Understanding the New Blue Sky Alliance: JetBlue United Award Pricing

The recently launched Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue marks a significant shift in how travelers can earn and redeem points. This collaboration opens new avenues for point redemption and enhances the travel experience for both airlines’ members. In this article, we’ll explore the key details surrounding award pricing for United-operated flights booked through JetBlue TrueBlue and vice versa, along with essential tips for maximizing your travel rewards.

Under the Blue Sky alliance, JetBlue TrueBlue points can now be used for United-operated flights. This means that travelers can enjoy a seamless way to book flights with either airline, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind regarding award pricing and availability.

Award Pricing Insights

When booking United flights through JetBlue, you can generally expect consistent award pricing. However, it’s crucial to note that finding available award space can be challenging, particularly for business class seats. For certain routes, award pricing may increase significantly as the departure date approaches. For instance, we observed that nonstop United flights from Newark to Johannesburg could cost an additional 27,800 points when booked within three days of departure. Similarly, flights from Newark to Dubai saw a price increase of 26,600 points when booked last minute.

To maximize your points, focus on nonstop flights, as each segment of a multi-stop itinerary is priced individually. For example, a one-stop journey from Los Angeles to Seoul via San Francisco on United flights would require 81,800 JetBlue points plus $260.60 in taxes and fees. In contrast, a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Seoul costs 69,900 points plus $260.60, while the segment from Los Angeles to San Francisco is only 11,900 points plus $5.60. This illustrates how the total points for a one-stop itinerary can simply be the sum of the individual nonstop segments.

Interestingly, the points required for United flights booked through JetBlue do not strictly adhere to a distance-based pricing model. For example, a 1,023-mile nonstop flight from Newark to Palm Beach, Florida, costs 39,900 JetBlue points plus $5.60, while a much longer 3,370-mile route from Newark to Anchorage costs only 39,000 points plus $5.60. Within the continental U.S., the minimum JetBlue points required for United flights appears to be 11,900, as seen in the 140-mile route from Houston to Austin. For international flights, the minimum is slightly higher at 15,900 points for a 129-mile route from Guam to Saipan.

Challenges with JetBlue Flights via United MileagePlus

Searching for JetBlue flights through United MileagePlus can present its own set of challenges. In some instances, we found that JetBlue-operated flights were not available for booking through United, even on routes where JetBlue offers nonstop service. When flights were available, the award pricing often exceeded that of United-operated flights.

For example, a JetBlue-operated flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Medellin, Colombia, costs 20,000 United miles plus $20.60, while an Avianca-operated flight on the same route costs only 17,500 miles plus $20.60. Additionally, we did not find any JetBlue Mint transatlantic itineraries available through United MileagePlus, although there may be options available that we did not encounter.

One notable example of JetBlue Mint pricing was a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, which could be booked for 80,000 United miles plus $5.60 in fees. Alternatively, an economy seat on the same flight costs 35,000 United miles plus $5.60. In contrast, a connecting United-operated itinerary could be booked for just 13,300 miles plus $5.60, highlighting the potential for better value with United.

Conclusion: Weighing Your Options

The Blue Sky alliance undoubtedly offers exciting opportunities for members of JetBlue and United. However, based on our analysis, the award rates we encountered may not be compelling enough to justify transferring rewards to either JetBlue TrueBlue or United MileagePlus. If you have points or miles to redeem, it’s wise to explore other options that may provide better value than the new redemption possibilities introduced by this partnership.

As you navigate the world of travel rewards, remember that credit cards can play a pivotal role in enhancing your travel experiences. By leveraging everyday spending for cash back or travel rewards, you can unlock opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Our team at The Points Guy is dedicated to helping you find the best credit card options to turn your travel goals into reality.

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In summary, while the Blue Sky alliance opens new doors for travelers, it’s essential to stay informed and strategic about how you use your points and miles to maximize your travel experiences.