JetBlue Plus Card – In-Depth 2025 Review

Quick Stats at a Glance

Card Overview and Positioning

The JetBlue Plus Card is an airline co-branded card from Barclays that offers 6x points on JetBlue purchases, plus daily-friendly categories like 2x at groceries and restaurants. The $99 annual fee is on par with other mid-tier airline cards. While the free checked bag only covers the primary cardholder (not companions by default), you do get a robust in-flight 50% discount, which can add up for snack/beer/wifi on JetBlue’s many route expansions. Fans of JetBlue’s comfortable seats, free wifi, and good customer service might see this card as the easiest way to accelerate TrueBlue points and possibly nudge you closer to Mosaic® status.

Earning Points & Everyday Spending

Typically, you earn:

• 6x points on JetBlue purchases
• 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores
• 1x point on all other purchases

The 6x is among the highest airline multipliers for flights on your own carrier. Meanwhile, the 2x categories let you accumulate more TrueBlue points from everyday errands. If you spend heavily on groceries or dining, that’s a decent chunk of extra points each month. This can offset the $99 annual fee if you value TrueBlue at ~1.3–1.5 cents per point. The card also provides 10% points rebate when you redeem for JetBlue award flights (in some older versions; confirm for 2025), effectively lowering your net redemption cost.

Redeeming Your TrueBlue Points

JetBlue uses a dynamic award pricing system where the points required generally relate to the cash cost of the ticket. Typically, you might see values around 1.2–1.5 centsper point for economy fares. Mint (JetBlue’s premium cabin) redemptions can yield higher or lower values depending on route/demand. Since JetBlue mostly focuses on the Americas, your redemption options are somewhat region-limited, though new expansions to London have introduced more long-haul opportunities. Also note that you can use points for JetBlue Vacations or for partner airlines (some limited partner award usage).

If you have older perks like the 10% redemption rebate(still listed for some cardmembers; verify if it remains in 2025), that effectively makes your points go further. For example, a 10k-point flight might only cost 9k net after the 1k rebate. That can push your redemption value to a comfortable position above 1.5 cents per point in many scenarios.

Travel & Airline Perks

• Free Checked Bag:Only for the primary cardmember on JetBlue flights (not for companions by default; always confirm the rules for 2025 because some promotions might come or go).
• 50% In-Flight Savings:On eligible purchases like cocktails, meals, wifi on JetBlue flights. You’ll see a statement credit after you pay with your card.
• Group Boarding Priority:Typically, you can board in an earlier group than general boarding, ensuring overhead bin space for your carry-on.
• Mosaic Qualifying Spend: Some large spend can help you progress toward Mosaic® status. Check current thresholds each year—sometimes $50k or more might net partial status benefits or additional perks.

These benefits are especially relevant if you frequently fly JetBlue on cross-country or Caribbean routes, where in-flight snacks, wifi, or bag checks might be standard in your travel routine.

No Foreign Transaction Fee & Global Travel

The JetBlue Plus Card has no FTF, so you can swipe it abroad without incurring 3% surcharges. JetBlue primarily focuses on North American/Caribbean routes, plus some limited transatlantic flights (e.g., London). But if you do go overseas, using this card won’t ding you for foreign currency purchases. As a Mastercard, acceptance is wide, making it a good fallback for global trips (though you might prefer a general travel card for broader lounge or insurance perks).

Annual Fee & Welcome Bonus

The card charges a $99 annual fee, typically not waived the first year. However, sign-up bonuses can range from 40k to 60k(or more) after a modest spend, plus sometimes a $100 statement credit or partial Mosaic benefit. These bonus points can easily be worth $500+ if you redeem for high-value flights. That’s a strong offset to your first-year fee. If you keep the card beyond year one, the 6x on JetBlue flights plus in-flight savings might justify the cost if you do a few JetBlue trips annually.

2025 Updates & Potential Changes

1. Possible Companion Perks:There’s chatter that JetBlue may introduce a companion pass style perk or partial discount for cardholders, but nothing confirmed. Keep an eye on official announcements.
2. Mosaic Earning Tweaks:JetBlue may adjust how credit card spend counts toward Mosaic. For instance, a certain high spend might directly grant partial Mosaic or extra perks.
3. New International Routes:As JetBlue expands transatlantic flights, the value of 6x on those flights might become more appealing, especially if competitor pricing is high.
4. Inflight Savings Rate Changes: The 50% discount might shift to 30% or 40% or become a statement credit. Always recheck the T&Cs each year.

These are speculations; the airline/issuer can alter card benefits. Always check official sources for the latest card details or new JetBlue routes that might boost your card usage.

Real-Life Example: How Much Can You Save?

Suppose you take 3 JetBlue round trips a year, each costing ~$400. You check a bag each time, buy $20 of snacks/wifi onboard per flight, and spend monthly on groceries/dining. Let’s see an approximate breakdown:

You might save around $340 in bag/in-flight costs, plus you gain an extra $100 in points from flight spending. That easily offsets the $99 AF if you repeat these flights yearly. If you also put your grocery/dining spend on it (2x) or big JetBlue flight purchases (6x), you’ll accumulate more TrueBlue points for future award flights.

Competitor Analysis

The JetBlue Plus stands out for JetBlue enthusiasts wanting robust flight earnings and inflight discounts. If you prefer a bigger route map or no assigned seats approach (like Southwest), or want more lounge perks, you might pick another card. But for East Coast or LA-based travelers who enjoy JetBlue’s comfort, it’s a compelling option.

Pairing JetBlue Plus with Other Cards

If you want strong grocery or dining multipliers beyond 2x, you might pair the JetBlue Plus with another card that offers 3–4% on groceries or 3x–4x on restaurants. Then, you’d use JetBlue Plus specifically for JetBlue flights to ensure the free bag and 6x points, plus the 50% inflight discount. You could also hold a premium travel card (like an Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve) for lounge networks or broader travel insurance coverage, but still rely on JetBlue Plus for the airline-specific perks and TrueBlue synergy.

JetBlue Mosaic® Status & Card Synergy

If you’re aiming for Mosaic® (JetBlue’s elite tier), you need a combination of flight segments or spend-based thresholds (these have changed over years). The JetBlue Plus can help: historically, spending $50k in a calendar year might directly earn you Mosaic or certain bonus points. For 2025, check if a portion of your card spend can convert to Mosaic-qualifying points or how many flight segments can be supplemented by card usage. Once you have Mosaic, you enjoy free change/cancellation on many fares, free first/bag, and even more inflight perks. The card helps complement that journey if you can put heavy spend on it.

Potential Downsides

• $99 Annual Fee:Not waived the first year; you must offset it with free bag, inflight savings, or points.
• Free Bag for Primary Only:Companions do not automatically get a free bag (unlike some airline cards that extend to companions). If traveling as a couple/family, the bag perk is less powerful.
• Limited Route Network:JetBlue is strong in the East Coast (especially NYC, Boston) and expanding in LA, Florida, Caribbean, but if you’re in a region with minimal JetBlue presence, you might not benefit as much.
• In-Flight Savings vs. Others: Some airline cards offer 25%–30% discount, but the 50% from JetBlue is indeed high— so not truly a con unless it changes. Just watch for any policy shifts.

Advanced Usage Tips

1. Book Direct for 6x:Ensure you purchase JetBlue flights through jetblue.com or the JetBlue app to get the 6x. Third-party OTAs might not code for the full multiplier.
2. Max Out Grocery & Dining 2x: If you won’t use a separate 3–4x grocery card, funnel your supermarket and restaurant spending here to rack up TrueBlue points quickly.
3. Monitor Potential Mosaic Promotions: Sometimes JetBlue runs spend-based challenges or short promotions that let you accelerate Mosaic if you meet certain spend or flight combos. Keep an eye on your email or JetBlue’s site for updates.
4. Take Advantage of 50% Inflight Savings:Even water or wifi can add up. If you do multiple flights a year, you might save $100 or more simply from that discount.
5. Use Points for Mint Deals (If You Find Them):JetBlue’s Mint cabin can be quite comfy. A well-timed redemption on a cross-country or transatlantic route might yield decent cpm value. Check frequently for dynamic fluctuations.

Another Example: Dining & Grocery Focus

Suppose annually you spend $3,000 on JetBlue flights, $4,000 on groceries, $3,000 on dining, and $5,000 on other spend. Let’s see approximate points:

That’s 37,000 TrueBlue points in one year from spend alone, worth perhaps $500 or more on JetBlue flights, overshadowing the $99 fee. Add in a sign-up bonus (e.g., 50k points) and your first year’s total can easily be near 87k points. If you redeem them for transcontinental flights, you might score multiple round trips. Meanwhile, you get the free bag, in-flight discount, and potential Mosaic partial credits if spending thresholds apply.

Who Should Get the JetBlue Plus Card?

Disclaimers & Fine Print

Terms, sign-up offers, and earning categories can change. Always verify the official Barclays or JetBlue site for up-to-date APR, bonus promotions, and baggage policies. The free bag perk typically applies only if you use the card to purchase the flight (and if your TrueBlue number is on the reservation). The 50% in-flight discount is posted as a statement credit (not an immediate discount at purchase), and it might exclude certain items. Some older perks like the 10% point rebate may be gone for new cardholders—confirm for 2025. If you revolve a balance, interest costs likely overshadow any flight savings. Good/excellent credit is usually required for approval.

Final Thoughts: Is the JetBlue Plus Card Worth It?

For JetBlue fans, the JetBlue Plus Cardis a go-to mid-tier option. The 6x on flights and 2x on groceries/dining accelerate your TrueBlue balance quickly. You’ll enjoy the free bag for yourself, 50% off inflight purchases,and potential synergy to reach Mosaic® status if you can meet high spend levels.Despite the $99 fee, you can easily surpass that in annual savings if you do just a couple of JetBlue flights (bag fees or in-flight wifi alone might cover it).

If you want more robust coverage for traveling abroad or free bags for companions, or lounge networks, you might consider a different airline card or a premium travel card. But for those who love JetBlue’s comfortable seats, seat-back screens, or expansions into new markets, the JetBlue Plus Card stands out as a strong “everyday earner + flight perk” combination. Just confirm the official sign-up bonus and T&Cs to see if it aligns with your 2025 flight patterns.