Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
JetBlue Plus vs. JetBlue Premier – Which JetBlue Card Is Best for You?
December 12, 2024
JetBlue’s Mid-Tier vs Premium Card: Key Differences at a Glance
JetBlue now offers two personal credit cards for its frequent flyers: the JetBlue Plus Card (a solid mid-tier option) and the JetBlue Premier Card (a new premium option). The annual fees are at opposite ends – $99 for the Plus vs $499 for the Premier – and you’d expect very different benefits as a result.
Surprisingly, many of the cards’ benefits are identical despite that fee gap. Both earn bonus points on JetBlue flights, give free checked bags, and more. But there are some notable differences that could make one card better for you than the other.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1121", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "80,000 Bonus Points"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "13547", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "70,000 Bonus Points"} ]]
Let’s start with a quick rundown of how the JetBlue Plus vs. Premier stack up:
Annual Fees
Plus = $99 vs Premier = $499 (+$150 per authorized user on Premier!). The Premier Card is five times more expensive, targeting hardcore JetBlue loyalists.
Welcome Bonuses
Plus Card typically offers a hefty points bonus (currently 70,000 points after $1,000 spend) for a modest spend. Premier’s offer is similar 70,000 points (sometimes the same amount) + 5 Mosaic elite status tiles, but requires a much bigger spend ($5,000) and of course paying the higher fee. In essence, you can net the same points with the Plus Card for far less upfront cost.
Earning Rates
Both cards earn 6X points on JetBlue purchases and 2X at restaurants and grocery stores. The Premier Card also gives 6X on Paisly (JetBlue’s travel portal) purchases. All other spend earns 1X on both. There’s no difference in everyday earn rates – a key point if you want to accumulate JetBlue points through spending.
Annual Travel Credits
The Plus Card includes a $100 statement credit each year for JetBlue Vacations packages. The Premier Card ups this with $300 in annual statement credits for Paisly travel bookings. However, the Premier’s $300 credit is trickier to use: you get it in $50 chunks per $250+ Paisly purchase (max 6 times), meaning you’ll need to make multiple bookings to fully claim it. The Plus Card’s $100 credit is a simple one-and-done on a vacation package purchase.
Common JetBlue Perks
Both cards give you your first checked bag free on JetBlue flights for you and up to 3 companions, which saves ~$35 per bag per flight. Both also offer 50% in-flight savings (on buy-on-board food and drinks) and 10% points-back after you redeem points for JetBlue flights. Each card awards 5,000 bonus TrueBlue points every anniversary as a loyalty bonus – worth around $68 (~two-thirds of the Plus Card’s annual fee) according to TPG valuations. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees, making them travel-friendly abroad.
Premium Perks (Premier-only)
The Premier Card layers on a few extras that the Plus Card doesn’t have: Priority Pass™ Select lounge membership (airport lounge access worldwide) and complimentary access to JetBlue’s own lounges (once they open), Group A boarding on JetBlue flights (early boarding for cardholder +4 companions), and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $120 every 4 years). These perks cater to frequent travelers who value a premium experience. By contrast, the Plus Card has none of these – no lounge access, no priority boarding, no security fee credits.
As we can see, if you lined these two cards up, the majority of everyday benefits overlap. The Premier Card’s justification lies in those premium extras (lounges, early boarding, bigger travel credit). The big question is whether those extras are worth paying $400 more every year. Next, we’ll break down the comparison in detail: fees and bonuses, reward earnings, and travel perks.
Comparing Costs and Bonuses
Annual Fees (and the “True Cost” of Each Card)
The JetBlue Plus Card costs $99 per year, and $0 for additional authorized users. In exchange, you get perks like the free checked bag, anniversary points, etc., that easily offset the fee if you fly JetBlue a couple times a year. In fact, just using the free first bag benefit on two round-trips can save about $140 (bags would be ~$35 each way × 2) – already justifying the $99 fee.
The JetBlue Premier Card, on the other hand, carries a hefty $499 annual fee plus a $150 fee per authorized user. That means adding your spouse or family member to share benefits could push the effective cost to $649 yearly – a massive commitment. The Premier Card is currently one of the most expensive airline cards on the market. For that price, it needs to deliver significant value in credits and perks to be worth it.
Welcome Offers
Both cards have attractive sign-up bonuses, but the Plus Card’s bonus is easier to attain. As of this writing, the Plus Card’s offer is around 60k–70k TrueBlue points for $1,000 spend (plus paying the $99 fee) in the first 90 days. The Premier Card’s offer is 70k TrueBlue points + 5 Mosaic tiles for $5,000 spend (plus the $499 fee) in 90 days. Assuming ~1.4 cents per point in value, 70,000 points is roughly $980 toward JetBlue flights – a great boost either way.
The 5 Mosaic “Tiles” (JetBlue’s elite status currency) that Premier gives are a nice-to-have for status chasers, but note: JetBlue requires 50 Tiles for just the base Mosaic level. Those 5 tiles only get you 10% of the way, and you’d earn those 5 tiles from $5k spending anyway (both cards earn 1 tile per $1k spent as part of JetBlue’s program). In other words, the Plus Card’s bonus nets the same 70k points for one-fifth the spending requirement, making it far more accessible for the average person. Unless you plan to spend $5,000 rapidly and are gunning for status, the Plus Card’s intro offer is the clear winner in practical terms.
If you’re primarily after JetBlue points, both sign-up bonuses are generous. Just beware: Barclays (the card issuer) typically doesn’t allow you to get a bonus on the Premier if you already have or have had the Plus. In fact, if you have the Plus Card and want the Premier, you’d likely have to upgrade (forgoing a new bonus).
Rewards Earning Rates and Point Value
Once you have the card, how will it reward your spending? Here, there’s virtually no difference between Plus and Premier. Both cards accrue TrueBlue points at the following rates:
- JetBlue purchases: 6X points per dollar on airfare, vacation packages, and other JetBlue or JetBlue Vacations spending. (Premier also counts Paisly bookings as JetBlue purchases for 6X)
- Restaurants and Groceries: 2X points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores (great for everyday spending categories).
- Everything else: 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
These are decent earning rates, especially the 6X on JetBlue flights – that’s a 6% return in points before factoring any elite bonuses. Notably, the $499 Premier Card does not earn points any faster than the $99 Plus Card on your daily spending. This is a key point: if your goal is racking up TrueBlue points, the Premier Card won’t accelerate your earnings any more than the Plus.
The value of TrueBlue points is roughly 1.3 to 1.5 cents per point in most cases, since JetBlue uses a revenue-based redemption model (point prices mirror cash prices). For example, NerdWallet estimates ~1.5¢ each. That means 6X points = ~9% return toward JetBlue travel on those purchases – quite solid. With either card, if you spend a lot on JetBlue flights, the points will add up quickly.
Anniversary Bonus
Both cards help boost your points balance with a yearly loyalty gift: 5,000 bonus TrueBlue points every cardmember anniversary (after you pay the annual fee each year). At JetBlue’s point value, that’s worth ~$70. This effectively reduces the “net” cost of the Plus Card to about $30 (since $70 of travel offsets the $99 fee). For the Premier, $70 back in points is nice but barely dents that $499 fee – keep this in mind when evaluating the value proposition.
Verdict on Rewards
It’s a tie. You won’t miss out on any earning power with the cheaper Plus Card. Both cards let you pile up JetBlue points at the same rate on flights and everyday categories. The Premier Card’s higher fee isn’t buying you extra points – its value has to come from elsewhere (perks and credits).
Travel Perks and Extra Benefits
.webp)
Here’s where the JetBlue Premier Card tries to distance itself by offering a more “first-class” experience. Let’s break down the perks beyond points, and see if they justify the premium price tag:
Free Checked Bags
Both cards grant the primary cardholder and up to three travel companions one free checked bag each on JetBlue-operated flights. This is a core benefit that saves money; if you often travel with family or friends, it’s a big equalizer in favor of the Plus Card since it provides the same baggage perk for a fraction of the annual fee.
Boarding and Seat Perks
The JetBlue Premier Card is the only JetBlue card that offers early boarding. As a Premier cardholder, you (and up to four companions on your reservation) get to board in Group A – which is the third group, right after Mosaic elite members and Mint/business class. You’ll have earlier access to overhead bin space and a more relaxed boarding. The Plus Card provides no special boarding group, so you’ll board with your ticketed group (which could be later, especially if you buy Blue Basic fares). Neither card comes with automatic seat upgrades or extra-legroom seats; JetBlue doesn’t have a tiered upgrade system like legacy airlines, so this boarding perk is as VIP as it gets with their cards.
Airport Lounge Access
This is a marquee benefit of the Premier Card – on paper, at least. The JetBlue Premier Card includes a Priority Pass™ Select membership, giving the cardholder (and typically 2 guests) access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide outside of JetBlue’s network. It also promises complimentary access to JetBlue’s own lounges for the cardholder + 1 guest. However, here’s the catch: JetBlue doesn’t actually have lounges yet! The airline plans to open its first lounges (in New York JFK and Boston) in late 2025. Until then, that part of the perk is purely speculative.
You are getting Priority Pass in the meantime, which is valuable if you travel through airports with those lounges. Priority Pass membership is something often included on premium $400+ travel cards, so it does contribute to the Premier Card’s value. The Plus Card has no lounge access benefits at all. If relaxing in lounges with free snacks and Wi-Fi during layovers appeals to you, only the Premier Card offers that opportunity (again, via non-JetBlue lounges for now). Just remember you’re paying a high fee for it – if you already carry another premium card (like Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc.) you might duplicate lounge benefits.
Travel Credits
We touched on these earlier – the Plus Card’s $100 JetBlue Vacations credit vs Premier’s $300 Paisly credit. Both are annual credits. The $100 from Plus is straightforward: use your Plus Card to purchase a JetBlue Vacations package (flight + hotel) of $100 or more, and you’ll get $100 back statement credit once per year. The Premier’s $300 is more complex: use the Premier Card on Paisly (JetBlue’s travel booking site for hotels, cars, etc.) and you get $50 back each time, for up to 6 transactions a year.
In practice, that means you must make six separate Paisly bookings of $250+ each (totaling at least $1,500 in spend) to fully utilize the $300 credit. That could be inconvenient or not align with your travel plans (e.g., if you prefer booking travel elsewhere). If you don’t max it out, you’re leaving value on the table. Example: If you only manage to use $150 of the $300 credit in a year, your effective cost for the Premier is still $349 (instead of $499). Consider realistically how much you’d use Paisly – this perk has a use-it-or-lose-it element.
In-Flight Savings
Both cards give 50% back on in-flight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights. This includes cocktails, meals, and headphones purchased onboard. It’s a nice perk for flying JetBlue – who doesn’t like half-off snacks at 35,000 feet? The savings will appear as a statement credit on your card. No difference here between Plus and Premier.
Elite Status Boost
JetBlue’s elite program Mosaic can be earned via “Tiles” (1 Tile per $1,000 spend on the card, on top of flight Tiles). Here again, both cards are identical in how they can help you earn status – in fact, both require the same $50k spend in a year to get Mosaic 1 status via spending. The Premier Card’s welcome bonus giving 5 Tiles is a small head start, but as noted, it’s not unique in the long run (the Plus could earn those Tiles with spend too). Neither card automatically gives Mosaic status; you have to spend your way or fly your way there.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit
Only the Premier Card reimburses up to $100 every 4 years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (actually $120 every 4 years, which covers Global Entry). This is a standard perk on many premium travel cards. If you haven’t got PreCheck or Global Entry yet, having the Premier could save you that ~$100 once every five years (Global Entry lasts 5 years). The Plus Card offers no such credit.
Purchase Protections and Extras
Both cards being World Elite Mastercards come with some additional benefits by Mastercard – like travel insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, car rental insurance, extended warranty, cell phone protection, etc. These are mostly identical between Plus and Premier (aside from maybe higher coverage limits on the Premier due to it being a higher tier card). Neither card is known for top-tier travel protections (they’re decent, courtesy of Mastercard, but not a primary reason to choose one over the other).
Authorized Users
It’s worth mentioning again because it’s unusual: the Premier Card charges $150 per authorized user, whereas you can add authorized users to the Plus Card for free. If you have a household of JetBlue flyers who each want a card for the JetBlue perks, the costs add up dramatically on Premier. By contrast, you could add your spouse to the Plus Card for no fee and they’d also get a free checked bag when traveling without you (because the benefit extends as long as the ticket was purchased with the card).
Put Your Cards to Work with Kudos
Kudos is your free smart wallet for credit cards – the friendly sidekick that helps you maximize whichever card(s) you choose. Add Kudos to your browser, and it will automatically recommend the best card for each purchase (to squeeze the most points or cashback) and keep track of perks like your JetBlue credits.
Whether you go with the JetBlue Plus or Premier (or both), Kudos can ensure you never miss out on earning rewards or using those travel benefits. It’s like having a savvy neighbor (who knows credit cards) ride along in your wallet. Add to Chrome – it’s free!
FAQ: JetBlue Plus vs. JetBlue Premier
What’s the biggest difference between the JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Premier Card?
The main differences are the annual fee and premium perks. The Plus Card costs $99/year, while the Premier is $499/year (with an extra $150 per authorized user). In return, the Premier Card offers premium benefits the Plus lacks: airport lounge access (Priority Pass membership), early boarding (Group A), a $300 annual Paisly travel credit (versus $100 JetBlue Vacations credit on Plus), and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit. Other core features – like earning rates, free checked bag, 5k anniversary points, and in-flight discounts – are the same on both cards.
Is the JetBlue Premier Card worth its $499 annual fee?
For most people, probably not yet. JetBlue designed the Premier Card for its most loyal flyers. If you highly value lounge access and will fully use the $300 Paisly credit every year, it can offset a lot of the fee. However, JetBlue’s own lounges won’t open until late 2025, and using the $300 credit requires multiple bookings to get the full value. The card’s airline perks (free bag, etc.) are available on the $99 Plus Card, which covers a lot of JetBlue travelers’ needs. Unless you’re a JetBlue super-fan flying out of JetBlue hubs frequently (and maybe already paying for Mint or Even More Space seats), the Premier Card’s steep fee is hard to justify. The Plus Card gives ~80% of the benefits for one-fifth the cost – making it the better value for the majority of users.
Can I upgrade from the JetBlue Plus Card to the JetBlue Premier Card?
Yes. If you already have the Plus Card and decide you want the Premier Card, you can request an upgrade through Barclays (the issuer). Keep in mind, though, upgrading means you won’t get the new-card sign-up bonus on the Premier. Also note that Barclays won’t approve you for a Premier Card if you currently have (or recently had) the Plus Card as a separate account. They treat them as part of the same product family. So, if you’re eyeing that big welcome bonus, you’d have to cancel your Plus and wait (or forego it via an upgrade). Always consider the trade-offs before upgrading – you might be better off keeping the Plus (it’s a great card already) unless you truly need the Premier perks.
Do both cards earn Mosaic elite status for JetBlue?
Neither card grants automatic Mosaic status, but both can help you earn it by spending. JetBlue’s program lets you earn 1 Mosaic “Tile” for every $1,000 spent on any JetBlue credit card. The requirement for Mosaic status (Level 1) is 50 Tiles in a calendar year. That means spending $50k on either the Plus or Premier would yield Mosaic (you can mix with flight Tiles too). The Premier Card’s welcome bonus gives 5 Tiles as a head start, but in the long run both cards require the same spend for status. So, if status is your goal and you’re a big spender, either card can get you there – the Premier doesn’t have an exclusive fast-track beyond those initial 5 Tiles.
Which JetBlue card is better for a casual JetBlue flyer?
The JetBlue Plus Card is likely the better choice for most casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers. Its $99 annual fee is much easier to swallow, and you still get valuable perks like one free checked bag each trip (saving ~$70 round-trip for baggage), 5k anniversary points, and no foreign fees. It basically pays for itself if you take a couple of JetBlue flights a year with a checked suitcase. The Premier Card is aimed at road warriors and luxury-seekers – unless you really want lounge access and will fly JetBlue enough to use the perks, you might end up paying $499 for benefits you won’t fully use.
Conclusion – Which Card Comes Out on Top?
.webp)
For most people, the JetBlue Plus Card delivers the best bang for your buck. It packs in the key JetBlue perks – free bags, bonus points, in-flight savings – for a reasonable fee. The JetBlue Premier Card certainly has its appeal: lounge access, priority boarding, and a big travel credit can elevate your travel experience if you’re a die-hard JetBlue loyalist who will use those benefits. But if you’re not fully utilizing what the Premier offers, its high cost can quickly outweigh the perks (why pay $499 if a $99 card covers almost everything you need?).
Think about your travel habits: Do you fly through airports with Priority Pass lounges often? Will you take advantage of JetBlue’s future lounges and max out that Paisly credit every year? If yes, and JetBlue is your airline of choice, the Premier Card could be worth it despite the price – especially if you value a bit of VIP treatment on your journeys. On the other hand, if you’re an occasional JetBlue flyer or just budget-conscious, the Plus Card is a fantastic value. It’s essentially JetBlue’s “sweet spot” card where the perks far outweigh the modest fee (and you can always invest the money saved – roughly $400 – into your next vacation!).
JetBlue Plus vs. JetBlue Premier isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but for the majority of consumers, the Plus Card wins. It gives you the TrueBlue rewards and core benefits without the sticker shock. The Premier Card is for the minority who crave every perk JetBlue can offer and don’t mind paying top dollar for it. Whichever you choose, you’ll be earning JetBlue points and enjoying extra comfort on your travels – and that’s a win-win in our (True)Blue book.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
