The JetBlue Card Gives You Points on Purchases and Perks Tied to Flying
The JetBlue Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays that earns you points on every purchase you make. Those points convert to JetBlue Airways flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card also includes benefits like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and statement credits for JetBlue purchases — but these perks come with an annual fee, so the card makes the most sense if you fly JetBlue regularly or spend enough on everyday purchases to offset that cost.
JetBlue offers more than one version of this card, and the rewards structure and annual fee differ between them. The most common versions are the JetBlue Card (the standard version) and the JetBlue Plus Card (a premium tier with higher rewards and more perks). Before you decide whether either card fits your situation, you need to understand what each one costs, what it earns, and whether the perks actually save you money based on how you travel.
Key Takeaways
- JetBlue Cards earn points on purchases that you redeem for flights, seat upgrades, and other JetBlue travel products, but the earning rate and annual fee vary by card version.
- Both versions waive your first checked bag on JetBlue flights and give you priority boarding, which saves money if you fly JetBlue at least a few times per year.
- The card includes a statement credit toward JetBlue purchases (the amount depends on which version you have), which can offset part of the annual fee if you use it.
- You earn bonus points when you first open the account, but you must spend a set amount within a set timeframe to receive them — read the offer terms before you explore.
- The card is only useful if you fly JetBlue or book JetBlue flights regularly; points do not transfer to other airlines or have much value outside JetBlue's ecosystem.
How Points Work and What They're Worth
Every dollar you spend on the JetBlue Card earns you points. The earning rate depends on the card version and the type of purchase. For example, the standard JetBlue Card typically earns a higher rate on JetBlue purchases and a lower rate on everything else, while the JetBlue Plus Card earns at a higher rate across all categories. You accumulate these points in your JetBlue account and redeem them when you book a flight or other JetBlue product through their website or app.
The value of each point fluctuates depending on what you redeem it for. A point is worth more when you use it to book an expensive flight during peak travel times and worth less when you book a cheap flight during off-peak times. This means two people earning the same number of points might get very different value from them. To know whether the card's earning rate justifies the annual fee, you need to estimate how much you actually spend on JetBlue flights and other purchases in a year, then calculate whether the points you earn cover the fee.
Annual Fees and Statement Credits
Both versions of the JetBlue Card charge an annual fee. The standard JetBlue Card has a lower annual fee than the JetBlue Plus Card. However, both cards include a statement credit that you can use toward JetBlue purchases — meaning the credit reduces your card bill dollar-for-dollar when you book a flight or buy a gift card through JetBlue. If you use this credit every year, it reduces your true out-of-pocket cost.
The statement credit amount varies by card version. The JetBlue Plus Card offers a higher credit, which is one reason it has a higher annual fee. To figure out whether the card pays for itself, subtract the statement credit from the annual fee. If you fly JetBlue at least once or twice per year and use the credit, the remaining cost is often lower than what you would pay for a checked bag on a single round trip.
Checked Baggage and Boarding Perks
Both JetBlue Card versions waive the fee for your first checked bag on JetBlue flights. This alone saves you money if you check a bag even once per year — JetBlue's checked bag fee is the same as most major carriers. If you travel with a companion, only your bag is free; your companion would still pay unless they also have a JetBlue Card or a JetBlue membership.
The card also gives you priority boarding on every JetBlue flight, which means you board before most other passengers. This does not may provide you a window or aisle seat, but it increases your chances of getting one before the middle seats fill up. The JetBlue Plus Card includes additional boarding benefits beyond the standard card, such as the ability to bring a carry-on bag into the cabin earlier in the boarding process.
Bonus Points When You First Open the Account
JetBlue advertises a sign-up bonus when you open a new card — a large number of points awarded after you spend a certain amount within a certain timeframe. This bonus is often the biggest reward you get from the card in the first year. However, the bonus is only yours if you meet the spending requirement. If you do not spend enough within the timeframe, you do not receive the bonus points.
Before you explore, read the offer terms carefully. The spending requirement is usually stated as a dollar amount (for example, "spend $3,000 in the first three months"), and the bonus points are listed separately. Calculate whether you can realistically spend that amount in that timeframe based on your actual spending habits. If you cannot, the bonus may not be worth pursuing, and the card's ongoing rewards might not justify the annual fee on their own.
When the JetBlue Card Makes Financial Sense
The JetBlue Card is worth considering if you fly JetBlue at least a few times per year, or if you spend a large amount on everyday purchases and want to earn points toward a future JetBlue trip. The checked baggage waiver and priority boarding alone save money for frequent JetBlue travelers. The statement credit reduces your annual cost. And if you can meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement without changing your normal spending habits, the bonus points give you a head start toward a free or discounted flight.
The card is not worth it if you rarely fly JetBlue, do not check bags, or prefer to book flights with other airlines. Points earned on the card cannot be transferred to other airlines or used for non-JetBlue travel, so the card's value is entirely dependent on JetBlue's route network and pricing. If another airline serves your home airport better or offers flights you prefer, a different airline's credit card might be a better fit.
How the Card Affects Your Credit
Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. The inquiry typically falls off your report after two years and stops affecting your score after about one year. If you have recently applied for other credit (a mortgage, auto loan, or other cards), adding another hard inquiry might lower your score more noticeably, so timing matters.
Once the card is open, your credit score can improve or decline depending on how you use it. If you charge purchases and pay the full balance each month, you build a record of on-time payments and responsible credit use, which helps your score over time. If you carry a balance and pay interest, or if you miss a payment, the card will hurt your score. The card's credit limit also affects your overall credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are using — so a higher limit can help your score if you keep your balance low.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use JetBlue Card points to book flights on other airlines?
No. JetBlue points can only be redeemed for JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, gift cards, and other JetBlue products. They do not transfer to other airlines or have value outside JetBlue's ecosystem. This is a major limitation if you fly multiple airlines or want flexibility in how you use your rewards.
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. However, JetBlue may close your account if you do not use it for an extended period (typically 12 months or more of inactivity), which could result in forfeiture of points. Check JetBlue's current policy before closing the card.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee is charged every year on the anniversary of when you opened the account. You can cancel the card before the anniversary date to avoid paying the fee, but you will lose access to the card's benefits and any remaining points may be at risk if your account closes. Some cardholders cancel and reopen the card to capture the sign-up bonus again, though Barclays may have restrictions on this.
What if I have a JetBlue Plus Card — is it worth the higher annual fee?
The JetBlue Plus Card is worth it if you fly JetBlue frequently enough to use the higher statement credit and additional boarding perks. The higher earning rate on all purchases also adds up if you spend a lot on the card. Compare the annual fee difference, the credit difference, and your expected earning and redemption to decide which version fits your situation.
Can I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. Annual fees do not earn points on most credit cards, including the JetBlue Card. The fee is a separate charge and does not count toward your spending or earning rate.