JetBlue loyalists now have more options when it comes to using points to travel across the Atlantic, thanks to an expanded partnership with a European airline.
As of this week, members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program can now earn and redeem points on flights operated by German leisure carrier Condor.
And from the outset, we're seeing some fantastic redemption options, with one-way business-class awards to Europe starting at 54,000 TrueBlue points.
Condor operates nonstop flights between Frankfurt and a host of major U.S. cities, including New York City; Boston; Miami; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Las Vegas; Anchorage, Alaska; and Portland, Oregon.
From Frankfurt Airport (FRA), flyers can head to other German cities or European hot spots like Paris, Prague, Rome, Vienna and Zurich, among other destinations.
Now, as part of the two airlines' expanded tie-up, TrueBlue members with a stash of points will be able to use those on transatlantic trips aboard Condor, which offers a bona fide business-class cabin with lie-flat seats on its colorful, striped planes.
On day one of this loyalty partnership, there were some fairly attractive redemption options for TrueBlue members.
Here's an example: a spring trip from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt. One-way economy awards start at 19,000 points, with premium economy seats available for 34,000 TrueBlue points. And, you see business-class on sale for 54,000 points.
The loyalty partnership will also allow frequent JetBlue flyers to earn points when they're flying Condor on a cash fare. (JetBlue's expanding European route map does not currently include any nonstop flights to Germany.)
“Through our collaboration with Condor, TrueBlue members now have more ways to turn their loyalty into meaningful travel experiences," Ed Pouthier, JetBlue's vice president of loyalty and personalization, said in a statement Tuesday. "We’re proud to continue growing the TrueBlue program in ways that meet the needs of today’s traveler by offering access to a wider range of destinations around the world.”
JetBlue's expanded partner list
JetBlue has different tiers across its dozens of partner airlines. Some JetBlue partners, like Japan Airlines, are “redeem-only” partners, meaning flyers can redeem TrueBlue points for these flights but can’t earn them.
Other airlines — Singapore Airlines, JSX and South African Airways — are “earn-only” partners, meaning flyers can earn TrueBlue points on these flights but can’t redeem them.
Condor is now an “earn and redeem” partner, so TrueBlue flyers can get maximum value out of flying with the German carrier. JetBlue has similar arrangements in place with TAP Air Portugal, Icelandair, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
This expanded partnership between the New York-based carrier and Condor comes as JetBlue continues to grow its network of partners and expand the utility of its TrueBlue points. Notably, its "Blue Sky" partnership with United Airlines is expected to launch in the coming months.
What about elite status?
One important thing to note, though, is that the TrueBlue points you earn flying with Condor won’t help you earn Mosaic Tiles and therefore won’t count toward elite status with JetBlue. Instead, you'll have to earn elite status through qualified spending on JetBlue-specific flights and vacations or by spending on JetBlue cobranded credit cards.
TrueBlue members can shop for eligible award flights operated by Condor, redeem TrueBlue points for these itineraries and earn points by adding their TrueBlue number directly on JetBlue's website or the JetBlue mobile app.
Related reading:
