The JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus Card are both excellent choices for JetBlue travelers, but they cater to different needs. The JetBlue Plus Card is the better option for frequent JetBlue flyers due to its higher rewards rate and additional perks like free checked bags. It offers 6x points on JetBlue purchases and a substantial sign-up bonus, making it ideal for those who travel often with the airline. However, the JetBlue Card remains a strong contender for those who prefer a no-annual-fee card while still earning rewards on dining and groceries.
JetBlue Card
vs. JetBlue Plus Card
Updated: October 21, 2024
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JetBlue Card
JetBlue Plus Card
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site
Who JetBlue Card Is Best For
The JetBlue Card is likely to be better for individuals who want to earn JetBlue points without paying an annual fee. It suits those who occasionally fly JetBlue and prefer earning rewards on dining and groceries. However, it may not be the best option for frequent JetBlue flyers seeking additional travel perks like free checked bags, which the JetBlue Plus Card offers. If you don't fly JetBlue often, this card provides a cost-effective way to earn travel rewards.
Who JetBlue Plus Is Best For
The JetBlue Plus is likely to be better for frequent JetBlue travelers who can take advantage of its 6X points on JetBlue purchases and perks like free checked bags. It also offers a substantial introductory bonus of 50,000 points, which can be appealing if you plan to spend enough to offset the $99 annual fee. However, if you rarely fly with JetBlue or prefer a no-fee card, this might not be the best fit.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
A point-by-point comparison helps you see how the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus differ in APRs, fees, rewards, and more. For instance, if you're focused on maximizing JetBlue rewards, the Plus card offers 6X points on JetBlue purchases compared to 3X with the JetBlue Card, making it a better choice for frequent flyers.
Regular APR: Tie
Both the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus Card offer a regular APR of 21.24% to 29.99% variable, making them equal in this aspect.
Annual Fee: JetBlue Card
The JetBlue Card is better for those seeking no annual fee, as it charges $0 compared to the JetBlue Plus Card's $99 fee. This makes it more appealing for budget-conscious users.
Introductory 0% APRs: JetBlue Card
The JetBlue Card is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% on balance transfers for the first twelve billing cycles. The JetBlue Plus card does not provide any introductory APR, making the JetBlue Card more appealing for balance transfers.
Rewards: JetBlue Plus
JetBlue Plus is better for rewards, offering 6X points on JetBlue purchases compared to JetBlue Card's 3X. Both cards earn 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X on other purchases.
Welcome Offers: JetBlue Plus
The JetBlue Plus offers a superior welcome offer with 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee within 90 days, compared to JetBlue Card's 10,000 points for the same spending requirement.
Recommended Credit Score: JetBlue Card
The JetBlue Card is better for those with a wider range of credit scores, from good to excellent (670 to 850), compared to the JetBlue Plus Card, which requires an excellent score (740 to 850). This makes the JetBlue Card more accessible to a broader audience.
Penalties and Fees: Tie
Both JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus are equal in penalties and fees. They have late fees up to $40, no penalty APR and charge either $10 or 5% for cash advances. Both cards offer 0% foreign transaction fees.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Both the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus have the same issuer satisfaction score, as they are issued by Barclays Bank Delaware.
Card Benefits: JetBlue Plus
JetBlue Plus is better for card benefits, offering perks like free checked bags and anniversary bonus points, valued at $343. JetBlue Card lacks significant perks, making JetBlue Plus more advantageous for frequent travelers.
Rewards Comparison
The JetBlue Plus card offers greater rewards value overall, particularly for those who frequently fly with JetBlue. It provides 6X points on JetBlue purchases compared to the 3X offered by the JetBlue Card. Both cards earn 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1X on all other purchases.
The points earned through both cards are part of the JetBlue TrueBlue program, valued at approximately 1.45 cents each. This consistent value across both cards simplifies the decision for those focused on maximizing point value.\n\nThe following table outlines the rewards categories and rates for each card, allowing for a quick comparison of their earning potential.
Category | JetBlue Card | JetBlue Plus |
|---|---|---|
JetBlue Purchases | 3X points | 6X points |
Dining | 2X points | 2X points |
Groceries | 2X points | 2X points |
Other | 1X points | 1X points |
Redeeming Rewards
Both the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus offer points that never expire, redeemable for any seat on JetBlue-operated flights without blackout dates. However, redemption is limited to JetBlue flights, which may not suit travelers seeking broader options. The value of points is consistent across both cards, making them equally beneficial for JetBlue loyalists.
FAQ: JetBlue Plus vs. JetBlue Card
What are the main differences between the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus Card?
The JetBlue Card has no annual fee and offers 3X points on JetBlue purchases. The JetBlue Plus Card has a $99 annual fee, 6X points on JetBlue purchases and includes a free checked bag.
Which card offers better rewards for frequent JetBlue travelers?
The JetBlue Plus offers better rewards for frequent travelers with 6x points on JetBlue purchases and a free checked bag.
Is the annual fee for the JetBlue Plus Card worth it?
The $99 annual fee is worth it if you frequently fly JetBlue and can benefit from the free checked bag and higher rewards rate.
What credit score is needed for each card?
The JetBlue Card requires a good to excellent credit score (670 to 850), while the JetBlue Plus Card requires an excellent score (740 to 850).
Do both cards offer a sign-up bonus?
Yes, the JetBlue Card offers 10,000 bonus points, and the JetBlue Plus Card offers 50,000 bonus points.
Methodology
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, including the following:
- Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
- Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
- Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
- Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.
For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.