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When American Airlines and JetBlue announced their Northeast Alliance partnership, a lot of details were still a mystery. Now, we have some of the most important details. In this post, we'll break down award redemption pricing from one partner to another and also the elite status benefits you can expect when flying on the other partner.
Recap on American Airlines and JetBlue Partnership
The so-called “Northeast Alliance” is a partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue that was first announced in mid-2020. First, this partnership added codeshare flights on select flights in and out of the Northeast. However, the partnership has grown to include dozens of new flights from key markets.
Earlier this year, the two airlines announced reciprocal points earning benefits when flying on the partner airline. That announcement also included elite status credits when flying on the other partner. You can read the full breakdown here, including mileage and status earning rates.
Given that JetBlue TrueBlue is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Brex, this partnership can open more doors to booking American Airlines flights. That's because American Airlines is only a transfer partner of Marriott Bonvoy & Bilt Rewards.
It's also important to note that this partnership is moving forward and expanding, despite a lawsuit from the Department of Justice. JetBlue and American have responded with a dedicated website arguing the case for their partnership.
See also: A Guide to JetBlue's TrueBlue Loyalty Program
See also: A Complete Guide to American Airlines AAdvantage Elite Status
Redeeming Miles to Fly on the Other Airline
AAdvantage Redemptions for JetBlue Flights
American Airlines is using the same redemption tables that are used for all other partners. Thus, there's no special mileage table to consult when redeeming for JetBlue flights.
Here is the American Airlines award table for economy flights departing the continental U.S. & Canada (prices are one way, per passenger):
| Destination | One-way economy cost (in miles) |
|---|---|
| U.S. 48 & Canada | 12,500 |
| Alaska | 15,000 |
| Hawaii | 22,500 |
| Caribbean, Mexico & Central America | 17,500 |
| South America zone 1 | 20,000 |
| South America zone 2 | 30,000 |
| Europe | 30,000 |
| Middle East | 40,000 |
| Indian Subcontinent | 40,000 |
| Africa | 40,000 |
| Asia zone 1 | 35,000 |
| Asia zone 2 | 37,500 |
| South Pacific | 40,000 |
JetBlue doesn't operate flights to all of these destinations, but you can mix and match JetBlue and other AAdvantage partners to get to any of these destinations. To understand which destinations are in which regions, consult this list.
While the economy chart remains unchanged, American Airlines is treating JetBlue Mint differently than other partners. Rather than treating it as a business class product, American Airlines is applying first-class award pricing to all Mint awards.
Even worse, Mint service to or from the following cities — referred to as “premium airports” hereafter — will require extra mileage on award bookings: Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and West Palm Beach (PBI).
Here is the AAdvantage mileage chart for award redemptions that include flights in JetBlue Mint class:
| Destination | One-way business / Mint award pricing | One-way business / Mint award pricing to premium airports |
|---|---|---|
| Continental U.S. & Canada | 50,000 | 65,000 |
| Alaska | 55,000 | 70,000 |
| Hawaii | 80,000 | 95,000 |
| Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean | 52,500 | 67,500 |
| South America Zone 1 | 55,000 | 70,000 |
| South America Zone 2 | 85,000 | 100,000 |
| Europe | 85,000 | 100,000 |
| Middle East | 115,000 | 130,000 |
| Indian Subcontinuent | 115,000 | 130,000 |
| Africa | 120,000 | 135,000 |
| Asia zone 1 | 80,000 | 95,000 |
| Asia zone 2 | 110,000 | 125,000 |
| South Pacific | 110,000 | 125,000 |
Important notes for AAdvantage award bookings for JetBlue flights:
- You need “P” class availability to redeem AAdvantage miles for JetBlue economy flights.
- You need “I” class availability to redeem AAdvantage miles for JetBlue Mint (business class).
- The Northeast Alliance specifically excludes JetBlue's new New York (JFK) to London (LHR) flight. Thus, you can't redeem AAdvantage miles for this flight.
- You can redeem awards that have a connection with flights connecting between American & JetBlue in the same itinerary; this will not alter the price.
- The award tables include regions where JetBlue doesn't fly since you can connect to these places with American Airlines or other AAdvantage partners.
- If either the start or end point is one of the premium airports, then you will pay the higher mileage rate for a business class redemption–even if only one leg is in Mint and the other leg is in American Airlines “domestic first class”.
- With the premium American Airlines is charging on Mint flights, it may make sense to book via Emirates Skywards instead.
TrueBlue Redemptions for American Airlines Flights
While American Airlines has the details of its award table ironed out, JetBlue does not. At present, you cannot book American Airlines flights using TrueBlue points.
Reciprocal Elite Status Benefits
One of the key details in any airline partnership is what benefits elites from American Airlines can enjoy on JetBlue and vice versa. These reciprocal benefits are now active as of October 13, 2021.
AAdvantage Benefits when Flying on JetBlue
You can add your AAdvantage number when checking in online, at the airport, via kiosk, or in the app for a JetBlue flight. No waiting in line to talk to a person is required. AAdvantage elites should get the following benefits:
- Priority check-in
- Expedited security screening
- Priority boarding
- Up to two free checked bags, up to 50 pounds each (one free checked bag for Gold elites and two free checked bags for all other levels)
- Priority baggage delivery
JetBlue Mosaic Benefits when Flying on American Airlines
JetBlue Mosaic members will enjoy the following benefits when flying on American Airlines:
- Priority check-in
- Expedited security screening
- Complimentary preferred seating selection (does not include Main Cabin Extra)
- Group 4 boarding
- Complimentary same-day changes to flights
- Two free checked bags, up 50 pounds each
- Priority baggage delivery
It's interesting to note that JetBlue Mosaic members will board in Group 4 on AA flights. This is the same boarding group as Gold elite members, oneworld Ruby members, AirPass members, those flying Premium Economy, those with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® card, any travelers who bought Priority boarding, and eligible corporate travelers.
Group 4 boarding is later in the boarding process than people flying in first class & business class, as well as those with AAdvantage ConciergeKey and Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum status. It's also behind the boarding order for oneworld Emerald and oneworld Sapphire members.
Bottom Line
There are still some things to iron out, such as putting your JetBlue TrueBlue redemptions for American flights. However, the partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue continues to move forward. We now having pricing for JetBlue award flights using AAdvantage miles and lists of benefits that elites can enjoy when flying on the other airline. As the partnership continues to progress and more information is known, we will continue to provide updates.
Will the American-JetBlue partnership change your travel experience, or does it not do anything for you? Let us know.
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Hi
I’m trying to book flights on AA using my Jetblue number. I am a Mosiac member of Jetblue, however when I go in to book my flight on American, if I select jetblue loyalty, it tells me that I need to clear out the information and reenter the passenger information. It will not allow me to just select jetblue, and enter my loyalty number. It requires me to reenter all of my info, including precheck etc. It takes me to the end to pay, but I haven’t pulled the trigger as I’m confused as to why it cannot simply allow me to change only my loyalty information. Has anyone else run into this?
Thanks!
For American Platinum elites flying on Jetblue, do the 2 free bags only apply for the actual elite passenger or, as it is on American flights, to all passengers traveling with that elite member in the same reservation?
That’s a great question. AA’s site is slim on details. It notes “AAdvantage® status members receive additional benefits when traveling”. Similarly, JetBlue’s website notes “Mosaic and AAdvantage elite members can now enjoy some of their favorite perks on both airlines, including: Up to 2 free checked bags” Both don’t mention companions. So, it seems like it’s only for elite passengers only. However, I just reached out to AA to see for sure.
Hi JT – did you ever get the answer to this question? Thanks!
I did! Thanks for flagging this. “The two free checked bags apply to status members and their companions traveling on the same flight. Let me know if you have any other questions.” I confirmed that the travelers need to be on the same reservation – not just the same flight.
Can anyone share ideas on how to use AAdvantage points within Europe without incurring high fees and taxes?
At least there are steps forward with this. It’ll be nice to be finally able to redeem JetBlue on AA flights. I know it’ll open up possibilities for me. I am wondering what happened with the data from the temporary transfer to AA from Citi and how long will they take to analyze it to see that it would be a good option.
Useful! Thanks for the breakdown!
I currently have free checked bags on American via our Citi Platinum card. I’m not sure if that qualifies as ‘elite’ – does this carry over to JetBlue assuming I enter my AA miles number on Jet Blue?
T
Thanks!
Unfortunately it doesn’t. The terms are pretty clear that the flights have to be domestic flights operated by AA:
“Eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® primary credit cardmembers may check one bag free of charge when traveling on domestic itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on itineraries marketed by American Airlines and operated as American Eagle® flights by Envoy Air Inc., Republic Airways Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., Mesa Airlines, Inc., PSA Airlines, Inc., or Piedmont Airlines, Inc. All flights on the itinerary must be domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle. This benefit will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an American Airlines flight number but operated by another airline.”
Noticed that this December 2021 holiday American had added several daily nonstops from my home (Houston IAH) to New York (LGA), whereas American had no nonstops from Houston to New York for over 2 decades before the AA/B6 partnership. Furthermore, American was charging less for First Class (259) on most of their flights than JetBlue was charging for economy (569) on their once per day flight from Houston to New York. Both carriers flights showed up on each others websites, and Google Flights showed each flight economy (for American flights) and Blue Basic and Blue (for JetBlue flights) as bookable on both airlines websites. However, American First Class seats did not show up on JetBlue’s website. No Basic Economy pricing showed up for the American Airlines flights (or for Delta) but their regular economy rates (79) were the lowest available prices for the route out of all of the airlines. United, our Houston hub carrier, was matching American and Delta’s regular Economy price – but in Basic Economy instead of regular Economy. The most expensive prices – was Spirit! Second highest was JetBlue. I was looking on a Friday for flights the following Tuesday before Christmas. What a topsy-turvy air travel world we are in right now, with ULCCs Spirit and JetBlue charging higher airfares than mainline carriers American, Delta, United. American and United are using a mix of full size aircraft and RJs (and United also some B767/B777/B787, while Delta is strictly using A220s). Delta and United were matching American’s First Class price on some (not all) of their flights. So since pre-pandemic Houston to New York was a regular route for me, and while I prefer premium travel but I always shop it competitively (the opposite of going for elite status), I would say the Northeast Alliance seems to be increasing competition and bringing more value for me, particularly if 6 different airlines (the 6th is Southwest, whose rates do not show up on Google Flights) continue to operate nonstop service Houston to New York.