Back in May, United and JetBlue announced a new partnership that they’re calling “Blue Sky.” The benefits that customers of both airlines were promised included perks like: reciprocal mileage redemption and earning, reciprocal elite benefits, and cross-channel booking (Book JetBlue flights via United and vice-versa). Additionally, starting in 2027, United will have access to up to seven daily JetBlue slots at New York (JFK), while JetBlue will have access to up to eight daily United slots at Newark (EWR).
We’re still waiting on the elite benefits to begin, but as of today, you can earn and redeem JetBlue Points when flying United and earn and redeem United Miles when flying JetBlue. The prices, however, leave something to be desired.
The News
- As of today, you can earn and redeem JetBlue Points when flying United and earn and redeem United Miles when flying JetBlue.
JetBlue TrueBlue members’ earning rates when flying United
United Mileage Plus members’ earning rates when flying JetBlue
Redemption rates
Reciprocal redemption just went live today, but thus far, I’m not seeing much that’s of use in either program.
Looking at JetBlue flights on United, I’m seeing hardly any Mint availability (JetBlue’s business class), and the pricing for both business and economy awards is quite high, even for United. Here are a few examples:
- Mint from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) – 80,000 miles each way
- Economy from JFK to LAX – 35,000 miles each way
- Economy from JFK to Aruba – 30,000 miles each way
- Economy from JFK to BOS – 15,000 miles each way (the same flight was available for just 4K using JetBlue points)
On the flip side, JetBlue’s pricing for United awards seems just as bad, and availability isn’t great. United has been notorious over the last few years for releasing barely any award seats to partners. We were told that JetBlue would have access to seats on all routes, but that doesn’t seem to be the case so far…and business class is especially sparse. Here are a few examples of United award flights when using TrueBlue:
- Economy from Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) – 38,300 points each way
- Economy from Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH) – 32,200 points each way
- Economy from Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) – 44,900 points each way
- Economy from Newark (EWR) to Washington, DC (IAD) – 11,900 points each way
- Business from Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) – 115,000 miles each way
- Business from Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH) – 80,000 miles each way
Quick Thoughts
Reciprocal earning and redeeming is now live between United Mileage Plus and JetBlue TrueBlue. While it’s always better to have additional options when it comes to earning miles and booking award flights, I haven’t seen many redemption options that are even remotely tempting so far. The prices on each side seem to be far above what you’d be able to find by using United miles for United flights (and vice versa).
We’re still in the early stages of this going live, so it’s possible that we might see better availability and pricing in the weeks ahead. As of now, however, it seems reciprocal elite benefits might be the best part of Blue Sky.
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My wish is that we can use the United Travel Bank to book JetBlue flights, and with a similar cost if we book directly with JB. That’s my wish. Lets see in the next weeks.
I live in a JB hub so that will be an easy way to use those Amex Credits in United Travel Bank
If you’re referring to the Amex Platinum $200/year or Amex Hilton Aspire $50/quarter airline incidental fee reimbursements (which I’ve also been using for Travel Bank), those are valid for up to 5 years; whereas, with Chase IHG Premier $50/year (as two $25 semi-annual Travel Bank credits in January and July, valid just 6 months), those are more time restricted.
Anyway, what jetBlue hub doesn’t already have United? I mean, if you’re referring to NYC, while United isn’t at JFK, it is at LGA and LGA; if you’re referring to FLL, there’s still UA at T1. I’m just curious which region could be your issue.
how are you using the $50 Aspire /quarter airline incidental fee for Travel Bank?same as IHG – buy a cheap ticket – then cancel + bank?
Guaranteed not. It can only be used for United flights, not any partners. You can’t even use it for award fees. They don’t want it to be flexible.
pricing on United out of PDX, STINKS ON ICE
I thought of it slightly differently: hot shit.
1990 did you find something decent? Please elaborate……………..