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FYI: JetBlue Flights Are BYOB (With a Catch)

May 28, 2017
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3 min read
FYI: JetBlue Flights Are BYOB (With a Catch)
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When it comes to airplane food and drink, JetBlue is no slouch. Earlier this month, the airline announced that it was adding artisanal ice cream to the menu on select Mint routes — and that’s in addition to some already above-average in-flight eats, including Dunkin’ Donuts coffee service. But for travelers thirsting for a beverage with a little more kick —and looking to save a few dollars — we’ve got a great tip: JetBlue flights are BYOB.

Sure, you can order up more than a dozen types of beer, wine, and spirits from the in-flight menu, but that’s going to cost you about $7 to $9 a pop. But Travel + Leisure let us in on a great, albeit little-known tip: You can bring your own booze aboard a JetBlue plane — but there are a couple of catches.

As we previously reported, regulations in most countries prohibit passengers from consuming their own alcohol on an aircraft. The reason why being that it makes it impossible for the flight crew to monitor just how much you’ve had to drink, and when you’ve had enough.

The FAA rule states that you can carry your own alcohol onboard a plane — hello, duty-free shopping! — but you are not allowed to open it yourself. Which is where your friendly flight crew can help. If you want to pop open that bottle of vino that’s sitting in your carry-on, you have to ask a crew member to do it for you. And to serve it to you. Which may seem like a diva-esque request, but it’s the law.

Of course, if you brought a beverage from home, it would need to be a pretty tiny bottle to get through security — but, yes, even nips fall under this rule. According to JetBlue’s guidelines, “If purchased in the secure boarding area, JetBlue will allow alcoholic beverages not more than 24% alcohol by volume, or more than 24% by volume and not exceeding 70% alcohol by volume, when in retail packages, not exceeding a total quantity of five liters per person.” That’s just to carry it on to the plane — whether or not you plan to drink it.

Look just below those guidelines and the airline confirms that, on domestic flights, “You may bring wine, champagne or beer on a flight for consumption during the flight if it is in an unopened container. If you’d like to drink the alcohol you carry on, you may give it to one of our Inflight crewmembers, and they will be happy to serve it to you.”

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Of course, with great power comes great responsibility — namely, the power to cut you off if the crew member believes that you may have had a little too much to drink... even if you’ve only had one glass of champagne and have a nearly-full bottle sitting there. So drink as responsibly as you normally would, and don’t forget to raise a glass to this little loophole!

H/T: Travel + Leisure

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • 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.