New JetBlue Credit Cards Offer More Miles & Perks After Leaving Amex
One year after announcing that it decided to end its partnership with American Express, JetBlue has revealed its new lineup of credit cards, which is now issued through Barclaycard and with acceptance on the MasterCard network.
The new offerings include two personal credit cards and one business credit card -- JetBlue Card, JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card. Additionally, existing JetBlue credit card customers who opened their accounts through American Express will receive a separate grandfathered credit card -- JetBlue Rewards Card -- that will not be available to new customers.
All of the cards will allow customers to earn points under JetBlue’s TrueBlue frequent flyer program.
The table below shows the details for each of the new JetBlue cards (and the JetBlue American Express card for comparison):
JetBlue Credit Cards 2016
| Card | JetBlue Card | JetBlue Plus Card | JetBlue Business Card | JetBlue Rewards Card | JetBlue American Express (no longer available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $99 | $99 | $40 | $40, waived first year |
| Sign-up Bonus | 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days (limited time offer) | 30,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days | 30,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days | N/A (conversion) | 20,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days |
| Earn Points | - 3X points on JetBlue purchases - 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores - 1X points on all other purchases | - 6X points on JetBlue purchases - 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores - 1X points on all other purchases | - 6X points on JetBlue purchases - 2X points at restaurants and office supply stores - 1X points on all other purchases | - 4X points on JetBlue purchases - 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores - 1X points on all other purchases | - 2X points on JetBlue purchases - 1X points on all other purchases |
| Anniversary Bonus | None | 5,000 bonus points on every account anniversary | 5,000 bonus points on every account anniversary | None | None |
| Travel Benefits | - 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases | - 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases - Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 guests on the same JetBlue reservation | - 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases - Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 guests on the same JetBlue reservation | - 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases - One-time $100 companion travel discount after $500 in purchases by 6/30/16 | - 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases |
| Mosaic Earning | N/A | Mosaic benefits each year after spending at least $50,000 | Mosaic benefits each year after spending at least $50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Redemption Bonus | None | 10% | 10% | 5% | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None | None | None | 2.7% |
| Getaway Package Benefit | None | Annual $100 statement credit, after purchase of a Getaway Vacation Package for $100 or more | Annual $100 statement credit, after purchase of a Getaway Vacation Package for $100 or more | Annual $50 statement credit, after purchase of a Getaway Vacation Package for $50 or more | $50 statement credit each year on a Getaway Vacation Package |
| EMV Chip | Yes (chip-and-signature with PIN option upon request) | Yes (chip-and-signature with PIN option upon request) | Yes (chip-and-signature with PIN option upon request) | Yes (chip-and-signature with PIN option upon request) | No |
Compared to the old JetBlue credit card offered by American Express, the new line of JetBlue credit cards offers more options with increased card benefits. These are some noteworthy highlights:
- The entry-level JetBlue Card has no annual fee, which is rare for any airline credit card. Most airline-branded credit cards will charge an annual fee, even for the lowest-tiered cards. The lack of an annual fee makes the JetBlue card very attractive even for people who don’t fly regularly with JetBlue.
- The new JetBlue credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees and each card comes with an EMV chip, which provides a safer credit card transaction. The JetBlue Amex offered neither feature. The default chip is chip-and-signature, but customers can request chip-and-PIN capability.
- The JetBlue Rewards Card stands as a middle-tier card that is only available through conversion from the JetBlue Amex.
- The newly-added 2X points earning categories help these JetBlue cards stand out compared to other airline credit cards out there. These categories cover very common purchases -- making it easier to rack points for free flights.
- By joining the MasterCard network, cardmembers can expect card acceptance at more merchants.
- The introduction of redemption bonuses allows customers to increase the value of their miles.
New way to earn Mosaic elite traveler status
Under the TrueBlue program, customers can obtain an elite travel status called “Mosaic.” To earn Mosaic status, you must either fly 30 segments plus earn 12,000 base flight points or earn 15,000 base flight points. The status effect is applied for the year after one of these requirements are met.
Each segment is an origin-destination pair. So, a round-trip flight counts as two segments. Base flight points include the 3 flight points per dollar earned on all JetBlue flights. Bonus points, points earned through partners and points earned through JetBlue credit cards do not count toward Mosaic status.
With the JetBlue Plus or Business cards, you can actually earn Mosaic status without being limited to purchasing JetBlue airfare. As long as you spend $50,000 on either card, you’ll get Mosaic status, regardless of what type of purchases they are. However, the spending threshold can be rather difficult to achieve. It may still be easier to earn Mosaic status through the standard options. For instance, 15,000 flight points can be earned with just $5,000 spent on JetBlue airfare.
Benefits of Mosaic status include free first and second checked bags, no change or cancellation fees, expedited security line access, priority boarding, an addition 3 TrueBlue points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights dedicated customers service and more.
Conversion of current JetBlue Amex card customers
Within the next week, existing JetBlue credit card customers with an American Express card will receive their new JetBlue Rewards Card, which they can begin using on March 21, 2016. The existing JetBlue Amex was phased out on March 20, 2016.
If you have a Jetblue Amex, you are advised to monitor your last payments carefully. Your automatic payments will be canceled and any recurring online bill payments to the account ended as of March 21, 2016. (Your new JetBlue Rewards Card number will not be the same.) The account will also be inaccessible through American Express online accounts starting on that date.
Because the points earned through the JetBlue Amex are stored under JetBlue’s TrueBlue program, there is no need to worry about losing points due to the end of the American Express relationship. At the moment, there is no change to the TrueBlue program.
JetBlue remains an airline partner under the American Express Membership Rewards program. If you have other American Express credit cards that participate in the Membership Rewards program, you can still transfer Membership Rewards points to your TrueBlue account as usual.
