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JetBlue Takes Steps to Become More Eco-Friendly, Hints at Expansion

Sept. 20, 2016
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3 min read
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JetBlue Takes Steps to Become More Eco-Friendly, Hints at Expansion
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JetBlue announced yesterday that it's ramping up efforts to bring more eco-friendly jet fuel to the skies — and at the same time, the airline potentially wants to expand its route network to Europe and to more destinations in South America. The New York-based carrier announced a 10-year purchase agreement with SG Preston to buy renewable jet fuel that's made from bio-based feedstocks, such as plant matter, that don't compete with food production. The deal is one of the largest renewable jet fuel purchase agreements in aviation history.

The carrier's planning to purchase more than 33 million gallons of blended renewable jet fuel per year for at least 10 years. The blended fuel will consist of 30% renewable jet fuel and 70% traditional Jet-A fuel and can significantly reduce aircraft emissions. The renewable fuel JetBlue is getting from SG Preston will not have any impact on performance or safety of the carrier's aircraft.

How JetBlue's renewable jet fuel will be produced.

This more eco-friendly fuel could especially help the carrier in reducing emissions if it were to invest in larger aircraft as part of its plans to potentially expand its route network. At a conference in California this week, a JetBlue executive noted that the carrier was debating how best to go about expanding — potentially to Europe and deeper into South America (Brazil, Chile and Argentina). JetBlue operates a fleet of A320 and A321 aircraft, which aren't capable of flying long distances, so the airline is looking at investing in longer-range aircraft.

The most obvious choice for JetBlue would be to order Airbus A321LRs, which will be available in 2019, as JetBlue's contract with Airbus allows it to switch to the long-range A321LR. However, the carrier could opt for a wide-body aircraft for its long-haul flights, such as the A330 or Boeing 787.

JetBlue's move to become more eco-friendly with its renewable jet fuel agreement, and to consider expanding to Europe and deeper into South America, a are ultimately wins for customers and shareholders alike. JetBlue plans to lower its Co2 emissions by 50% or more per gallon before blending with the new renewable fuel, which it considers "a proactive step to address customer demand and protect our business and the future of our industry."

Would you fly a renewable-fuel-powered JetBlue Dreamliner?

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.