In early 2021, American and JetBlue launched a strategic alliance in the Northeast. The idea behind this partnership is that American wants to grow its presence in New York, but needs connecting traffic, and that JetBlue has amazing connections in the Northeast. The partnership is good for consumers, though the DOJ disagrees, and is trying to challenge it.
In December of 2021, both American and JetBlue introduced elite benefits. Extra legroom economy seats, confirmed same day flight changes, and more are some of the perks that have improved. Let's go over the details.
American & JetBlue reciprocal elite benefits
It wasn't until late 2021 that the elite benefits were rolled out. Those have been improved even more.
American & JetBlue have a strategic alliance
When flying with the other airline, American AAdvantage elite members, as well as JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic elite members, receive expanded elite perks. This also includes:
Priority check-in
Up to two free checked bags, weighing up to 50 pounds each (AAdvantage Gold members get one free checked bag on JetBlue, while all other elite tiers with both airlines receive two free checked bags)
Extra legroom economy seating during check-in, with Mosaic passengers getting Main Cabin Extra on American, and AAdvantage elite members getting Even More Space on JetBlue
Priority baggage handling
Priority security
Priority boarding (with Mosaic members on JetBlue, and with Group 4 on American)
Free same day flight changes (for Mosaic members when flying American, and for Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members when flying JetBlue)
Admirals Club members can access Admirals Clubs when flying JetBlue (previously you had to be flying a oneworld airline)
Get reciprocal priority boarding with American & JetBlue
It's great to see that the benefits have been enhanced further, with American Platinum Pro members getting the same day confirmed changes on JetBlue.
The following perks are potentially missing at this point.
JetBlue Mosaic members and American Executive Platinum members receive a free alcoholic drink in economy, so perhaps that could be reciprocal on the other airline as well
While I suppose anything is possible, I highly doubt we’ll see reciprocal first class or Mint upgrades; JetBlue doesn’t offer Mosaic members Mint upgrades as an elite perk (well, except as a temporary perk for those who overqualify), and I can’t imagine American would offer first class upgrades without reciprocity
The one potential upgrade perk I could see would be some systemwide upgrades for Mosaic members; I think this would be offered in a limited capacity, and would be intended to encourage JetBlue Mosaic members to fly American long haul, though there’s not much that JetBlue could offer reciprocally
Get reciprocal extra legroom economy seats with American & JetBlue
American & JetBlue reciprocal award redemptions
In late 2021, American and JetBlue introduced award redemptions. The execution of this is difficult.
JetBlue TrueBlue is a revenue based award program, where the cost of a ticket when redeeming points directly reflects the cash cost
American AAdvantage publishes an award chart but then has different award levels, so award pricing doesn’t directly reflect the cost of a ticket when paying cash
What is the pricing like? If you want to redeem American AAdvantage miles on JetBlue, award pricing is similar to American's typical partner award chart.
In other words.
A JetBlue economy ticket prices at 12,500 AAdvantage miles one-way within the United States, which is awesome
A JetBlue Mint ticket prices based on the “First” column, rather than the “Business / First” column, meaning that a Mint ticket costs a minimum of 50,000 AAdvantage miles one-way
Not only that, but you have to pay an additional 15,000 AAdvantage miles one-way for many Mint routes, including segments from Boston, New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach, to Los Angeles and San Francisco
JetBlue’s transatlantic flights are excluded from this alliance, so it’s not possible to redeem AAdvantage miles for them (however, this is a great use of Emirates Skywards miles)
As far as award availability goes, economy awards on JetBlue book into the “P” fare class, while business class awards book into the “I” fare class
65,000 AAdvantage miles for a one-way Mint ticket is not a great deal. I think there is more value in the economy than in Mint.
JetBlue Mint redemptions are expensive
I wouldn't expect that to be a great deal anyway, as it's not possible to redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points for travel on American.
The two airlines have expanded their elite perks. When it comes to check-in, checked bags, security, boarding, extra legroom economy seats, same day confirmed changes, and lounge access, we are seeing reciprocity. It's great to see that this partnership continues to evolve, as it creates near metal neutrality between the two airlines.
What do you think about the new perks between American and JetBlue?
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