JetBlue now allows Blue Basic award redemptions — and tickets are as low as 700 points
If you're a JetBlue loyalist, you've probably noticed that you have not previously been able to redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points on the airline's least expensive fare option, Blue Basic (JetBlue's version of basic economy). Starting this week though, that has changed. JetBlue now has TrueBlue points redemptions available for every class of service — and we're seeing redemptions for as low as 700 points for Blue Basic.
Here's what you need to know about JetBlue's new Blue Basic points redemptions.
JetBlue Blue Basic explained
JetBlue has several levels of seat selection. Blue Basic is the least expensive option, but it's also the most restrictive. The ticket cannot be changed, and there is a fee to select a seat.
Blue Basic is also the last boarding group, and while you are permitted a free carry-on bag, the airline says this is "space permitting." However, if you're looking for great value for money and now points, this is the option for you.
For comparison, regular economy seats, or the Blue level, also include a free carry-on bag (space permitting) — but seat selection is free, and there's no fee to change or cancel a booking.
Related: JetBlue walks back most restrictive part of basic economy policy
The deals
As an example of the deals on offer, you can now book a flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C., for just 700 TrueBlue points. (Credit goes to Ryan Smith at Upgraded Points for bringing this redemption to our attention.)
What's especially impressive about this 700-point redemption is that an award redemption for a Blue fare is more than triple this number of points. And on a short shuttle flight such as this, the experience flying Blue Basic and Blue will be largely the same.
For most other routes, we're seeing redemptions between popular destinations for less than 5,000 points in Blue Basic. For example, this flight from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in April is 4,900 points.
And this March flight from New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) is only 4,200 points.
Added benefits for Mosaic status flyers
JetBlue rewards the most frequent flyers in its TrueBlue loyalty program with Mosaic status. Although not all the program perks are available when flying Blue Basic, some carry over and will also work with a Blue Basic redemption, including:
- Priority security (where available)
- First two checked bags free
- Complimentary beer, wine and liquor (up to three drinks per Mosaic member per flight)
- Even More Space seat at check-in at no extra cost
- Same-day switches with no fee or fare difference
- Dedicated check-in lines and phone support
Related: JetBlue Mosaic elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Best credit cards for earning and redeeming TrueBlue points
JetBlue offers four different cobranded credit cards (all issued by Barclays).
Those who apply for the JetBlue Premier Card can earn 70,000 bonus points and 5 Tiles toward Mosaic elite status after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening. Cardholders will earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
There's the JetBlue Plus Card, currently offering 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 and pay the annual fee ($99) in full within the first 90 days. The card earns 6 points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and certain grocery stores and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Related: JetBlue TrueBlue program explained
Meanwhile, the JetBlue Card offers 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days. With this card, you can earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Finally, there's the JetBlue Business Card, which has a 60,000-point bonus offer: The first 50,000 points of the welcome bonus are released after you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days. The final 10,000 points are released when a purchase is made using an employee card in the first 90 days. This card will earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and office supply stores and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
You can also transfer points to JetBlue from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Do note, however, that the transfer ratio varies. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio, but American Express points transfer at a 250:200 ratio. Meanwhile, the Citi ThankYou transfer ratio can vary depending on the card you're using. Make sure to check transfer rates before you make any moves.
The information for the JetBlue Premier, JetBlue Plus, JetBlue Card, and JetBlue Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
If you've been holding on to JetBlue points waiting for a great redemption opportunity, this new Blue Basic option is for you. Just remember, there are some restrictions that come with the basic fare — but for 700 points, what do you have to lose?
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.