JetBlue Card review: No annual fee, but limited perks

Overview of the JetBlue Card

Typically, no-annual-fee airline cards offer few perks, and the JetBlue Card is no different. Nevertheless, with no foreign transaction fees, discounts on inflight purchases, and bonus earnings in three spending categories, it remains a solid choice for occasional JetBlue travelers.

On the other hand, the JetBlue Plus Card—which has a $99 annual fee—presents a far more attractive option for frequent JetBlue flyers. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card Rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Although JetBlue has historically been smaller than major U.S. airlines like American, Delta, and United, the New York City-based airline is actively working to establish itself as a key competitor. With complimentary snacks, free Wi-Fi, and a strong focus on customer service, JetBlue has much to offer.

In the realm of credit cards, there are two JetBlue options: the no-annual-fee JetBlue card, which requires a recommended credit score of 670, and the JetBlue Plus card with a $99 annual fee.

I’ll explore the no-annual-fee JetBlue Card to determine if it suits your needs.

The details for the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus Card have been independently sourced by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Pros and cons of the JetBlue Card

Welcome offer for the JetBlue Card

The good news is that this card comes with a welcome bonus.

The downside, however, is that the current bonus is fairly modest: 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.

As per TPG's September 2024 valuations, which value TrueBlue points at 1.3 cents each, this bonus is worth only $130.

If you’re seeking a generous welcome bonus, JetBlue's other credit card option—the JetBlue Plus card—is a far more appealing choice.

Benefits of the JetBlue Card

The JetBlue Card offers a limited range of perks and benefits, which is expected for a no-annual-fee card.

One of the main advantages of this card is a 50% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use the card to pay.

Moreover, the JetBlue card comes with no foreign transaction fees, $0 fraud liability protection, and the option to pool points with family and friends. This feature can simplify the process of earning award tickets, making it a valuable addition to a no-annual-fee card.

Earning points with the JetBlue Card

In terms of earning, you’ll earn 3 TrueBlue points for every dollar spent on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

According to our September 2024 valuations, this translates to a 3.9% return on JetBlue spending, 2.6% on dining and groceries, and 1.3% on all other purchases. For context, the JetBlue Plus Card offers double the points for JetBlue purchases.

Additionally, as a TrueBlue member, you'll earn at least 2 base points for every dollar spent on JetBlue flights booked directly, on top of the 3 points earned through the card.

Redeeming points with the JetBlue Card

The TrueBlue program operates on a revenue-based system, meaning your points have a (mostly) fixed value.

This allows you to redeem points for any available seat, including JetBlue Mint seats, across their entire network while receiving a fairly consistent value. The higher the cash price of a flight, the more it will cost in points.

If you appreciate simplicity like TPG credit cards editor Emily Thompson, this could be an advantage. However, there generally aren't opportunities to maximize the value of your TrueBlue points—unlike other programs that utilize award charts or dynamic pricing models.

Point transfers with the JetBlue Card

JetBlue has partnerships with several airlines, but you can currently redeem TrueBlue points with only three of them: Hawaiian Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways.

In contrast to the revenue-based redemption rates for JetBlue flights, Hawaiian, Etihad, and Qatar Airways use award charts. Tickets on these airlines must be booked via phone.

While TrueBlue points cannot be used for hotels or rental cars, you can apply them for discounts on JetBlue Vacations.

What cards rival the JetBlue Card?

Several general travel credit cards compete with the JetBlue Card, including:

• If you're looking for additional perks: The JetBlue Plus Card comes with a $99 annual fee and offers benefits such as a free first checked bag, a 5,000-point bonus every anniversary, and more. You can also utilize the card's Points Payback feature to redeem points for up to $1,000 in statement credits each year. For more details, check out our comprehensive review of the JetBlue Plus.
• If you prefer Capital One: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, along with 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases for an annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
• If you lean towards Chase: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee and earns 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, and 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through Chase Travel. For more insights, check our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

For more choices, take a look at our comprehensive list of top travel rewards cards.

Is the JetBlue Card a good choice?

The JetBlue Card is a solid, if somewhat lackluster, option for occasional JetBlue travelers looking to avoid an annual fee. However, dedicated JetBlue fans will likely prefer the JetBlue Plus Card, as its more valuable perks justify the annual fee and make it a better choice.

Final thoughts

If you're looking to earn JetBlue points without the burden of an annual fee, the JetBlue Card is a viable option. Nonetheless, most JetBlue enthusiasts will find greater value in the JetBlue Plus Card.

Additionally, remember that you can transfer points to JetBlue from most major transferable points programs, allowing you to accumulate JetBlue points even without holding either JetBlue card.