Barclaycard JetBlue MasterCards Review
Updated February 9, 2023.
The Facts
This review is for four Barclays JetBlue credit cards: JetBlue World MasterCard, JetBlue Plus World Elite MasterCard, JetBlue Rewards World Elite MasterCard, and JetBlue Business Card.
JetBlue World MasterCard
JetBlue Plus World Elite MasterCard
JetBlue Rewards World Elite MasterCard (for previous Amex members only)
JetBlue Business MasterCard
The Math
JetBlue vs. JetBlue Plus: The difference in annual fees is $99. 5,000 annual bonus points (worth ~$72) on the JetBlue Plus essentially cut the difference down to about $30. With that, you may enjoy 3 extra points earning on JetBlue purchases, increased points value to 1.44 cents per point through 10% redemption bonus, first bags free, and a possible Mosaic status after $50K annual spending. It is obvious that for most JetBlue flyers, it is better to have JetBlue Plus.
JetBlue Plus (JBP) vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred (EDP): Since JetBlue is still a Membership Rewards (MR) partner, it is interesting to compare JBP to the best earning MR card. Currently MR points can be transferred to TrueBlue (TB) points at 5:4 ratio. Factoring in the annual bonus, the effective annual fee on JBP is about $30, compared to EDP’s $95. They both offer category bonus: 6x JetBlue and 2x groceries & dining from JBP, and up to 4.5x (=3.6x TB points) groceries and 3x gas (=2.4x TB points) from EDP. When it comes to general spending, EDP returns up to 1.5x, equivalent to 1.2x TB points, while JBP returns only 1x TB points. So if you plan to use TB points, you need to do your math to figure out which card works better for you. However, EDP’s appeal lies in the fact that MR has better transfer options, as in our opinion transferring MR points to TB points is probably not the best use.
The Conclusion
Switching from Amex to Barclays, JetBlue credit cards definitely became more attractive. For most JetBlue flyers, getting the more expensive JetBlue Plus probably makes more sense due to the annual bonus points, increased points value, free first bags and a possible Mosaic status. If you frequent JetBlue but can’t make to Mosaic by flying, spending $50K a year on JetBlue Plus is a good deal. JetBlue Plus is currently ranked as one of our Top 10 Best Credit Cards.
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The Facts
This review is for four Barclays JetBlue credit cards: JetBlue World MasterCard, JetBlue Plus World Elite MasterCard, JetBlue Rewards World Elite MasterCard, and JetBlue Business Card.
JetBlue World MasterCard
- Annual Fee: none
- Signup Bonus: 15,000 points after spending $1,000 within 3 months.
- Rewards: 3x JetBlue, 2x groceries & dining, 1x everywhere else
- Best Use of TrueBlue points: TrueBlue is the frequent flyer program of JetBlue. It is generally best to redeem TrueBlue points on JetBlue flights, and unlike most legacy airlines programs the value of TrueBlue points is revenue based, at around 1.3 cents per point. Note the value has decreased to about 1 cent when redeemed for their Mint class (business class) since early 2019.
- Travel Benefits: (1) 50% discount on inflight purchases. (2) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip. JetBlue MC is one of the very few non-fee cards that offer this benefit.
JetBlue Plus World Elite MasterCard
- Annual Fee: $99
- Signup Bonus: 40,000 points after spending $1,000 within 3 months of new account opening. Historical best bonus: 100,000 points in late 2020; 80,000 points in 2022; 60,000 points in 2017 & 2020; 50,000 points in 2019.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 6x JetBlue, 2x dining & groceries, 1x everywhere else; 5,000 bonus points upon each anniversary when you renew and pay the annual fee.
- Travel Benefits: (1) 10% redemption bonus points back to your account each time you redeem, which essentially increases the points value by 11% to 1.44 cents per point. (2) First bags free for you plus three companions when you use your JetBlue Plus card. (3) 50% discount on inflight purchases. (4) Annual $100 statement credit after you purchase a JetBlue Getaways Vacation Package of $100 or more. (5) Mosaic status, the only elite status level in TrueBlue, after spending $50,000 each calendar year. Mosaic, normally earned by flying 30 segments and earning 12,000 flight points in a calendar year or by earning 15,000 flight points in a calendar year, offers waived change/cancellation fees, expedited security lanes, second bag free, priority boarding, 3 extra points earned on JetBlue flights, and complimentary alcoholic drinks. (6) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip.
- World Elite MasterCard Benefits: MasterCard Luxury Hotels & Resorts (a collection of 2,000+ luxury hotels worldwide that offer complimentary breakfasts for two, room upgrades upon availability, early check-in, late check-out, and a special amenity such as a certain amount of hotel credit up to $100 per stay, free internet, or welcome gift, etc.), MasterCard Travel & Lifestyle Services (offers for hotels, airfare, private jets, airport concierge, car rentals, chauffeured cars, cruise lines, tours, vacation packages, golf, sports and entertainment event tickets, etc.), complimentary ShopRunner membership (free two-day shipping and returns at participating stores), complimentary DoorDash benefits (3 months of complimentary DashPass membership & $5 off first two orders per month through 9/30/2022), monthly $5 Lyft credit after 3 rides each month, 5% discount for every HelloFresh order, $5 rewards for every $20+ Fandango purchase, the Dining Program (special amenities at participating restaurants), the Nightlife Program (exclusive access to and recognition at participating night clubs), Priceless Cities, Priceless Surprises, Priceless Causes, Priceless Golf, 24/7 World Elite concierge service, MasterCard Cellular Wireless Telephone Protection (up to $800 for a stolen or damaged phone as long as you charge your monthly cellphone bills to the card), MasterCard ID Theft Protection, etc.
JetBlue Rewards World Elite MasterCard (for previous Amex members only)
- History: Before January 2016, Amex was the issuer of JetBlue credit cards. After Barclays took over, existing Amex members received a replacement MasterCard from Barclays, which carries the same annual fee as before and offers a little better rewards and benefits.
- Annual Fee: $40
- Rewards: 4x JetBlue, 2x dining & groceries, 1x everywhere else
- Travel Benefits: (1) A one-time $100 companion travel discount after you spend $500 by June 30, 2016. (2) 5% redemption bonus points back to your account each time you redeem, which essentially increases the points value by 5%. (3) 50% discount on inflight purchases. (4) Annual $50 statement credit after you purchase a JetBlue Getaways Vacation Package. (5) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip. (6) Standard World Elite MasterCard benefits (see above).
- Other Facts: If you don’t like JetBlue Rewards Card, you may still either upgrade to JetBlue Plus Card or downgrade to JetBlue Card.
JetBlue Business MasterCard
- It is almost identical to JetBlue Plus Card except that groceries is replaced by office supplies in the 2x bonus categories.
- Signup Bonus: 70,000 points (60,000 points after spending $2,000 within 3 months of new account opening, and additional 10,000 points after the first purchase made on an employee card). Historical best bonus: 100,000 points in late 2020; 80,000 points + $99 in 2023; 70,000 points in 2022; 60,000 points in 2019 & 2020 & 2021.
- Application Landing Page
The Math
JetBlue vs. JetBlue Plus: The difference in annual fees is $99. 5,000 annual bonus points (worth ~$72) on the JetBlue Plus essentially cut the difference down to about $30. With that, you may enjoy 3 extra points earning on JetBlue purchases, increased points value to 1.44 cents per point through 10% redemption bonus, first bags free, and a possible Mosaic status after $50K annual spending. It is obvious that for most JetBlue flyers, it is better to have JetBlue Plus.
JetBlue Plus (JBP) vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred (EDP): Since JetBlue is still a Membership Rewards (MR) partner, it is interesting to compare JBP to the best earning MR card. Currently MR points can be transferred to TrueBlue (TB) points at 5:4 ratio. Factoring in the annual bonus, the effective annual fee on JBP is about $30, compared to EDP’s $95. They both offer category bonus: 6x JetBlue and 2x groceries & dining from JBP, and up to 4.5x (=3.6x TB points) groceries and 3x gas (=2.4x TB points) from EDP. When it comes to general spending, EDP returns up to 1.5x, equivalent to 1.2x TB points, while JBP returns only 1x TB points. So if you plan to use TB points, you need to do your math to figure out which card works better for you. However, EDP’s appeal lies in the fact that MR has better transfer options, as in our opinion transferring MR points to TB points is probably not the best use.
The Conclusion
Switching from Amex to Barclays, JetBlue credit cards definitely became more attractive. For most JetBlue flyers, getting the more expensive JetBlue Plus probably makes more sense due to the annual bonus points, increased points value, free first bags and a possible Mosaic status. If you frequent JetBlue but can’t make to Mosaic by flying, spending $50K a year on JetBlue Plus is a good deal. JetBlue Plus is currently ranked as one of our Top 10 Best Credit Cards.
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