?
The JetBlue Plus Card is a top option for avid travelers who want to capitalize on their adventures with JetBlue. The card gives you the opportunity for savings with JetBlue, such as a free checked bag on each flight and 50% off in-flight cocktail and food purchases. If you're able to take advantage of the strong earning rate, high sign-up bonus and additional perks that come with this card, it can be a great addition to your wallet.
However, if you rarely fly JetBlue or would prefer a more flexible rewards credit card, there are a number of other great options to choose from as well.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do you need for the JetBlue Plus Card?
The JetBlue Plus Card requires a 720 - 850 credit score. You'll want to check your score before applying to improve your chances of acceptance.
What does the JetBlue Plus Card include?
The JetBlue Plus Card includes a number of cardholder benefits, including a stellar sign-up bonus, a strong earning rate, and travel perks like a free checked bag and 5,000 bonus points after every account anniversary.
Does the JetBlue Plus Card have an annual fee?
Yes, the JetBlue Plus Card charges a $99 annual fee.
How much is 60,000 JetBlue points worth?
Because we value JetBlue points at about 1.6 cents each, 60,000 JetBlue points is worth about $960.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
For rates and fees of American Express® Gold Card, please click here
The information related to Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and JetBlue Plus Card has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
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How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.
Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).