Terrific news! Barclaycard just released details about their new JetBlue credit cards. Folks will be able to enjoy new perks like more points per $1 spent on JetBlue flights and unlimited rebates on points redeemed toward award flights!
Plus, there’s a small business version of the card that has even more benefits – including a free checked bag perk!
I’ll share the details!
What’s Going On?
Via View From the Wing, Barclaycard will now issue the JetBlue airline credit cards. Before, they were issued by AMEX.
The cards are NOT available for new sign-ups yet. And we still don’t know what the sign-up bonuses will be.However, if you previously had an AMEX JetBlue card, look for your new Barclaycard JetBlue starting March 21, 2016.
There are some key differences with the new cards.
Barclaycard JetBlue Personal Card
On the personal card, you’ll now get:
- 4 JetBlue points per $1 spent on JetBlue flights
- 2 JetBlue points per $1 spent at restaurants and grocery stores
- 1 JetBlue point per $1 spent on other purchases
- An unlimited 5% rebate on points redeemed for award flights
- 50% discount on JetBlue inflight purchases
- $50 annual statement credit when you book a trip through JetBlue Vacations
I like that the card will have no foreign transaction fees.
The $40 annual fee will stay the same.
If you had the AMEX JetBlue card, you’ll also get a 1-time $100 companion travel discount after spending $500 in purchases on the card by June 30, 2016.
So it’ll now be easier to earn points toward JetBlue flights with new and expanded bonus categories. And the 5% rebate can be useful if you redeem a lot of JetBlue points for award flights.
Overall, this is great news for those of y’all who like to fly JetBlue!
Barclaycard JetBlue Small Business Card
If you had an AMEX JetBlue small business card, you’ll also receive a new Barclaycard starting March 21, 2016.
And you’ll get:
- 6 JetBlue points per $1 spent on JetBlue flights
- 2 JetBlue points per $1 spent at restaurants and office supply stores
- 1 JetBlue points per $1 spend on other purchases
- An unlimited 10% rebate on points redeemed for award flights
- 1st checked bag free for yourself and up to 3 companions traveling on the same itinerary when you pay for your flights with the card
- 5,000 bonus JetBlue points each year you renew your card
- 50% discount on JetBlue inflight purchases
- $50 annual statement credit when you book a trip through JetBlue Vacations
The card will also have no foreign transaction fees. But the annual fee goes up to $99.
Folks who fly JetBlue often can save a lot of money! Because you’ll get a free checked bag for yourself and up to 3 others traveling with you. And the 10% points rebate is a terrific perk!
I’m also excited about the 2X bonus categories for each card. JetBlue points are worth ~1.4 cents each, so earning 2 JetBlue points per $1 is like getting 2.8 cents back toward JetBlue flights. That’s better than a 2% cash back credit card!
And because you’ll earn 2 JetBlue points for per $1 spent in popular categories like dining, grocery shopping, or office supplies, it’ll be easier to earn more points with everyday purchases.
What Else Is Changing?
The new cards will run on the MasterCard network. So they’ll will be accepted at more places than the previous AMEX cards. But of course you’ll no longer receive AMEX Offers.
We don’t know what the sign-up bonuses will be. But if you had an AMEX version of either card, and you get switched to Barclaycard, you will NOT be eligible to earn it.
Remember, folks who are getting switched to the new Barclaycard JetBlue personal card will have the chance to earn a $100 companion discount after spending $500 on their new card by June 30, 2016.
Need More JetBlue Points?
I’m excited to see these new cards because previously, the main ways to earn JetBlue points were:
- Flying on paid tickets
- Crediting Singapore Airlines flights to JetBlue
- Transfers from AMEX Membership Rewards
You’ll earn 1 JetBlue point per $1 spent on all purchases with the new Barclaycard JetBlue MasterCards (and more in the bonus categories!). This is a better rate than when you transfer AMEX Membership Rewards to JetBlue.
Aside from flying, these cards are 1 of the best ways to boost your JetBlue points balance.
Bottom Line
Starting March 21, 2016, folks who had AMEX JetBlue personal or small business cards will receive new Barclaycards to replace them.
It’s terrific news for folks who fly JetBlue. Because it will be easier to earn JetBlue points for award flights.
The personal card will earn 4 JetBlue points per $1 spent. And 2 JetBlue points at restaurants and grocery stores.The $40 annual fee will stay the same.
The small business card will earn 6 JetBlue points per $1 spent. And 2 JetBlue points at restaurants and office supply stores. The annual fee will be $99.
Both cards will also have unlimited rebates when you redeem JetBlue points for award flights…5% back with the personal card and 10% back with the small business card.
And when you pay using the small business card you’ll get a free checked bag for you and up to 3 others.
I’ll let you know when these new JetBlue cards are available!