New jetBlue Credit Cards are Out!

[GrnMtnMan]

Sometime in the past year or so, jetBlue announced it was ending it credit card relationship with American Express and going with a Master Card from Barclays. Well, the details are finally out and you can now apply.

There are two versions, one without an annual fee and the other with a $99 annual fee. For frequent users of jetBlue, the more expensive one looks like a decent deal, with a 30,000 sign up bonus and 5,000 more on you renewal. Considering a RT flight from DC to Orlando can be as low as 7,400 points round trip, and it includes first bag free for card holder + 3 others on same reservation, this looks like a decent value.

Comparison of the two cards below:

 

[goofy4tink]

Existing cardholders start using the new card on March 21. I've had the JB Amex card for awhile now. I'm already paying a $99 fee yearly! I'm hoping I'll be allowed to get the MC Plus card.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Existing cardholders start using the new card on March 21. I've had the JB Amex card for awhile now. I'm already paying a $99 fee yearly! I'm hoping I'll be allowed to get the MC Plus card.

I cancelled my JB Amex some time ago, as I didn't want to be converted to a new card without a bonus. It looks like the JB Amex legacy customers are getting a third version, with a $40 annual fee:

It looks like this card will get 4x points on JB purchases, instead of 3x for the no-fee card. And the $100 perk looks like that is a one-time deal to keep card holders.

It would be pretty lousy of Barclays if it denied Amex holders the opportunity to get the points bonus and free checked bag perks...but I've seen stories of some CC companies denying sign-up bonuses to existing customers.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into this

 

[goofy4tink]

I cancelled my JB Amex some time ago, as I didn't want to be converted to a new card without a bonus. It looks like the JB Amex legacy customers are getting a third version, with a $40 annual fee:
View attachment 155932
It looks like this card will get 4x points on JB purchases, instead of 3x for the no-fee card. And the $100 perk looks like that is a one-time deal to keep card holders.

It would be pretty lousy of Barclays if it denied Amex holders the opportunity to get the points bonus and free checked bag perks...but I've seen stories of some CC companies denying sign-up bonuses to existing customers.

I'm not holding out much hope for getting upgraded to the plus card. I'm going to give it a shot, but who knows.

 

[MrsNick]

I'm not holding out much hope for getting upgraded to the plus card. I'm going to give it a shot, but who knows.

Please post back with whether or not you were able to upgrade. Thanks!

 

[auger]

Looks like the $99 Annual Fee JetBlue Plus card is very similar to Southwest's Premier Card.
I used to have a Barclay MC and loved the 10% back whenever I redeemed points.
Wonder if they will run eventually special sign-up bonuses like SW does with the 50K miles?

 

[n2mm]

How does the free luggage work? Does it show on your confirmation? Just thinking about RAC at the resorts.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Wonder if they will run eventually special sign-up bonuses like SW does with the 50K miles?

Are SW points a similar value to JB? For example, I could book a RT ticket for DC to Orlando for 7,400 points, which is something like a $140-$180 value. Yes, this is a sale fare, but was available yesterday for actual booking.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

How does the free luggage work? Does it show on your confirmation? Just thinking about RAC at the resorts.

I would imagine the same way it works for Delta and America (I'm not familiar with United). Both of those airlines charge for checked bags, but if you have their credit card, you get one checked bag free. This has been going on a while now, so I'd imagine the systems are set up to 'understand' this situation.

ETA: recent discussion of this situation http://www.disboards.com/threads/first-bag-free-delta-using-resort-airline-check-in.3484589/

 

[auger]

Are SW points a similar value to JB? For example, I could book a RT ticket for DC to Orlando for 7,400 points, which is something like a $140-$180 value. Yes, this is a sale fare, but was available yesterday for actual booking.

I find them fairly comparable. I haven't ever done the actual math.
For me, the issue is that JetBlue only flies direct to FLL from DTW. In order to fly into MCO, I would have to take multiple flights at double to triple the cost.
But if they have a good enough deal, I'll gladly fly in and out of FLL. The drive up is really easy for us, since we're used to driving 17 hours between OH and FL!!
Right now I can get some JetBlue flights into FLL for 4500 points one way. I have seen them lower when the flight prices drop. I think our last flight was only ~21000 points for three of us to go round trip. You just have to watch the prices, just like with SW.

We had gotten the old AmEx card last year, knowing JetBlue was severing their relationship with AmEx. Signed up and got the bonus points, then closed the accounts about month ago in anticipation of the switchover.
Not sure if we will get new ones right away with the current sign-up bonus, or if we will wait to see if they run a better promo at some point. We have plenty of SW points right now to get us to and from for a few trips yet, so no hurry to jump on the JetBlue deal.

 

[n2mm]

I would imagine the same way it works for Delta and America (I'm not familiar with United). Both of those airlines charge for checked bags, but if you have their credit card, you get one checked bag free. This has been going on a while now, so I'd imagine the systems are set up to 'understand' this situation.

ETA: recent discussion of this situation http://www.disboards.com/threads/first-bag-free-delta-using-resort-airline-check-in.3484589/

Thanks for the info. Since it says you get free bags with the cc purchase of a flight, should I assume that you don't get free bags if you use your points for a free flight. Though you could use your cc for th fees. Just crunching the numbers.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Thanks for the info. Since it says you get free bags with the cc purchase of a flight, should I assume that you don't get free bags if you use your points for a free flight. Though you could use your cc for th fees. Just crunching the numbers.

They may not have figured out this policy yet. They could go the way of when using points and paying taxes with the JB CC, you'r not actually paying the air fare with your CC, so you'd have to choose the fare group that includes a checked bag when buying with points. Or they could be more liberal, and include the bags for free.

 

[n2mm]

They may not have figured out this policy yet. They could go the way of when using points and paying taxes with the JB CC, you'r not actually paying the air fare with your CC, so you'd have to choose the fare group that includes a checked bag when buying with points. Or they could be more liberal, and include the bags for free.

Thanks. I was thinking this too. Guess we'll find out!

 

[bostran1]

We have had our JetBlie cards for many years. The card combined with family sharing of points got my family of four a free round trip flight to MCO with checked bags in September. Based on the flight costs that saved us $1200!

I need to look more closely at the new card as I haven't really looked into it. It definitely seems like an upgrade to the Plus Card could be a good deal. Especially if I'll already be paying $49 a year. Free checked bag could help that card pay for itself.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If only Canadians could qualify for one .