JetBlue is one of the airlines we fly most often, largely because they have so many nonstop flights from our home airport in Orlando.
Even as the airline industry keeps changing, JetBlue still stands out in a few ways. They were the first to offer free Wi-Fi on every plane, seatback entertainment, decent legroom in economy, and a route network that works well for Florida travelers, all of which help keep us coming back.
And while it’s easy to earn JetBlue TrueBlue points through transfer partners like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards, there are still reasons why the JetBlue Plus Card can make sense for the right traveler.
The JetBlue Plus Card Basics
- Annual Fee: $99
- Earning Rates: 6X on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X on all other purchases
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Barclays regularly changes the welcome offer for the JetBlue Plus Card, so it’s always worth checking the current offer before applying.
If you decide to apply, we’d appreciate it if you used our referral link. Using our link is one way to support the work we do here at Your Mileage May Vary.
The Benefits That Actually Matter
Free Checked Bags
The Primary Cardmember and up to three companions on the same reservation each receive one free checked bag on JetBlue-operated flights.
However, unlike some other airline credit cards, JetBlue requires you to pay for the ticket with the JetBlue Plus Card to receive the benefit.
For a family of four checking bags on a round-trip flight, that perk alone can easily save hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
10% Points Rebate On Award Flights
This is still one of the card’s best long-term benefits.
Whenever you redeem TrueBlue points for a JetBlue-operated award flight, you’ll receive 10% of your points back. Redeem 25,000 points and you’ll eventually get 2,500 points returned to your account.
If you regularly redeem JetBlue points, this perk quietly adds up over time.
5,000 Bonus Points Every Year
Each year after your account anniversary, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus TrueBlue points.
Depending on how you redeem your points, that annual bonus can offset a large portion of the card’s $99 annual fee.
Bonus Earnings on JetBlue Purchases
The JetBlue Plus Card earns 6X TrueBlue points on eligible JetBlue purchases, including flights, JetBlue Vacations packages, and bookings through JetBlue’s travel portal.
You’ll also earn 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, categories where many households spend regularly.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The JetBlue Plus Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a perfectly reasonable card to bring on international trips.
It also supports Chip & PIN transactions, which can still occasionally come in handy at automated kiosks and gas stations in Europe.
What About JetBlue Mosaic Status?
The JetBlue Plus Card can help you earn Tiles toward JetBlue Mosaic status through spending, although most travelers probably won’t put enough spending on the card to earn status entirely from purchases.
Still, it’s worth mentioning because the value equation changes if you already have Mosaic status.
For example, my wife Sharon currently has Mosaic 1 status through JetBlue’s “25 for 25” promotion. Since Mosaic already includes perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, some of the JetBlue Plus Card’s biggest airline benefits overlap with perks she already receives.
In that situation, the card becomes less about travel perks and more about the annual bonus points, the 10% award rebate, and bonus earning categories.
Who The JetBlue Plus Card Makes Sense For
If you fly JetBlue several times a year, especially as a family, the JetBlue Plus Card is still one of the easier airline credit cards to justify keeping long-term.
The combination of free checked bags, anniversary bonus points, and the 10% rebate on award tickets creates ongoing value without requiring complicated coupon-book style credits.
On the other hand, if you rarely fly JetBlue or already receive many of the same benefits through Mosaic status, it becomes more of a “do the math” decision.
That’s especially true now that transferable points from Chase, Amex, and Citi make it easier than ever to collect JetBlue points without holding the airline’s co-branded card.
Final Thoughts
The JetBlue Plus Card isn’t the flashiest airline credit card, and it doesn’t come with luxury lounge access or a long list of lifestyle credits.
But that’s also part of its appeal.
For travelers who regularly fly JetBlue, the card delivers straightforward value that’s relatively easy to use in the real world. Free checked bags, annual bonus points, and a rebate on award flights are benefits that can continue providing value year after year.
And honestly, those kinds of practical long-term perks are becoming harder to find in a card with a sub-$100 annual fee
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