JetBlue Card Review: Fair Rewards for No Annual Fee

The JetBlue Card is tailored for people who take one to two vacations annually and use JetBlue for their flights. It lets you earn decent points on JetBlue flights, dining and grocery purchases, plus a sign-up bonus, all for no annual fee. However, aside from in-flight discounts, the card lacks some of the typical perks you’d expect from an airline card. If you're a frequent JetBlue flier, you may want to consider the JetBlue Plus Card, which offers higher rewards and additional benefits.

If you’re an occasional traveler who sometimes flies JetBlue, the JetBlue Card can be a good choice. It’s the entry-level option among JetBlue’s co-branded cards, all issued by Barclays. With no annual fee, you’ll earn 3X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1X points on everything else. You can also earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

The card offers a 0% foreign transaction fee and a 50% discount on in-flight purchases. Plus, all spending earns tiles toward TrueBlue Mosaic, JetBlue’s elite flier program.

However, the card lacks some perks that other airline cards offer, like free checked bags (which typically cost $35 each). Also, your points can only be redeemed on JetBlue and a few partner airlines, limiting your options for using your points. If you’re flying more than four times a year and always on JetBlue, the JetBlue Plus Card might be more rewarding with its higher points and additional benefits, even with an annual fee.

All your purchases with the JetBlue Card earn TrueBlue points, with heightened rewards on airfare, dining and groceries. Here’s the points rate for each category:

• Earn 3X points on eligible JetBlue purchases
• Earn 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
• Earn 1X points on all other purchases

Points earned with the JetBlue Card never expire, and you can pool your points with your friends and family.

The best way to redeem your points is for JetBlue-operated flights, where you can get a value of 1.4 cents per point and enjoy no blackout dates. You can also use them for hotel packages and flights from JetBlue’s partners, which include Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Icelandair. However, you may receive less value from your points if you book with these partner airlines. Note that you can’t transfer your TrueBlue points to other loyalty programs.

Yes, the JetBlue Card can earn Mosaic tiles, helping cardholders qualify for JetBlue’s elite status, TrueBlue Mosaic. By using the card, you accumulate tiles based on your spending. You earn one tile for every $1,000 spent, and you need 50 tiles to reach Mosaic status. Achieving Mosaic status provides benefits like two free checked bags, statement credits, bonus points and more.

For no annual fee, the JetBlue Card lets you earn high rewards on flights and some everyday purchases. It also comes with some valuable benefits.

No annual fee: Unlike many airline cards, the JetBlue Card doesn't charge a yearly fee, so you can keep it in your wallet without extra cost.

Sign-up bonus: The 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days is a generous bonus that's worth $150 when redeemed for flights.

Even though the JetBlue Card has no annual fee, consider these drawbacks before getting the card:

No free checked bags or priority boarding: Unlike other airline cards, the JetBlue Card does not offer free checked bags or priority boarding, which can be a significant drawback for frequent travelers. Checked bags at JetBlue start at $35 per bag. This can add up quickly, especially for families or those taking longer trips. The JetBlue Plus Card offers free checked bags for the cardholder and up to three companions.

Limited rewards redemption: You can only redeem rewards with JetBlue and its partner airlines, which restricts how you can use your points. JetBlue also has a smaller network compared to major airlines, which could limit your travel options, particularly for international destinations. If you prefer flexibility in how you use your points, consider a more traditional travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

The JetBlue Card has an upgraded version, the JetBlue Plus Card, which offers higher points, free checked bags and other benefits. We listed the key differences between the two cards so you can make an informed decision.

We also compare the JetBlue Card with another airline card below to help you decide if it works for you.

The JetBlue Card lets you earn 2X points on dining and groceries. However, it might be a good idea to pair it with a card dedicated to everyday purchases so you can maximize the rewards you earn from all your spending.

We assessed the JetBlue Card alongside 20 other cards using the following weighted criteria:

• Expected Value to Traveler (40%): Evaluates the potential monetary value of rewards and benefits minus annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline Scope (20%): Assesses the range of destinations the airline serves, which is important for those who travel frequently.
• Offer ROI (15%): Analyzes the return on investment from the card’s introductory bonus offers.
• Airline Rewards Rate (10%): Evaluates rewards earned on airline expenditures.
• Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): Considers the absence of foreign transaction fees, which is advantageous for international travelers.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Reflects customer satisfaction based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction survey.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Indicates the typical credit score range needed for approval, with higher scores being more widely accepted.