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In May 2023, a federal judge ruled that American Airlines and JetBlue's “Northeast Alliance” partnership was anti-competitive. Since then, the two airlines have had to wind down their partnership. The first step in this was the elimination of codeshare flights and award redemptions in July.
Now, we have an end date for when American Airlines AAdvantage mileage earnings and status benefits will end for JetBlue flights — plus when lounge access will end for JetBlue-booked American Airlines flights. Here's what you need to know about the next stage of the breakup of the Northeast Alliance.
American Airlines & JetBlue Mileage Earnings and Status Benefits End Date
As part of the expansion of the Northeast Alliance, travelers could earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on JetBlue flights. Plus, AAdvantage elites got certain perks when flying on JetBlue. Now, both of these are coming to an end.
Travelers will no longer earn AAdvantage miles on JetBlue flights after January 31, 2024. And AAdvantage elites will no longer get the following AAdvantage elite status benefits when flying JetBlue:
As of publishing, JetBlue hasn't updated its Northeast Alliance page to say when TrueBlue members will no longer earn points or enjoy status perks on American Airlines.
However, a JetBlue spokesperson confirmed to AwardWallet that Mosaic elites will no longer enjoy perks like priority check-in, free checked bags, or early boarding on American Airlines after January 31, 2024. However, TrueBlue members will continue to earn points and tiles on American Airlines-operated flights — assuming they entered their TrueBlue number by July 21, 2023:
If you're a TrueBlue member and your TrueBlue number was added to the booking prior to 7/21/23, you'll continue to earn points and tiles on American-operated flights you booked through JetBlue.
If you have Mosaic status, you'll also receive any reciprocal perks you're eligible for, such as priority check-in and security, early boarding and free checked bags when traveling on either airline through 1/31/24.
As referenced in that statement, travelers can no longer add a TrueBlue number to an American Airlines booking — or visa versa. As we alerted readers in July, you needed to add your account number before July 21, 2023 to earn miles/points and get status perks through this ending partnership.
Ending Date for American Airlines Lounge Access on JetBlue-Booked Flights
Another aspect of the American Airlines-JetBlue partnership was that qualifying travelers could access the Admirals Club or Flagship Lounge when booking American Airlines flights through JetBlue. This too is coming to an end on January 31, 2024. After that date, you'll need to be booked on an American Airlines or Oneworld flight — and otherwise eligible — to access the Admirals Club or Flagship Lounge.
Keep in mind that transatlantic flights were never part of the Northeast Alliance. That means travelers won't get Admirals Club or Flagship Lounge access when flying on American Airlines flights to/from Europe booked with a JetBlue codeshare flight number.
Bottom Line
The next phase of the forced breakup of American Airlines and JetBlue's Northeast Alliance was just unveiled. After January 31, 2024, American Airlines AAdvantage members will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or enjoy elite status perks when flying on JetBlue flights. And qualifying travelers will no longer get lounge access on JetBlue-booked American Airlines flights after January 31, 2024.
This ending partnership is a bummer for travelers who enjoyed earning miles/points and elite status regardless if they flew American Airlines or JetBlue. However, with the Northeast Alliance struck down in federal court, the partner airlines don't have any choice other than to end these frequent-flyer-friendly policies.
The only silver lining is that travelers should hopefully start seeing lower airfare prices when American Airlines and JetBlue have to start competing with each other once again.
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