American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
vs. JetBlue Card

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card and the JetBlue Card are both no-annual-fee options for travelers who are indifferent between American Airlines and JetBlue. The JetBlue Card is the better choice for those who value dining rewards and international travel, with its higher dining rewards rate and no foreign transaction fees. It offers 3X points on JetBlue purchases and 2X on dining and groceries.

However, the AA MileUp Card should be considered for its strong grocery rewards and lower spending requirement for the sign-up bonus. These features make it appealing to those who prioritize grocery spending and are loyal to American Airlines.

The AA MileUp is better for those who frequently shop for groceries and fly with American Airlines. It provides 2X miles on these purchases and has a generous introductory offer with a low spending requirement. However, it may not suit international travelers due to its foreign transaction fees. This card is a good fit for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without an annual fee.

The JetBlue Card is better for travelers who frequently fly with JetBlue and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It's also a good fit for those who often spend on dining and groceries, as it offers bonus points in these categories. However, it may not be suitable for individuals who need perks like free checked bags or who prefer a broader airline network.

Point-by-point comparisons help you evaluate specific features like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on grocery rewards, AA MileUp offers 2X miles, while the JetBlue Card provides 2X points.

In terms of rewards value, the JetBlue Card offers a slightly better return for dining and grocery purchases, while the AA MileUp Card provides a higher value for grocery and American Airlines purchases. The TrueBlue points are valued at approximately 1.45 cents, whereas AAdvantage miles are valued at approximately 1.6 cents. This difference in unit value can influence the overall rewards potential depending on your spending habits.

For those indifferent to the airlines, the choice may come down to which spending categories best align with your lifestyle. The following table details the bonus categories for each card, allowing for a quick comparison of where you can maximize your rewards.

The JetBlue Card allows you to redeem points for any seat on JetBlue flights, and points never expire. In contrast, the AA MileUp Card offers more diverse redemption options — including flights, upgrades and travel packages — but is limited to AAdvantage partners. Both cards provide flexible redemption, yet JetBlue's non-expiring points offer a slight advantage.

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the "Airline" category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.