What the JetBlue Card is and who issues it
The JetBlue Card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express in partnership with JetBlue Airways. American Express is the card issuer — they approve your account, set your credit limit, and handle billing. JetBlue is the airline partner that determines what rewards you earn and how you use them on flights.
The card comes in two versions: the standard JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Plus Card. The Plus version has a higher annual fee but offers more rewards and perks. Both cards earn points on every purchase, with bonus points on JetBlue flights and American Express purchases.
You do not need to be a frequent JetBlue flyer to open one. American Express will review your credit history, income, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. The card is designed for people who fly JetBlue regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday spending.
Key Takeaways
- The JetBlue Card is issued by American Express and earns points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on JetBlue flights and American Express merchants.
- The standard card has an annual fee; the JetBlue Plus Card has a higher annual fee but includes perks like a checked bag credit and seat selection.
- Points can be redeemed for JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to partner airlines, but have no cash value.
- You can check your may be able to access and see the card terms before you submit your information to American Express.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so opening it will lower your credit score slightly in the short term.
Annual fees and what they cover
The standard JetBlue Card charges an annual fee that renews each year on your account anniversary. The JetBlue Plus Card charges a higher annual fee. Both fees are charged whether you use the card or not.
The Plus Card's higher fee includes concrete benefits: an annual checked bag credit (worth $35 on JetBlue flights), complimentary seat selection on all JetBlue flights, and a statement credit toward JetBlue purchases. The standard card does not include these perks, though you do earn points on all spending.
You can see the exact annual fee amounts on the card's terms page before you submit your information to American Express. Fees vary based on current promotions, so check the offer you are viewing rather than relying on a number from another source.
How points are earned and what they are worth
Every dollar you spend on the JetBlue Card earns points. The earning rate depends on what you buy: you earn a higher rate on JetBlue flights and American Express merchants, and a lower rate on everything else. The exact rates are listed on the card's terms page.
Points have no cash value. You cannot convert them to dollars or use them outside the JetBlue program. They can only be redeemed for JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to JetBlue's airline partners (which include airlines like Emirates and Turkish Airlines, though the list changes).
The value of a point depends on how you redeem it. A point used for a domestic flight might be worth 1 cent per point, while the same point used for an international flight might be worth 2 cents or more. Redeeming points for premium cabin seats or partner airline flights often gives you better value than redeeming for economy flights.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
The JetBlue Card often comes with a sign-up bonus: a large number of points awarded after you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe (usually three to six months). The bonus is paid once, not every year.
The spending requirement is a real dollar amount you must charge to the card — not a minimum balance you must carry. If the requirement is $1,000, you need to put $1,000 in purchases on the card within the timeframe. Fees, interest charges, and balance transfers typically do not count toward the requirement.
Sign-up bonuses change frequently and vary by offer. The bonus you see when you click on the card may be different from the bonus someone else sees, or different from the bonus available next month. Check the specific offer you are viewing for the exact bonus amount and spending requirement.
How to open an account
Visit the American Express website or the JetBlue website and locate the card offer. Read the terms and annual fee, then click the button to start your account. American Express will ask for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information.
American Express uses this information to check your credit report and decide whether to approve you. You will receive a decision when ready or within a few minutes — some applications are approved on the spot, while others go to a review team. If you are approved, your card will ship within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, American Express will send you a letter explaining the reason. You can call the number on the letter to ask questions or request reconsideration. If you are approved but offered a lower credit limit than you expected, you can ask for a review after six months of responsible use.
Using points and redeeming for flights
Log into your JetBlue account online or through the JetBlue app to see your points balance. When you book a flight on JetBlue's website, you can choose to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both. You can also call JetBlue to book with points if you prefer to speak with someone.
Points are deducted from your account when ready when you complete the booking. If you cancel the flight, the points are returned to your account. If you change the flight to a different date or route, you may owe additional points or receive points back, depending on the price difference.
You can transfer points to JetBlue's partner airlines, though the transfer process takes several business days and points cannot be transferred back once sent. Partner redemptions often require more points than JetBlue flights for the same route, so compare the cost before you transfer.
How the card affects your credit and what to expect
Opening a new credit card will lower your credit score by a small amount in the short term. American Express performs a hard inquiry into your credit report, which typically reduces your score by 5 to 10 points. This effect fades over time and disappears after about six months.
Your new account will also lower your average account age, which is a factor in credit scoring. If you have older accounts in good standing, this effect is usually small. If this is your first credit card or you have very few accounts, the impact may be larger.
Over time, responsible use of the card — making on-time payments and keeping your balance low — will help your credit score recover and grow. Missing payments or carrying a high balance will damage your score and may result in a higher interest rate or account closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the JetBlue Card on airlines other than JetBlue?
Yes. The card works like any other American Express card and can be used anywhere American Express is accepted. You will earn the standard earning rate on non-JetBlue purchases. Points earned can only be redeemed for JetBlue flights or transferred to JetBlue's partner airlines — they cannot be used on other airlines directly.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your JetBlue account and do not disappear when you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for flights as long as your JetBlue account is active. However, JetBlue's terms state that accounts with no activity for 24 months may be closed, which could result in points being forfeited.
Is there an interest rate, and what happens if I carry a balance?
Yes. The JetBlue Card charges interest on balances you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR) is based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can see the range of possible rates on the card's terms page before you explore. Paying your full statement balance by the due date avoids interest charges.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already have a JetBlue Card?
American Express has rules about how often you can earn sign-up bonuses on the same card. These rules change, so check American Express's current bonus policy before you explore. Generally, you cannot earn a bonus on the same card within a certain timeframe, though you may be able to earn a bonus on the other version (standard to Plus, or vice versa).
What if I have a question about my points or account?
Contact American Express for questions about your card account, billing, or credit limit. Contact JetBlue for questions about your points balance, redeeming points, or JetBlue-specific benefits. Both companies have phone numbers and online chat available on their websites.