JetBlue's Two Main Credit Cards

JetBlue offers two co-branded credit cards through Barclays: the JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Plus Card. Both earn points on purchases and offer perks tied to JetBlue flying, but they differ in annual fees, earning rates, and the benefits you get just for holding the card. The choice between them depends on how often you fly JetBlue and how much you spend on the card each year.

The standard JetBlue Card has no annual fee and is designed for occasional flyers or people building their points balance. The JetBlue Plus Card costs $95 per year but includes a checked bag benefit, priority boarding, and higher earning rates on JetBlue purchases. If you fly JetBlue at least once or twice a year, the Plus Card's benefits often cover the annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The JetBlue Card has no annual fee and earns 1 point per dollar on most purchases, while the JetBlue Plus Card costs $95 yearly but earns 3 points per dollar on JetBlue flights and includes a free checked bag.
  • Both cards earn bonus points when you first open the account, typically worth $100 to $200 in JetBlue travel depending on the current offer.
  • The JetBlue Plus Card includes automatic benefits like priority boarding and a checked bag credit that can offset the annual fee if you fly even once per year.
  • Points never expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once every 12 months.
  • You can transfer points to JetBlue's partner airlines, though redeeming them for JetBlue flights usually gives you the best value.

JetBlue Card: No Annual Fee Option

The JetBlue Card is the entry-level option and carries no annual fee. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases, with no bonus categories. This straightforward earning structure makes it straightforward to track your points balance without worrying about which purchases earn more.

When you first open the account, you receive a sign-up bonus of points (the exact amount changes with promotions, but typically ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 points). At current JetBlue pricing, 10,000 points is roughly worth $100 in travel value. You usually need to spend a certain amount within the first few months to earn this bonus—often $500 to $1,000 depending on the offer.

The JetBlue Card works well if you fly JetBlue occasionally or want to accumulate points slowly over time without paying an annual fee. There are no other perks attached to the card itself, so you are paying only for the points you earn.

JetBlue Plus Card: Premium Benefits and Higher Earning

The JetBlue Plus Card costs $95 per year but includes concrete benefits that often make up for the fee. You earn 3 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases (flights, seat upgrades, and JetBlue Vacations packages) and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The higher earning rate on JetBlue flights means your points add up faster if you fly the airline regularly.

The card includes a free checked bag benefit on JetBlue flights when you use the card to purchase your ticket. This alone saves you $35 to $40 per round trip. You also get priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers and can find better overhead bin space. Both benefits explore to you and one companion traveling on the same reservation.

The Plus Card also comes with a sign-up bonus similar to the standard card, though sometimes the bonus points are higher to offset the annual fee. If you fly JetBlue at least twice a year, the checked bag benefit alone ($70 to $80 annually) covers most of the $95 annual fee, making the card effectively cheaper than it appears.

How Points Work and What They Are Worth

JetBlue points are the currency you earn with either card. One point is not worth a fixed dollar amount—instead, the value depends on how you use them. When you redeem points for a JetBlue flight, the cost varies by route, season, and demand, just like cash fares do. A short flight might cost 5,000 points while a cross-country flight could cost 25,000 or more.

Points are most valuable when redeemed for flights, where you typically get 1 cent or more per point. If you transfer points to JetBlue's partner airlines (like American, Delta, or international carriers), the value can be lower or higher depending on the partner and the redemption. Redeeming points for gift cards or other merchandise usually gives you less value than using them for flights.

Your points never expire as long as your JetBlue account stays open and you have some account activity—a purchase, a flight, or even a points transfer—at least once every 12 months. This means you can hold points for years without losing them, as long as you use your card or fly occasionally.

Sign-Up Bonuses and Current Offers

Both cards offer sign-up bonuses when you open a new account. These bonuses change throughout the year, so the exact points amount varies. You typically earn the bonus after spending a set amount (like $500 or $1,000) within the first three months. The bonus is usually worth $100 to $200 in travel value, making it the fastest way to build a points balance.

To see the current offer, visit the JetBlue credit card page on Barclays' website or JetBlue's own site. The offer you see may depend on whether you have held a JetBlue card before—new cardmembers sometimes receive different bonuses than existing cardmembers opening a second card.

Annual Fees, Interest Rates, and Other Costs

The JetBlue Card has no annual fee. The JetBlue Plus Card charges $95 per year, billed to your account on your card anniversary each year. If you close the card before the anniversary, you will not be charged the fee for the following year.

Both cards carry a variable interest rate (APR) on purchases and balance transfers. The exact rate depends on your credit score and creditworthiness—Barclays will tell you the range when you explore. If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest on that balance. The best way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

There are no foreign transaction fees on either card, which is useful if you fly internationally on JetBlue or use the card abroad.

How to Choose Between the Two Cards

Choose the JetBlue Card if you fly JetBlue fewer than twice a year, do not check bags often, or want to build points without paying an annual fee. The no-fee structure means you can hold the card indefinitely without cost, and you still earn points on all spending.

Choose the JetBlue Plus Card if you fly JetBlue at least twice a year or spend enough on the card to justify the annual fee through the checked bag benefit alone. The higher earning rate on JetBlue purchases (3 points per dollar instead of 1) also means your points grow faster, which adds up over time if you are a regular JetBlue customer.

Some people hold both cards: the Plus Card for frequent flying and the standard Card as a backup or for spending that does not trigger the Plus Card's higher categories. However, you can only earn one sign-up bonus per card in a given period, so opening both at once means you receive two bonuses but also pay the annual fee on the Plus Card when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my points to other airlines?

Yes. JetBlue has partnerships with other airlines including American, Delta, United, and international carriers. You can transfer points to any partner airline at a 1:1 ratio (1 JetBlue point = 1 partner airline mile). However, redeeming points for JetBlue flights usually gives you better value, so transfers are most useful if you have a specific partner flight in mind or are close to a redemption threshold.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your JetBlue account even after you close the card. As long as you have account activity (a flight, a purchase with another JetBlue card, or a points transfer) at least once every 12 months, your points will not expire. If your account becomes inactive for 12 months with no activity, JetBlue may close your account and forfeit your points.

Do I have to use the card to fly JetBlue?

No. You earn points on JetBlue flights whether you pay with the card or not. However, you only earn the bonus points (3 points per dollar on the Plus Card) if you purchase the flight with that specific card. If you pay cash or use a different card, you earn base points at the standard rate for JetBlue customers.

Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?

JetBlue does not publish a points earning cap. You can earn as many points as you want through spending and flying. However, if JetBlue suspects unusual activity or abuse of the rewards program, they may close your account or forfeit points.

How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?

This depends on the flight and your spending. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 points, while a cross-country or international flight could cost 20,000 to 50,000 points. If you spend $1,000 per month on the Plus Card, you earn 1,000 points monthly (3 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases plus 1 point per dollar on other spending, averaged). A 10,000-point flight would take about 10 months of average spending to reach.