The JetBlue card makes sense if you fly JetBlue regularly and want to offset ticket costs with points — but only if you use the rewards enough to cover the annual fee
JetBlue offers two main credit cards: the JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Plus Card. The standard JetBlue Card has no annual fee and earns points on every purchase. The JetBlue Plus Card costs $99 per year and earns more points per dollar spent, plus an annual free flight voucher. Whether either card is worth it depends on how much you fly JetBlue, how much you spend on the card, and whether you actually redeem the rewards you earn.
The core question is straightforward: will the points you earn cover the annual fee (if you choose the Plus) and give you more value than a cash-back card would? For most people who fly JetBlue at least a few times per year, the answer is yes. For people who rarely fly or never fly JetBlue, the answer is no.
Key Takeaways
- The JetBlue Plus Card's $99 annual fee is offset by an annual free flight voucher worth roughly $100 to $150, making the card essentially free if you use that voucher.
- You earn points faster on the Plus Card (5.5 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 3 points per dollar on everything else) than the standard JetBlue Card (3 points per dollar on JetBlue, 1 point per dollar elsewhere).
- JetBlue points are worth roughly 1 cent each when redeemed for flights, so 10,000 points equals about $100 in ticket value.
- The card only makes financial sense if you fly JetBlue at least twice per year or spend enough on the card to earn points that exceed the annual fee.
- A cash-back card earning 2% on all purchases will beat a JetBlue card if you don't redeem the points for JetBlue flights.
How the two JetBlue cards compare
The standard JetBlue Card charges no annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. There is no sign-up bonus. This card is useful only if you fly JetBlue occasionally and want to earn points without paying a yearly cost.
The JetBlue Plus Card costs $99 per year and earns 5.5 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 3 points per dollar on dining and gas, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. It also includes an annual free flight voucher (called a "Mint Upgrade Certificate" or free domestic round-trip, depending on the current offer) that typically covers a flight worth $100 to $150. This voucher alone nearly covers the annual fee, which is why the Plus Card is the better deal for most regular JetBlue flyers.
Both cards give you a checked bag free, priority boarding, and other perks that frequent flyers value. The Plus Card's perks are slightly better, but the annual fee is the deciding factor for most people.
When the annual fee pays for itself
The $99 annual fee on the Plus Card is not actually a cost if you use the free flight voucher. Most cardholders receive a voucher worth $100 to $150 each year, which means the fee is covered when ready. The real question is whether the extra points you earn (compared to the no-fee card or a cash-back card) add up to real value.
Here is a concrete example: suppose you spend $10,000 per year on the JetBlue Plus Card, with $3,000 on JetBlue purchases and $7,000 on other categories. You would earn 16,500 points (5.5 × 3,000 plus 1 × 7,000). At roughly 1 cent per point, that is $165 in flight value. Add the free flight voucher ($125), and your total reward value is $290 against a $99 fee — a net gain of $191.
If you spent the same $10,000 on a 2% cash-back card, you would earn $200 in cash. The JetBlue card wins by $90 in this scenario, but only because you value the free flight voucher and actually use the points for JetBlue flights.
What JetBlue points are actually worth
JetBlue points are not worth a fixed amount. Their value depends on the flight you book. A short flight from New York to Boston might cost 5,000 points, while a longer flight from New York to Los Angeles might cost 15,000 points. This is called dynamic pricing, and it means the same number of points can buy different amounts of travel depending on demand and route.
On average, JetBlue points are worth about 1 cent each when redeemed for flights. This means 10,000 points equals roughly $100 in ticket value. However, you may find flights where points are worth less (0.8 cents per point on a cheap route) or more (1.5 cents per point on an expensive route). The only way to know the true value of your points is to search for actual flights and see what they cost in points versus cash.
If you redeem points for anything other than flights — such as gift cards or merchandise — they are typically worth less, around 0.5 to 0.8 cents each. This is why the card only makes sense if you plan to use points for actual flights.
The sign-up bonus and how to use it
JetBlue periodically offers sign-up bonuses on both cards, though the standard card rarely has one. The Plus Card often includes a bonus of 50,000 to 70,000 points if you spend a certain amount (usually $1,000 to $2,000) in the first few months. This bonus alone is worth $500 to $700 in flight value, which makes the card extremely valuable in year one.
The catch is that sign-up bonuses change frequently and are not always available. Before opening the card, check the JetBlue website or a major credit card comparison site to see if a bonus is currently offered. If there is no bonus, the card is still worth it for regular flyers, but the first-year value is lower.
To maximize the sign-up bonus, plan your spending carefully. If you were already planning to spend $1,500 on a credit card in the next three months, explore for the JetBlue Plus Card and use it for those purchases to hit the bonus threshold. Do not spend money you would not otherwise spend just to reach the bonus — that defeats the purpose.
When a JetBlue card does not make sense
A JetBlue card is not worth it if you fly other airlines more often than JetBlue, rarely fly at all, or live far from a JetBlue hub. JetBlue operates mainly from New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, and Long Beach. If you live in Denver or Phoenix, you may have few JetBlue flights to choose from, which means your points will be harder to use.
A JetBlue card is also not worth it if you value cash-back rewards over airline points. A flat 2% cash-back card will earn you $200 on $10,000 in spending, with no annual fee and no restrictions on how you use the money. If you are not certain you will redeem JetBlue points for flights, a cash-back card is the safer choice.
Finally, if you have a low credit score or are working to rebuild credit, opening a new card is not the right move. The impact on your credit score from a new account is temporary, but the risk of overspending to earn rewards is real. Focus on paying down existing debt first.
How to decide: a straightforward checklist
Ask yourself these questions to determine if a JetBlue card is right for you:
- Do you fly JetBlue at least twice per year, or do you plan to?
- Do you live in or near a JetBlue hub (New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, or Long Beach)?
- Will you redeem points for JetBlue flights, or would you prefer cash-back?
- Do you spend enough on a credit card each month to earn points that exceed the annual fee?
- Is your credit score above 670, and do you have no recent missed payments?
If you answered yes to at least three of these questions, the JetBlue Plus Card is likely worth it. If you answered yes to fewer than three, a cash-back card or no new card at all is the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use JetBlue points on other airlines?
No. JetBlue points can only be redeemed for JetBlue flights, JetBlue partner airline flights (like American Airlines), or non-travel purchases like gift cards. If you want flexibility to use points on any airline, you need a general travel rewards card instead.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points do not disappear when ready, but JetBlue's policy allows them to expire if you have no JetBlue account activity for 12 months. If you close the card and do not fly JetBlue within a year, you will lose your points. Keep the card open or redeem your points before closing it.
Is the annual free flight voucher really free?
Yes, but it has restrictions. The voucher typically covers a domestic round-trip flight and cannot be combined with other discounts. You still pay taxes and fees (usually $5 to $15). The voucher expires after one year, so you must use it or lose it.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?
It depends on your spending. If you spend $3,000 per year on the JetBlue Plus Card, you will earn roughly 16,500 points, which covers a short domestic flight. A longer flight might require 20,000 to 30,000 points, which could take six months to a year of regular spending.
Will opening this card hurt my credit score?
A new credit card process will lower your score by 5 to 10 points temporarily due to a hard inquiry. Opening the account itself will lower it slightly more because it reduces your average account age. These impacts fade within a few months, and your score will recover if you pay on time.