The Beginner’s Guide to the TrueBlue Loyalty Program
The TrueBlue program is the frequent-flyer program of JetBlue Airways. TrueBlue points are easy to earn due to flying with JetBlue and their partner airlines, spending money on a transferrable currency credit card, or through dining and shopping portals. This guide will give you the basics of redeeming your miles for award flights that provide your points maximum value.
TrueBlue Redemption Basics
You can earn JetBlue points by flying some of JetBlue’s partner airlines, including some unique ones, comprising Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, Icelandair, JSX, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and most recently, American Airlines. Once you transfer your points to TrueBlue miles, you can redeem your miles for travel on a JetBlue Airways or partner-operated flight.
JetBlue has various airline partners; however, you can only redeem TrueBlue points on Hawaiian Airlines and soon American Airlines. To book an award on Hawaiian Airlines, you will need to call 1-800-JETBLUE. JetBlue’s future partnership with American Airlines means that you’ll eventually be able to move points from a transferable currency to JetBlue and fly on an American Airlines flight. Thus, you are allowing for a more extensive range of flights with your JetBlue points.
How Much Do Award Flights Cost?
The cost of an award flight with JetBlue is directly tied to the price of the flight. Therefore, the cheaper the flight, the fewer points are required. Because JetBlue’s award flights are linked to the cost of the flight, it is generally referred to as a revenue-based loyalty program. So keep an eye out for deals and promotions with JetBlue to grab a low-priced award flight.
However, there is no one standard rate for any given flight. The award flight costs can vary significantly from one itinerary to another, even on the same day. To determine the value of your JetBlue points for any potential trip, you can divide the cash price by the number of JetBlue points required. Generally speaking, if the value is more than 1.3 cents per point, you are getting an excellent deal to redeem your JetBlue points.
If you don’t have enough points to book an award ticket and have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I highly recommend never transferring your points directly to JetBlue. Instead, use the Chase Travel Portal as you will be able to redeem at 1.5 cents per point AND earn frequent flyer miles well as be able to qualify for elite status. Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Travel, Citi, and Capital One travel portals will all redeem at a value lower than transferring directly to JetBlue, so look to move your points if you have one of these cards.
As mentioned earlier, American AAdvantage and TrueBlue are currently rolling out a partnership that will include the ability to redeem TrueBlue points for American Airlines flights. However, at this time, there is no word on when reciprocal award redemptions will be available.
Ways to Redeem TrueBlue Points
TrueBlue members have several different ways to redeem their miles on JetBlue or partner flights. These are some of the best ways to maximize your TrueBlue points:
• Inter-island flights aboard Hawaiian Airlines for 6,000 points each way
• Domestic economy flights
• Transcontinental Flights in JetBlue Mint
JetBlue Airways Military Benefits
JetBlue Airways offers military fares with a 5% discount on the base fare. Contact their reservation number (1-800-JETBLUE) for more information. Additionally, U.S. military veterans and their families can save up to 5% on domestic and international flights by enrolling in VetRewards and booking through Veterans Advantage.
Another perk is that U.S. military members and family members traveling on the same reservation MAY have access to “Even More” seats should there be availability. So be sure to politely ask at the same time you’re checking your bags.
Active-Duty Military and their dependents traveling on orders can check up to five bags for free up to 100lbs each by showing their military I.D. at check-in. Additionally, active-duty military traveling on personal or leisure travel may check two bags up to 50lbs each.
