Do JetBlue’s New Ways To Earn and Redeem Points Provide Good Value?

JetBlue is shaking up the way its TrueBlue members can earn and spend their points.

The New York-based airline has just announced a subscription service and introduced the ability to use points for extras such as seat selection and checked bags.

“We’re giving our customers more control, more flexibility, and more ways to make every trip their own while earning and saving along the way,” said Ed Pouthier, vice president of loyalty and personalization at JetBlue.

Let’s take a look at the details.

Is It Worth Starting a JetBlue TrueBlue Subscription?

In a nutshell, it depends on your travel habits.

The aptly named “Points on Repeat” subscription offers members not only the opportunity to earn bonus monthly points, but also increased points earning per dollar spent and a discount on award redemptions.

JetBlue‘s new subscription service has 3 levels that increase in price: Points Traveler, Points Adventurer, and Points Trailblazer. Subscriptions also work out cheaper when the annual fee is paid up front, rather than monthly.

The prices and benefits of each level are detailed below.

Upgraded Points values JetBlue’s TrueBlue points at 1.3 cents per point. Let’s use that to determine the cents-per-point cost for the monthly bonus points earned at each subscription level.

The only option that appears to offer a deal is the Points Traveler subscription, which costs $144 annually and gives 1,000 points per month. This option means you’re effectively paying 1.2 cents per point.

Paying monthly for a Points Trailblazer membership will mean your bonus monthly points cost 2.7 cents per point — that’s more than double! However, the midtier Points Adventurer and top tier Points Trailblazer have the additional bonus of more points for every dollar spent.

Depending on how often you book JetBlue flights, this could significantly reduce the cents per point cost of your bonus points.

Points Adventurer and Points Trailblazer subscribers who are TrueBlue or Mosaic members, or have a co-branded JetBlue credit card, will technically get the most value out of a membership thanks to the associated additional benefits detailed below.

There is definitely some value to be gained from JetBlue’s new subscription service. However, the subscriptions favor those who fly JetBlue the most, have TrueBlue status, or have one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards.

For those who don’t fly JetBlue too often but want to increase their stash of JetBlue points, then paying $144 upfront for 1,000 bonus points per month does bring true value for money.

New Ways To Redeem TrueBlue Points

JetBlue also introduced new ways for TrueBlue members to redeem their points. In addition to the flight itself, customers will be able to use points to offset the cost of ancillaries, including seat upgrades (EvenMore, Core Preferred, and Extra Legroom), checked bags, pet fees, and priority security screening at select airports.

We reached out to JetBlue to find out how many points the new redemption options would require, but JetBlue has not provided details.

Until then, we can say from experience that using points in this way doesn’t usually provide great value.

Final Thoughts

The news of JetBlue’s subscription service and new ways to redeem TrueBlue points adds to the list of reasons why the New York-based airline is hitting headlines.

There is certainly value in the subscription service, depending on the type of JetBlue traveler you are. However, the jury is still out on whether the new ways to redeem points will be worth using. We’ll update you as soon as we learn more.