A new partnership, the Blue Sky alliance between JetBlue and United, has recently launched, offering members new ways to earn and redeem points and miles. This alliance aims to expand options for travelers, though the value of these new redemption opportunities varies significantly.
Key Takeaways
- JetBlue TrueBlue points can now be used for United-operated flights.
- United MileagePlus members can redeem miles for JetBlue-operated flights.
- Award pricing for United flights booked through JetBlue generally remains consistent, but close-in bookings can be more expensive.
- Finding business class award space for United flights via JetBlue TrueBlue is challenging.
- Award rates for JetBlue flights through United MileagePlus often appear higher than other partner options.
Booking United Flights with JetBlue TrueBlue Points
Travelers can now use their JetBlue TrueBlue points to book flights operated by United Airlines. This new option allows for greater flexibility in travel planning. Our analysis shows that award pricing for these United flights booked through JetBlue generally stays the same, regardless of the travel date. However, there are exceptions.
Fact Check
Nonstop United flights between Newark and Johannesburg cost 27,800 more points when booked within three days of departure through JetBlue TrueBlue.
We also found that nonstop United flights from Newark to Dubai saw an increase of 26,600 points for bookings made shortly before departure. This suggests that last-minute travel through this new partnership may come at a premium.
Challenges with Award Space and Routes
Finding available award space for United flights through JetBlue TrueBlue can be difficult on certain routes. This issue is even more pronounced for business class seats, where availability is often almost impossible to secure. Travelers seeking premium cabins might find limited options.
When booking one-stop itineraries, each segment is priced individually. For example, a United-operated flight from Los Angeles to Seoul with a stop in San Francisco would cost the sum of points for both individual segments. A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Seoul costs 55,000 JetBlue points plus $260.60. Adding a segment from Los Angeles to San Francisco, priced at 11,900 points plus $5.60, brings the total for the one-stop journey to 66,900 JetBlue points plus $260.60. This segment-by-segment pricing means longer, multi-leg journeys can quickly accumulate high point totals.
Points Calculation
The total points for a multi-segment itinerary are the sum of points required for each individual nonstop segment. This can make longer trips more expensive in terms of points.
It is important to note that the points cost for United-operated flights booked through JetBlue does not follow a strict distance-based model, even for nonstop flights that are not booked close to departure. For instance, a 1,023-mile route from Newark to Palm Beach, Florida, requires 39,900 JetBlue points plus $5.60. In contrast, a significantly longer 3,370-mile route from Newark to Anchorage only requires 39,000 JetBlue points plus $5.60. This difference highlights the non-linear pricing structure.
- Minimum JetBlue points for United flights within the continental U.S.: 11,900 points (e.g., Houston to Austin, 140 miles).
- Minimum JetBlue points for United flights outside the continental U.S.: 15,900 points (e.g., Guam to Saipan, 129 miles).
Redeeming United MileagePlus Miles for JetBlue Flights
Using United MileagePlus miles to book JetBlue-operated flights has presented more challenges in our observations. On several routes where JetBlue operates nonstop flights, we could not find any available through United MileagePlus. When JetBlue flights were available, the award pricing was often considerably higher than options offered by United or other partner airlines.
"The new Blue Sky alliance is great for JetBlue and United members, giving them more ways to earn and redeem their points and miles. However, none of the award rates we found are compelling enough for me to want to transfer rewards to JetBlue TrueBlue or United MileagePlus."
Comparing Partner Options
In some cases, other JetBlue partner awards were more affordable than booking JetBlue-operated flights directly through United. For example, a JetBlue flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Medellin, Colombia, would cost 20,000 United miles plus $20.60. An Avianca-operated flight on the same route, however, was available for 17,500 miles plus $20.60. This demonstrates that travelers should compare all available options to find the best value.
JetBlue Mint and Economy Redemptions
We found no transatlantic JetBlue Mint itineraries bookable through United MileagePlus during our searches. While this does not mean they are entirely absent, their availability appears to be very limited. However, domestic Mint redemptions do exist. A JetBlue Mint itinerary from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles was found for 80,000 United miles plus $5.60. An economy seat on the same JetBlue-operated flight cost 35,000 United miles plus $5.60. For comparison, a connecting United-operated itinerary on this route could be booked for just 13,300 miles plus $5.60, highlighting a significant difference in value.
Mileage Tiers
Award rates for nonstop JetBlue-operated flights booked through United MileagePlus appear to be based on distance thresholds for economy seats:
- Short flights (155-187 miles): 15,000 United miles
- Medium flights (1,035-1,056 miles): 20,000 United miles
- Longer flights (1,951 miles): 30,000 United miles
- Extended flights (2,343 miles): 35,000 United miles
- Transcontinental flights (2,704-3,451 miles): 45,000 United miles
Overall Value of the Blue Sky Alliance
The new Blue Sky alliance expands options for members of both JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus. Travelers now have more ways to earn and redeem points and miles across the two airlines. This partnership provides additional flexibility, especially for those who frequently fly with both carriers.
However, based on our analysis, the award rates for many of these new redemption options may not offer the most compelling value. While having more choices is always beneficial, travelers should carefully compare the points or miles required with other available redemption options. Sometimes, booking directly with the operating carrier or exploring other airline partners might yield better value for their accumulated rewards.
It is crucial for members to evaluate their specific travel needs and the cost in points or miles versus cash prices before committing to a redemption through the Blue Sky alliance. Maximizing points and miles requires strategic planning and a thorough understanding of all available choices.
