Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

JetBlue Quietly Increases Baggage Fees … Again!

Carissa Rawson's image
Carissa Rawson
Carissa Rawson's image

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

319 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 51U.S. States Visited: 36

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business ...
Edited by: Juan Ruiz
Juan Ruiz's image

Juan Ruiz

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

229 Published Articles 866 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 41U.S. States Visited: 28

Juan has extensive experience in writing and editing content related to credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel. He has been honing his expertise in this field for over a decade. His work has been ...
& Katie Seemann
Katie Seemann's image

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

391 Published Articles 62 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 29U.S. States Visited: 29

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, F...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Remember when we all thought bag fees were going to be temporary? Just until the cost of fuel goes down, right? Not only are the fees here to stay, but they are also rising, much like inflation.

JetBlue is the most recent airline to hike baggage costs, and it was done discreetly and without much publicity — twice in 2 months. The fee you pay to check your back will now depend on when you check your luggage and when you’re flying.

Let’s take a look at the details of this most recent baggage price hike.

JetBlue Adds Peak and Off-Peak Pricing

JetBlue raised the cost to check your bag on February 1, 2024, and it has now gone one step further by adding peak and off-peak pricing to its baggage fee chart. The price you’ll pay will depend not only on when you choose to check your bag, your fare class, and where you’re going but also on when you’re flying.

The peak and off-peak pricing applies to bookings made on or after March 22, 2024. These peak travel dates include:

  • April 11, 2024 to April 29, 2024
  • June 20, 2024 to September 3, 2024
  • November 21, 2024 to December 2, 2024
  • December 19, 2024 to January 6, 2025
  • February 13, 2025 to February 24, 2025
  • April 3, 2025 to April 28, 2025

Those traveling in Blue Basic, Blue, and Blue Extra fare classes will need to pay to check bags, while anyone with Blue Plus or Mint will be able to check bags for free.

If you pay for a checked bag more than 24 hours in advance, the cost is $35 for your first bag during off-peak dates and $40 during peak dates.

New JetBlue Peak baggage pricing
JetBlue’s new peak and off-peak baggage pricing offers lower pricing more than 24 hours before departure. Image Credit: JetBlue

Procrastinators and those who didn’t actually think they’d need to check a bag are out of luck. Rates for checking your bag less than 24 hours before departure are $45 for the first bag during off-peak times and $50 during peak dates.

New JetBlue peak baggage pricing within 24 hours
Those who wait and pay for a checked bag within 24 hours will pay more. Image Credit: JetBlue

How to Avoid Checked Bag Fees

As you’ll likely note up there, there are a few ways to give JetBlue’s bag fees a miss. Those who have The JetBlue Plus Card can check a bag for free, no matter their fare class, as long as they use the card to pay. Those who have JetBlue elite status are also eligible for free checked bags, which makes this a valuable perk for Mosaic members.

Finally, several cards will offer credits that reimburse you for incidental travel expenses, upon enrollment. This includes The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, among others.

You’ll want to double-check the features on these cards since some may automatically reimburse, while others require you to enroll before you can get the benefit.

Bottom Line:

JetBlue increased the fee for checking your bag on February 1, 2024, and subsequently added peak and off-peak pricing for tickets booked on March 22, 2024, or after. The cost to check your bag will vary based on your check-in timing, fare class, destination, and dates of travel. Pre-booking your checked bag more than 24 hours before departure can help you save on checked bag fees.

Final Thoughts

It’s never good news when new fees get passed along to customers, and JetBlue has been on a tear recently. JetBlue raised prices for checked luggage in February and has now added peak and off-peak pricing.

Unfortunately, those who check their bags last-minute are the heaviest hit, with fees of up to $50 for a single checked bag.

The information regarding the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Carissa Rawson's image

About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status