Review: Barclays Jet Blue Card

The Barclays Jet Blue Card is the no annual fee version of the Barclays Jet Blue Plus Card. It serves as both a downgrade option and a cost-free alternative to the Plus Card. This is because it does not have the valuable perks of the Jet Blue Plus Card.

Nonetheless, Jet Blue is a favorite airline among domestic travelers and points and miles enthusiasts. This is especially true because the airline is a transfer partner with Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One. This means that you can transfer any of their points to your Jet Blue account.

Earning

The Jet Blue Card’s value lies in its earning structure. It is a nice way to earn TrueBlue bonus points. But you will not earn them as quickly as someone with the Jet Blue Plus Card. This no annual fee card earns 3x points per dollar on JetBlue flights. Furthermore, it also earns 2x points at Grocery Stores and Restaurants. And it also earns one point for all non-bonus spend.

The only difference between this card’s earning structure and that of the Jet Blue Plus Card is the multiplier for Jet Blue flights. The Plus Card’s 6x multiplier adds value to the Jet Blue Plus Card, especially for those who fly the airline often. However, the rest of the earning structure being the same makes the no annual fee card a great alternative.

The Jet Blue Card also offers a sign-up bonus worth 10,000 points. You can earn the bonus after spending just $1,000 in the first three months. This is a nice bonus with a low minimum spend akin to the American Express Hilton Honors card. However, the Jet Blue Plus Card comes with a bonus worth 40,000 points for the same minimum spend.

Burning

The question here is “what do you do with all of those TrueBlue bonus points?”. There are two options that could be of value.

Airfare

As with most airlines, redeeming for airfare is the most rewarding and valuable method. Plus, you will receive 10% of your points back towards the next redemption each time you book a reward ticket. Barclays used to give a similar bonus with their now-discontinued Arrival + card.

Jet Blue Vacations

Jet Blue Vacations are pre-packaged trips that are often offered on airline portals. You can’t redeem points for hotel rooms, rental cars, or other incidentals. However, you can get packages that include everything.

Benefits

The Jet Blue Card simply pales in comparison to its “bigger sibling”. It does not have the perks that the Jet Blue Plus Card has. However, that’s to be expected on a no annual fee card.

The Jet Blue Card comes with a 50% discount on in-flight purchases. That’s a nice perk for any incidentals, food, and entertainment that’s purchased while flying. Many airlines charge premiums for in-flight goods and services, so its nice to see Jet Blue pass the savings along.

It also comes with one free checked bag per year. Most airline cards that do not have an annual fee also do not have a perk like this one. Therefore, its nice that Barclays and Jet Blue are giving cardholders something.

Similar Cards

If the Barclays Jet Blue Card is not right for you, check out these non-Jet Blue alternatives:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase’s mid-tier credit card is a great alternative to the Jet Blue card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x UR points on Travel and Dining and only one on non-bonus spend. UR points can be transferred to Jet Blue. Furthermore, the Reserve has a sign-up bonus worth 60,000 points. It can be earned after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred also has excellent travel insurances that most Barclay cards do not have. But the biggest “benefit” with the Sapphire Preferred is its membership in the Chase “ecosystem”. Such membership does not limit it to Jet Blue redemptions. People who are not loyal to Jet Blue (or any other single airline or hotel) could transfer points to any one of Chase’s partners.

American Express Green Card

The American Express Green Card earns Membership Rewards (MR) points. You will earn 3x MR points on Travel and Dining and one point per dollar on non-bonus spend. Fortunately, American Express’ definition of “travel” has expanded for the Green Card. You can now earn 3x points on hotels, airfare, ride sharing, taxis, subways, tolls, and more.

Furthermore, the Green Card has a $150 annual fee (NOT waived the first year). It also has a sign-up bonus worth 30,000 MR points, which can be earned after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.

The Green Card also comes with a $100 credit for Lounge Buddy and a $100 credit for CLEAR every year. The former credit might be useful for those who do not have a premium card or membership to Priority Pass.

Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Green Card’s biggest advantage over the Jet Blue Card is its inclusion in the Amex “ecosystem”. Such membership does not limit it to Jet Blue redemptions. People who are not loyal to Jet Blue (or any other single airline or hotel) could transfer points to any one of American Express’ partners.

American Express Everyday Card

The American Express Everyday Card is a special one. That’s because it’s the only no annual fee personal credit card that you can use to transfer points to partners.

The Everyday Card has a unique earning structure. It earns just 2x MR points at Grocery Stores and one for non-bonus spend. However, you will receive a 20% points bonus if you use the card at least 20 times per month. Therefore, you can earn up to 2.4x points at Grocery Stores and 1.2x for non-bonus spend. This earning structure is not as good as that of the Jet Blue Card. But at least you can transfer points for no annual fee.

The American Express Everyday Card is also part of the Amex “ecosystem”, despite the fact that it has no annual fee. That means you can transfer MR points as you would with the Green Card (or any other Amex MR point-earning card).

Final Draw

While this card review seems like a comparison between both Jet Blue Cards, the Plus version is worth the $99 annual fee for most travelers. That is because it has a better sign-up bonus, more perks, and a higher Jet Blue purchases multiplier than the regular Jet Blue Card. Therefore, I do not recommend applying for the regular Jet Blue Card right away

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