United and JetBlue have pulled the trigger on earning and redeeming points as part of their new partnership.
- JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn points flying United and redeem on United.
- United MileagePlus members can earn miles flying JetBlue and redeem on JetBlue (“most flights”). Travel between Newark and Aruba, Cancun, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Punta Cana is excluded.
Mileage redemptions do not appear to be a great deal, but it’s something. For instance, 35,000 United miles each way in coach between New York JFK and LA on JetBlue and 80,000 miles one way for business class. And, of course, United has been tight with long‑haul premium partner award space. You’re going to find very little long haul business class redemption opportunities on United using JetBlue points.
In the first quarter of 2026 they’ll introduce booking revenue tickets on each other’s websites, and they’ll introduce reciprocal elite benefits: priority boarding, access to preferred/extra‑legroom seats, and same‑day standby/changes. No lounge reciprocity has been announced.
United elite members will get
- Priority check-in, boarding and security
- Preferred seats at booking and extra legroom seats at check-in if available
- One free checked bag
JetBlue highlights free checked bags, preferred seats and boarding plus same day changes on United for its Mosaic elites.
Next year, United’s “MileagePlus Travel” (hotels, cars, cruises, packages, insurance) will be powered by JetBlue’s Paisly platform. And in 2027, United gets to return to New York JFK (terminal 6) with up to 7 daily round‑trips, enabled by JetBlue slot access, in excahnge for an eight‑slot‑time exchange at Newark.
This is an interline and loyalty collaboration, not a codeshare or joint venture. The airlines will market and price independently.
Just end jetBlue already!
I saw a JetBlue flight to Atlanta last Sunday, but looking ahead a few months no nonstops. Sigh.
Yeah, and unlike the jetBlue and American partnership, United is so cheap that they won’t allow reciprocal lounge access (I know, jetBlue doesn’t have lounges yet, but JFK and BOS are coming.)
Can someone tell me what was the point? Why bother working to get each other’s flights to be bookable on each other’s miles if the prices will be so eye wateringly expensive on almost all routes?
How does this engender any loyalty?
@RunningJock — No way; jetBlue is actually doing a great job with both Economy and Mint; more legroom, IFE, free WiFi, better food, and first carrier to operate a321 with lie-flat. I’d rather end United. Bah! (You’re welcome, @Tim Dunn; sorry, @MaxPower, @JL, etc.)
@Common Sense — Probably eventual access/slots at JFK (to attempt that yet again once the new T5/6/7 opens.)
@1990 – Cheap? Kirby is so tightfisted he’ll squeeze a silver dollar until the eagle screams.
@Christian — And enough with the ‘blue balls’ safety video, too! I’m neck deep in stroopwaffle over here! Drowning in unusable PlusPoints!
@1990: Yes, but that has nothing to with loyalty and why United/B6 would add a redeeming portion of the partnership.
@Common Sense — I don’t think there’s a reason I could ever provide that would be good enough for you. And, I get it; the partnership is kinda ‘weak’ for us passengers. (They’re not booing; they’re saying: “Boourns!”)
But what about the new Citi Srata card? I think we took our eyes off the prize