JetBlue Plus Card Review: More Than You’d Expect

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Updated: September 16, 2024

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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.

JetBlue Plus Card
Credit Card logo for JetBlue Plus Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Rewards Summary
Earn 1X–6X points
Regular APR
21.24%–29.99% variable
Annual Fee
$99
Intro Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points
Recommended Credit
740–850 (Excellent)

JetBlue Plus Detailed Review

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.

JetBlue Plus Points Earning and Redemption

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.

Benefits and Perks

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.

Drawbacks and Considerations

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.

How the JetBlue Plus Compares

JetBlue Plus vs. JetBlue Card

JetBlue offers two co-branded cards, with the JetBlue Card being the more affordable option. This no-annual-fee card offers 3X points on JetBlue purchases and a 10,000-point intro bonus, making it a more accessible option for less frequent JetBlue travelers, folks who don’t want the annual fees or people looking for a card that has better approval odds. However, you’d get fewer rewards and perks from the JetBlue Card.

Credit Card logo for JetBlue Plus Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

JetBlue Plus vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

One of the main differences in favor of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the transferability of points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which broadens the rewards redemption possibilities for cardholders. Both cards have similar annual fees, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred has better approval odds. JetBlue Plus stands out for its value to JetBlue frequent fliers, with multiple perks and an easier-to-earn intro offer.

Credit Card logo for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
1.2/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

Cards to Pair With the JetBlue Plus

Citi Custom Cash® Card

JetBlue Plus Card can also work if paired with another card like the Citi Custom Cash® Card. It offers 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back afterward. This complements the JetBlue Plus Card's high rewards rate on JetBlue purchases, groceries and restaurants when you use the Custom Cash Card for other spending categories, like gas, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores or fitness clubs.

Credit Card logo for Citi Custom Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

Is the JetBlue Plus Worth Getting?

The JetBlue Plus Card is worth it for frequent travelers who travel often enough to qualify for JetBlue’s elite status. If you usually fly with JetBlue, the 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 5,000 anniversary bonus points and free checked bags justify the $99 annual fee. If you don't frequently fly JetBlue or prefer a card with a broader airline network, consider other travel rewards cards that offer more flexibility and lower annual fees.

Credit Card logo for JetBlue Plus Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

JetBlue Plus Card Details

Feature
Details

Card Uses

  • Airline
  • General Travel

Annual Fee

$99

Introductory Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days

Introductory APRs

None

Rewards

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

How We Evaluated the JetBlue Plus

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.

FAQ About the JetBlue Plus

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

What are the main benefits of the JetBlue Plus Card?
What is the rewards rate for the JetBlue Plus Card?
Are there any drawbacks to the JetBlue Plus Card?
How does the JetBlue Plus Card compare to other travel cards?
Is the JetBlue Plus Card worth the annual fee?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


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*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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