JetBlue teams up with Brightline in new air-and-rail partnership
Just days removed from announcing a major new partnership with United Airlines, JetBlue is teaming up with another transportation partner — this time, on the rails.
The New York-based airline on Tuesday announced a new partnership with Brightline, the nation's first private, intercity rail operator. As part of the tie-up, JetBlue customers will be able to book itineraries that feature both a flight and a train trip.
Bookings were expected to go live right away on the airline's website.
Read more: JetBlue launches TrueBlue redemptions on Japan Airlines flights to Tokyo and beyond
Brightline looks to the skies
It's a big step forward for Brightline, less than two years after it launched a sizable extension of its Florida rail service, linking the Sunshine State's coast with the terminals at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Brightline's close proximity to air passengers in Orlando should make this linkage particularly useful for JetBlue flyers: You could fly to Orlando, and then connect seamlessly to one of Brightline's five stations on the coast: West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and downtown Miami.
JetBlue has a sizable presence in Florida, particularly in Orlando and at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
The partnership will also offer itinerary alternatives for JetBlue passengers who run into flight trouble in Florida, which can be all too common on spring and summer afternoons. For example, if you got stranded in Orlando and needed to get to Miami, you could hop on a Brightline train instead of waiting for a flight.
"Together we're expanding transportation options for all of our customers to get to where they want to go, whether they're starting their journey, heading to their final destination, or adjusting plans along the way," said Dave Jehn, JetBlue's vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, in a statement announcing the news.
How the JetBlue-Brightline partnership will work
All you'll need to do to book a Brightline train connection on JetBlue is go to the airline's website or mobile app and plug in the city (not necessarily the airport) you're hoping to visit.
For example, let's say I wanted to travel from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Aventura, on the Florida coast.
Check out the below itinerary from JetBlue, which includes a flight from JFK to Orlando, and then a connection to a Brightline train segment (you can see where it says "operated by Brightline").
As part of the linkage between airline and rail operator, JetBlue-Brightline connections will include complimentary shuttle service between airports and nearby stations.
Plus, there will be some carry-over in product, whether you're booking a coach seat on JetBlue, or a spot in its premium cabin.
Product consistency
On air and rail bookings, JetBlue economy tickets will be matched up with a standard "Smart" fare on Brightline. Passengers flying Mint will then shift into Brightline's premium cars.
Those bookings typically come with access to Brightline's lounge in Orlando.
Review: The future of 'high-speed' rail in America? Here's what it was like taking Brightline in Florida
"This partnership enables travelers to book a single ticket for both air and rail, offering a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly rail transportation option while seamlessly connecting to JetBlue's extensive network," Barbara Drahl, Brightline senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy, said in a statement Tuesday.
No loyalty tie-in, for now
One downside? At least from the outset, JetBlue does not plan to offer TrueBlue earnings and redemptions on Brightline trips.
Expanding air-and-rail stateside
JetBlue and Brightline aren't the first U.S. airlines and rail operators companies to team up — but most of the existing arrangements involve air and rail connections overseas.
For instance, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines offer rail connections in Europe, and a myriad of international carriers offer joint plane and train itineraries, such as Lufthansa's Rail&Fly tickets that allow passengers to connect to Germany's Deutsche Bahn.
Brightline moves forward
Word of Brightline's first partnership with a U.S. airline came about two months after the rail operator rolled out its first loyalty program.
Meanwhile, it is also expanding westward with a new high-speed line under construction between Las Vegas and Southern California, slated to open later this decade.
Bottom line
Brightline's expansion in Florida set the stage for new connectivity opportunities with airlines, and that's what JetBlue is capitalizing on with this new partnership.
TrueBlue members won't be able to earn or redeem on train rides, for now — so it's worth watching whether the carrier explores some sort of loyalty tie-in down the road.
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- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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.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.