JetBlue Plus Card Review: More Than You’d Expect

The JetBlue Plus Card is a good choice if you’re a frequent traveler who is almost always flying JetBlue Airways, letting you maximize your rewards and enjoy JetBlue perks. With this card, you can earn a 50,000-point sign-up bonus (after meeting a required spend), 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases and 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores. This high rewards rate allows you to earn points for an award flight faster. Additional perks like 5,000 bonus points annually, free checked bags and a 10% rebate after redeeming points make the card particularly compelling if JetBlue is your default choice for leisure or work flights.

However, the $99 annual fee and the high credit score requirement might deter some, particularly consumers who don't fly JetBlue often or prefer a card with a broader airline network.

The JetBlue Plus is an excellent choice for frequent JetBlue travelers looking to maximize their rewards and enjoy exclusive perks. With a high rewards rate of 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases and 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, this card offers substantial value for those who travel with JetBlue regularly.

In addition to the rewards, cardholders benefit from 5,000 bonus points annually, no foreign transaction fees and a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same itinerary. The card also helps you earn toward JetBlue's Mosaic status, providing further travel benefits.

However, the card does have some drawbacks. The $99 annual fee and the requirement for excellent credit might be a barrier for some. Additionally, the card's rewards are limited to the JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines network, which may not be ideal for those who prefer a card with a broader airline network.

The JetBlue Plus’ rewards are tailored for frequent JetBlue travelers, paying 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases. That’s double what the no-annual-fee JetBlue Card pays for the same category.

Here’s the full summary of rewards earning for the JetBlue Plus:

• Earn 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases
• Earn 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
• Earn 1X points on all other purchases

Additionally, cardholders receive a 10% rebate on points after redeeming for JetBlue travel, adding extra value to their rewards.

Points earned with the JetBlue Plus card never expire, providing flexibility in redemption. The best way to redeem points is for JetBlue-operated flights, which typically offer the most value. Points required for an award flight vary based on the published base fare at the time of booking, allowing for potential savings during off-peak times and flash sales.

The JetBlue Plus offers a range of valuable perks for frequent JetBlue travelers beyond earnings points that help make this card a standout airline credit card. However, this is only true if you’re into flying JetBlue.

The card's introductory offer is attractive: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days. Based on our valuation of JetBlue points, the welcome offer should be redeemable for an average of $725 worth of awards fares. The 5,000 annual bonus points and 10% rebate on points redemptions are comparable to airline cards with higher annual fees.

Meanwhile, Mosaic status earning with the card isn’t much of a benefit. 50 tiles are required to reach Mosaic level 1, so one tile per $1,000 spent is only useful as an almost-there type of reward if you’re on the cusp of earning status.

Here are all of the card’s benefits laid out:

Introductory Offer

• 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days.

Travel Perks

• Free checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to three companions on the same itinerary
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 50% savings on eligible inflight JetBlue purchases.
• $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations after purchasing a package of $100 or more.

Extra Points and Status

• 5,000 bonus points on card anniversary.
• Get 10% of your points back after redeeming for JetBlue travel.
• Earn toward Mosaic status with every purchase, one tile for every $1,000 spent.

The JetBlue Plus Card has some limitations that might make it less appealing for certain users, including the following drawbacks:

• Limited airline network: The card is primarily beneficial for those who frequently fly with JetBlue or Hawaiian Airlines. This limitation could be a significant drawback if you prefer a card with a broader airline network.

• Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $99. While the rewards and perks can offset this cost for frequent JetBlue travelers, occasional flyers might find it hard to justify the expense.

• Requires excellent credit: To qualify for the JetBlue Plus Card, you need an excellent credit score (740 to 850). This requirement might exclude those who are still building or repairing their credit.

We evaluated the JetBlue Plus Card by reviewing 20 airline cards and focusing on key features. The evaluation weights are as follows:

• Expected Value for Travelers (40%): Measures rewards and perks minus annual fees.
• Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to.
• Offer ROI (15%): Assesses the return on investment from introductory bonus offers.
• Airline Rewards Rate (10%): Evaluates rewards earned on airline expenditures.
• Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): Rates the presence of foreign transaction fees.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Assesses satisfaction based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction study.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Evaluates the availability to various credit scores.

We answered some frequently asked questions about the JetBlue Plus to help you decide if this card is right for you.