The JetBlue card makes sense if you fly JetBlue regularly and want to offset ticket costs with points—but only if you'll use the benefits enough to cover the annual fee
JetBlue offers two main credit cards: the JetBlue Card (no annual fee) and the JetBlue Plus Card (annual fee applies). The no-fee version gives you points on every purchase and a small bonus when you open the account. The Plus version costs money upfront but adds a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a higher points earning rate. Whether either card is worth it depends on how often you fly JetBlue and whether you'll actually use the perks included with the paid version.
The core question is simple: will the points you earn and the benefits you receive save you more money than the annual fee costs? If you fly JetBlue fewer than two or three times a year, the answer is almost certainly no. If you fly them regularly for work or live in a city where JetBlue is your main airline, the math might work in your favor.
Key Takeaways
- The JetBlue Card has no annual fee and earns points on all purchases, making it a low-risk way to start earning JetBlue rewards if you're unsure about your flying habits.
- The JetBlue Plus Card charges an annual fee but includes a free checked bag on every flight, priority boarding, and higher points earning rates—benefits that only pay for themselves if you fly JetBlue at least a few times per year.
- JetBlue points can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to partner airlines, but their value depends on when and where you fly.
- Both cards offer a one-time points bonus when you open the account, but the bonus alone does not offset the Plus Card's annual fee unless you redeem the points strategically.
- If you rarely fly JetBlue or prefer other airlines, the no-fee card is safer; if you fly them regularly, the Plus Card's checked bag benefit alone saves money on most trips.
How the JetBlue Card (no annual fee) works
The JetBlue Card earns points on every dollar you spend, both on JetBlue flights and on everyday purchases made with the card. You also receive a one-time points bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months of opening the account. These points can be redeemed for JetBlue flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to JetBlue's partner airlines.
Because there is no annual fee, you lose nothing by opening this card and using it occasionally. The main downside is that the earning rate is lower than the Plus Card, so if you do fly JetBlue frequently, you'll accumulate points more slowly. This card is the right choice if you're testing whether JetBlue rewards are worth your attention, or if you fly them only once or twice a year.
How the JetBlue Plus Card works and what the annual fee covers
The JetBlue Plus Card charges an annual fee (the amount varies and changes periodically). In return, you get a free checked bag on every JetBlue flight, priority boarding, a higher points earning rate on JetBlue purchases, and the same one-time opening bonus as the no-fee card. Some versions also include a statement credit toward JetBlue purchases or seat upgrades.
The free checked bag is the benefit most likely to pay for itself. If you check a bag on a round-trip flight, JetBlue's standard checked bag fee would normally apply to at least one leg. Over two or three trips per year, those fees alone can exceed the annual fee. Priority boarding saves time at the airport but has no direct dollar value. The higher earning rate on JetBlue flights means you accumulate points faster, which matters if you fly them regularly.
The Plus Card only makes financial sense if you'll use at least some of these benefits. If you never check bags, rarely fly JetBlue, or don't value priority boarding, the annual fee is money wasted.
Comparing the two cards side by side
| Feature | JetBlue Card | JetBlue Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | Yes (amount varies) |
| Free checked bag | No | Yes, on every JetBlue flight |
| Priority boarding | No | Yes |
| Points earning on JetBlue flights | Standard rate | Higher rate |
| Points earning on other purchases | Standard rate | Standard rate |
| Opening bonus | Yes | Yes (usually higher) |
| Best for | Occasional flyers or those testing JetBlue rewards | Regular JetBlue flyers who check bags |
When the math works: scenarios where the Plus Card pays for itself
The Plus Card makes sense in these situations: you fly JetBlue at least three or four times per year, you check a bag on most flights, or you live in a city where JetBlue is your primary airline and you travel regularly for work or leisure.
Example: If you take four round-trip flights per year and check a bag on each one, you avoid four checked bag fees. If JetBlue's checked bag fee is around $35 per flight, that's roughly $140 per year in fees avoided. If the Plus Card's annual fee is less than that, the card has already paid for itself before you even count the points you're earning at a higher rate or the value of priority boarding.
The opening bonus also matters. If the bonus is large enough, you might redeem it for a free flight or significant upgrade, which could offset the first year's annual fee. However, bonuses are one-time events; you need the ongoing benefits to justify keeping the card year after year.
When the Plus Card does not make sense
Skip the Plus Card if you fly JetBlue fewer than two or three times per year, never check bags, or prefer other airlines. The annual fee becomes a sunk cost with no offsetting benefit. Even if you earn points at a higher rate, the points accumulate slowly on infrequent travel, and you'd need to redeem a large number of them to break even on the fee.
Also reconsider the Plus Card if you have status with another airline or if JetBlue doesn't serve your home airport well. The card's benefits are specific to JetBlue; they don't help you on other carriers. If you're splitting your travel between JetBlue and another airline, the no-fee card is safer.
How JetBlue points compare to other airline rewards programs
JetBlue points can be redeemed for flights at a rate that varies depending on demand and route. On some flights, you might need fewer points per mile; on others, more. This is called dynamic pricing, and it means the value of your points fluctuates. You can also transfer points to JetBlue's partner airlines, though the exchange rates are usually less favorable than redeeming for JetBlue flights directly.
Compared to other airline cards, JetBlue's earning rates are competitive but not exceptional. The real advantage of the JetBlue card is the free checked bag on the Plus version and the simplicity of the program. If you're loyal to JetBlue and fly them often, the card rewards that loyalty. If you're a casual flyer who shops around for the cheapest ticket regardless of airline, a general cash-back card might serve you better.
Questions to ask yourself before opening either card
Before you apply, answer these questions honestly: How many times do you fly JetBlue per year? Do you check bags? Do you have other airline cards or loyalty programs? Will you use the points before they expire (JetBlue points don't expire as long as your account is active, but the card itself could be closed if unused)? Is the opening bonus large enough to matter to you, or are you mainly interested in ongoing rewards?
If you fly JetBlue regularly and check bags, the Plus Card is worth considering. If you're unsure about your travel habits or fly JetBlue only occasionally, start with the no-fee card. You can always upgrade later if your travel patterns change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do JetBlue points expire?
JetBlue points themselves do not expire as long as your account is active. However, if you close the card and don't maintain a JetBlue account, you could lose your points. Keep the card open or make sure you have another way to stay active in the JetBlue program if you're not using the card regularly.
Can I use JetBlue points for flights on other airlines?
Yes, you can transfer JetBlue points to partner airlines like American, Delta, and others. However, the transfer rates are usually less favorable than redeeming points directly for JetBlue flights. Check the partner list and transfer rates before deciding where to use your points.
What happens if I close the card but want to keep my points?
Your points stay in your JetBlue account as long as you maintain some activity—such as flying JetBlue, using a JetBlue debit card, or staying in the loyalty program. If your account goes inactive for an extended period, JetBlue may close it and you could lose your points. Check JetBlue's current policy on account inactivity before closing the card.
Is the opening bonus worth more than the annual fee on the Plus Card?
Sometimes, but not always. The opening bonus is usually worth somewhere between one and three free flights depending on the route and how you redeem. If the bonus is large and you redeem it strategically, it can offset the first year's annual fee. However, you still need the ongoing benefits (free checked bag, higher earning rate) to justify keeping the card in year two and beyond.
Should I get the JetBlue card if I already have a cash-back card?
Only if you fly JetBlue regularly enough that the points you earn are worth more to you than the cash-back you'd earn with a general rewards card. For most people who fly multiple airlines, a cash-back card is more flexible. The JetBlue card makes sense if JetBlue is your primary airline or if you value the free checked bag on the Plus version.