American, JetBlue launch another round of reciprocal elite benefits

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have been partners in the Northeast for nearly two years.

Under the so-called Northeast Alliance, the two carriers have boosted their presence in both the New York and Boston metro areas by adding flights, launching new routes and streamlining the connecting experience.

Late last year, American and JetBlue launched reciprocal loyalty benefits, including the ability to redeem AAdvantage miles for JetBlue travel and more.

Now, the carriers are back with the latest round of enhancements for the Northeast Alliance — and they're particularly exciting for elite members.

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Complimentary access to extra-legroom seats

Beginning March 23, all American Airlines status members will receive complimentary access to JetBlue's extra-legroom Even More Space seats once the check-in window opens 24 hours before your flight.

The same benefit also applies to JetBlue's Mosaic elite members flying with American. Once the check-in window opens, JetBlue elite members can now select Main Cabin Extra seats for free.

In order to take advantage of the complimentary extra-legroom seats, be sure to add your respective frequent flyer number during the booking process.

This benefit is available on all flights operated by either airline, but note that these upgraded coach seats are often all reserved by the time the check-in window opens. Many times, the only extra-legroom seats available during the check-in window are middle seats.

Either way, if you keep checking the seat map, it's possible that an aisle or window seat will open up, especially as elite members are upgraded to first class or make last-minute changes to their plans.

Same-day changes

Also beginning March 23, top-tier American Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro elite members, as well as JetBlue Mosaic members, can make same-day confirmed flight changes when traveling on either carrier.

If you're an American elite member flying with JetBlue, you can now switch to any other same-day JetBlue flight operating within a given metro area (including co-located airports like LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport) starting at midnight on the day of travel.

Meanwhile, JetBlue Mosaics will be able to change their American-ticketed travel during the check-in window, assuming that another flight is available. American's same-day change policy doesn't allow for changes to nearby airports or routing.

Note that you won't be able to move from a JetBlue-operated flight to an American flight, and vice versa.

Lounge access when flying JetBlue

Finally, American's Admirals Club members will start receiving access to the lounges when flying on JetBlue-ticketed and -operated flights beginning in April.

This perk will initially be limited to Admirals Club members, though it's possible that American and JetBlue will expand the lounge access policy to include those traveling on JetBlue's Mint business-class tickets in the future.

Existing benefits and what's still missing

The latest round of enhancements builds on the existing reciprocal loyalty benefits that went into effect in October 2021, including:

• Priority check-in.
• Expedited security.
• Priority boarding.
• Priority baggage delivery.
• Two free checked bags, weighing a maximum of 50 pounds each.

Related: We put AA and JetBlue to the test: Does the new alliance deliver on promised elite perks?

Both AAdvantage and TrueBlue elite members can receive the aforementioned benefits on any American or JetBlue flight by simply adding the membership number to the reservation.

Additionally, all loyalty program members can earn miles for flights operated by either carrier, and American AAdvantage members can redeem miles for JetBlue flights.

As for what's missing, JetBlue TrueBlue members still can't use their points for redemption on American flights, though that functionality is expected to be turned on "in the future."

And of course, many elite members are holding out hope that reciprocal upgrades will eventually be added for American and JetBlue flights. We haven't heard anything from either carrier about this much-requested perk, and only time will tell if it ever materializes.