Barclays JetBlue Plus Card Review: Robust Rewards and Travel Perks
Discover if the JetBlue Plus Card is your ideal travel companion. This review explores its robust rewards, like 6x points on JetBlue, and valuable perks, including free checked bags, that make flying more rewarding.
| Annual Fee | $99.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus points |
| Rewards Rate | Earn 1x-6x points |
| Intro APR | 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. |
| Regular APR | 19.49% to 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post to your account within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49% to 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. 29.74% This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Other Fees | Balance transfer fee Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $1.00. Cash advance and fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 0%. |
Overview
For loyal JetBlue flyers, the JetBlue Plus Card is a top-tier choice that makes earning rewards and traveling more comfortable a breeze. Its rewards structure is impressive, starting with a whopping 6 points per dollar on eligible JetBlue purchases and a solid 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores. New cardholders can also get a significant head start with a generous sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days. This combination of a high earning rate and a valuable welcome offer makes it one of the most compelling airline co-branded cards available.
Beyond the points, the card's real value shines through its practical travel perks, which can easily offset the $99 annual fee. Cardholders get their first checked bag free, a benefit that extends to up to three companions on the same reservation, potentially saving a family hundreds of dollars on a single round trip. Other key benefits include a 5,000-point bonus every year on your account anniversary, 10% of your points back every time you redeem for a JetBlue-operated award flight, and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Ultimately, the JetBlue Plus Card is built for anyone who flies JetBlue at least a couple of times a year. If you can take advantage of the free checked bag benefit and enjoy the accelerated path to earning award flights, this card delivers value far beyond its annual fee. While its high APR means it's best for those who pay their balance in full, its robust rewards and travel perks make it a must-have for frequent flyers of the airline.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on airline purchases and everyday spending
- Intro APR period on balance transfers
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free checked bags and other airline travel perks
- Flexible travel redemption options
Things to consider
- Annual fee
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fee
Benefits
An Accessible & Valuable Sign-Up Bonus
The JetBlue Plus Card starts strong with an attractive sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending a mere $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days and paying the annual fee. This spending requirement is significantly lower than what you'll find on many competing travel cards, making the bonus exceptionally easy to earn. The 60,000 points are valuable enough for one or more round-trip flights, providing substantial upfront value that far outweighs the card's modest annual fee.
High-Flying Rewards on JetBlue & Everyday Spending
This card is a powerhouse for JetBlue loyalists, offering a stellar 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases. This high earning rate is a clear standout in the airline card market. The value continues on the ground with 2X points at both restaurants and eligible grocery stores, turning everyday essentials into future travel. All other purchases earn a standard 1X point. This rewarding structure ensures you’re racking up points quickly whether you're booking a flight or just running errands.
Powerful Perks That Justify the Annual Fee
Beyond points, the JetBlue Plus Card is packed with benefits that provide tangible, ongoing value. The most significant perk is a free first checked bag for you and up to three companions on the same reservation, which can save a family of four hundreds of dollars on a single round trip. Cardholders also receive a unique 10% rebate on points redeemed for JetBlue award flights, effectively stretching the value of every point you earn. To top it off, you'll get 5,000 bonus points every year on your account anniversary and a $100 statement credit annually when you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more. Together, these benefits can easily offset the card's $99 annual fee, making it a clear winner for frequent JetBlue flyers.
Drawbacks
The primary limitation of the JetBlue Plus Card is its specificity. The card's excellent benefits and high-value rewards are almost exclusively tied to flying with JetBlue. If you aren't a frequent JetBlue traveler, or if you value the flexibility to book flights across different airlines, you'll find it difficult to maximize this card's value. The TrueBlue points program lacks the transfer partners that make general travel rewards programs so versatile.
While the card’s perks can easily outweigh the $99 annual fee for a loyalist, casual flyers might struggle to break even. Furthermore, this card is a poor choice for anyone who carries a balance month-to-month. Its regular APR ranges from 19.49% to 29.49%, which is high and can quickly negate the value of any points you earn. Similarly, while the card offers an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers, the accompanying 5% transfer fee is higher than the industry standard, making it a costly option for consolidating debt.
Decision Guidance
This card is an excellent fit for loyal JetBlue flyers, particularly families or groups who check luggage. The free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and up to three companions can easily save you more than the $99 annual fee on a single round-trip flight. However, if you prefer to fly with different airlines or never check bags, a more flexible travel rewards card would offer better overall value.
Summary
The JetBlue Plus Card is a clear winner for anyone who flies the airline at least a couple of times a year, especially with companions. Its free checked bag benefit can easily save more than the $99 annual fee on a single trip, while the accelerated rewards rate on JetBlue flights and valuable anniversary bonus make earning award travel significantly faster. If JetBlue is your airline of choice, this card delivers value that is hard to beat.