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JetBlue makes no-notice devaluation to travel credits

March 08, 2023
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4 min read
JetBlue Airbus A320
JetBlue makes no-notice devaluation to travel credits
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When the pandemic first started, JetBlue Airways became the first U.S. carrier to scrap change and cancellation fees in February 2020.

Fast forward three years later, and the New York-based carrier is clawing back some of the flexibility that travelers have enjoyed when making modifications to their flights — without providing any notice.

As of March 8, all newly issued JetBlue credits will only be valid for one year from the date of your original booking.

Previously, when making changes or cancellations to JetBlue flights, you'd receive a credit to your so-called Travel Bank that could be used within one year of the date you made the modification.

For example, say you book a regular "Blue" economy ticket with JetBlue on April 1, 2023, for travel on Dec. 23, 2023. If you decide to change or cancel your ticket in the days leading up to Christmas, you'll still receive a credit for the full value of your ticket, but it will only be valid through April 1, 2024.

Historically, the credit would've been valid for an entire year from the date you canceled.

As you can see, this is a notable devaluation to JetBlue's travel credit policy, especially for those who like to lock in their tickets far in advance.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

But what stings perhaps even more than the devaluation itself is the way in which JetBlue made the change. The carrier loaded the policy update to its website without giving travelers a heads-up or providing a window in which to take advantage of the old, more generous policy.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but JetBlue chose to make the policy adjustment on the same day that it announced its much-anticipated New York-to-Paris transatlantic route. Tuesday also happened to be the day that the Department of Justice formally filed its lawsuit against JetBlue's proposed merger with Spirit Airlines.

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Maybe the airline thought it wouldn't draw much attention if it made the adjustment on a busy news day. For its part, JetBlue defended the move by saying that "customers are welcome to use these funds to book any available JetBlue flight for sale, with our schedule always extending at least 331 days, as long as travel is booked prior to the Travel Bank expiration."

However, the ability to book travel beyond the expiration date of your JetBlue credit has long been the airline's policy, so there's no real way to sugarcoat this devaluation.

All JetBlue fares can be changed or canceled without any fees, except for the airline's Blue Basic fares. These basic economy tickets can be modified for $100 for travel within North America, Central America or the Caribbean, or $200 for all other routes, before paying any applicable fare difference.

Though JetBlue's policy change will no doubt be frustrating to loyal flyers, the airline's revised travel credit expiration policy now closely matches that of its major competitors.

Travel credits on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all generally expire within one year of the original booking date.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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. (Partner offer)

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  • 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.
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