JetBlue and Etihad expand partnership to include mileage earning, award redemptions
JetBlue is bolstering its partnership with a major Gulf airline. The New York-based carrier has expanded its partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways to include certain loyalty benefits.
That means you can now use your JetBlue TrueBlue points to book a flight aboard Etihad — or vice versa. The same goes for earning miles.
Growing partnership
JetBlue and Etihad have been partners for close to a decade, but their linkup has been a much simpler codeshare arrangement, allowing travelers to book itineraries with seamless connections between the two carriers.
Until now, Etihad Guest and TrueBlue loyalists have been unable to earn or redeem frequent flyer miles when booking travel on the opposite carrier.
That’s about to change.
TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members can now earn and redeem points in the loyalty program of their choice when flying on either airline's network, JetBlue shared in a statement Tuesday.
Related: The ultimate guide to Etihad Airways partners: How to earn and redeem Etihad Guest miles
What this means for travelers
Adding Etihad as a loyalty partner will bring the Abu Dhabi-based airline more in line with JetBlue's other frequent flyer program tie-ups, including those with Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Icelandair.
From time to time, JetBlue’s other partnerships have produced compelling opportunities for travelers to find business-class partner award deals using TrueBlue points, such as in Qatar’s Qsuite.
If you have a stash of TrueBlue points — or credit card rewards that transfer to JetBlue or Etihad — this partnership could open up more flexibility and opportunities for redemptions.
You can redeem the following TrueBlue points per person for one-way Etihad-operated flights from U.S. airports to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH):
- 59,900 points for economy
- 135,900 points for business class
First-class award seats are not available at this time.
Note that this is significantly higher than the price TrueBlue charges for flights operated by Qatar Airways between the same city routes. In those cases, you will need just 46,000 points for economy or 89,000 points for business class. Because of this, you should only consider booking on Etihad when Qatar Airways flights are unavailable.
If you have transferable miles and wish to book Etihad flights, consider booking through Air Canada Aeroplan.
From the U.S. to the Middle East, you will need:
- 55,000 points for economy
- 85,000 points for business class
- 120,000 points for first class (when available)
To redeem Etihad Guest miles for JetBlue flights, follow the partner redemption chart.
Flights under 500 miles in length, such as those from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), start from 5,000 Etihad Guest miles in economy class. Expect to redeem up to 60,000 Etihad Guest miles for transcontinental flights and up to 80,000 miles for flights to Europe in Mint business class.
Related: Style and substance: Flying JetBlue Mint Suites to Paris
No elite status benefits
Despite the bolstered partnership between JetBlue and Etihad, there is one downside: There are no reciprocal elite status perks for Mosaic members traveling aboard Etihad or Etihad Guest elite members flying with JetBlue.
For now, at least, the partnership will be limited to an “earn and burn” arrangement, a JetBlue spokesperson told TPG. That means you can now earn or redeem miles on either carrier in the loyalty program of your choice — but the reciprocal benefits will largely stop there.
Related reading:
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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
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- 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.
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- $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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
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
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.