Thoughts on Jetblue Extra fares?

[frannn]

We've been paying about 250-300 pp rt from Jetblue the past few years. Now that they changed the fee structure I'm not thrilled but definetly intrigued. I was all set to book the "blue" which lets you choose your seat and allows you to change dates for a fee. DH is pushing for "blue extra" which also includes boarding early, extra speed, and cancellations/changes for no fee. The extra is 70 more per person each way. Normally I would say no way, but thinking it might be worth it. The past 2 years the 3 of us were assigned different boarding groups even though tickets were bought together. Also, next year's school calendar is not out yet so we may need to adjust dates by a few days (prob not though). Dh mostly likes the idea of getting settled on the plane before the masses..but that's a lot to pay for peace of mind. Curious to hear other's thoughts on the matter.

 

[focusondisney]

Extra leg room seats include early boarding & extra speed at the airport. For our flights they are $42 for aisle & window seat, $39 for a middle. That might be a better option if you aren’t worried about needing to change dates. But I am always positive of our dates before I buy airfare. I guess you need to really weigh the risk of that vs the blue extra cost.

 

[nkereina]

Boarding in different groups wouldn't matter to me because you'd have assigned seats. Its not like Southwest where boarding order matters. Are you doing carry on only? The only advantage to boarding early is a better shot at overhead storage space. If it fills before you board, you'd be required to gate check it. For me, gate checking it is not the end of the world because the items I need on board the plane are in my purse which stays with me anyway. As for the changing the dates, what is the change fee? If the change fee and the upgrade fee to the Blue Plus are negligible differences, I'd probably take my chances with the lower fare and just pay the change fee if/when I have to change.

 

[Jimsig]

Boarding in different groups wouldn't matter to me because you'd have assigned seats..... Are you doing carry on only? The only advantage to boarding early is a better shot at overhead storage space. If it fills before you board, you'd be required to gate check it.

Also if only doing one carry for everyone the person boarding first can bring it on for a better chance of space. When we travel we usually check our bags and bring one roll aboard carry one for the 3 of us with what we need for the rest of that day/night and the next day. We also have our personal item with our electronics etc in it.

 

[Jimsig]

Also, next year's school calendar is not out yet so we may need to adjust dates by a few days (prob not though). Dh mostly likes the idea of getting settled on the plane before the masses..but that's a lot to pay for peace of mind. Curious to hear other's thoughts on the matter.

Check your school departments website for next years calendar. Our towns calendar was approved a few weeks ago and I only caught it as I follow someone on the school committee on Facebook. The school departments Facebook page still has not said it's out even though it's listed on the website. Sometimes they post a tentative version .

Extra leg room seats include early boarding & extra speed at the airport. For our flights they are $42 for aisle & window seat, $39 for a middle. That might be a better option if you aren’t worried about needing to change dates. But I am always positive of our dates before I buy airfare. I guess you need to really weigh the risk of that vs the blue extra cost.

The Even More Seat price does vary by route. For example from BOS to MCO the price is about $58 for window/Aisle and $54 for a middle and from BOS to LAX it's about $100 for window/aisle and $99 for a middle. Also as you said that includes a a dedicated line at the airport (like a fast pass) for security, and early boarding. So factor that in when deciding between the 2 fares