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This JetBlue TrueBlue buy points promotion has ended. However, you can still purchase JetBlue TrueBlue points here.
JetBlue launched its latest buy points promotion through November 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST. JetBlue members can buy TrueBlue points with up to a 60% bonus through this deal, which drives the cost as low as 1.85¢ each. But is that a good deal? Let's look at when it makes sense to buy JetBlue points — and when it doesn't.
General Note on Buying Points
Generally speaking, it isn't a good idea to buy points or miles without a bonus or discount. Airlines and hotels typically sell points for a lot more than what they're worth. This is especially true for programs like JetBlue TrueBlue, which utilizes a fixed-value, revenue-based points currency.
However, you can find a few exceptions. If you only need a few more points to confirm a redemption you'd like to make, a points sale can be the perfect time to top off your account with a bonus or discount. Additionally, buying points can save you some cash if the price to buy points for an award redemption is cheaper than paying for the same flight in cash.
Related: A Guide to JetBlue's Newly Revamped TrueBlue Loyalty Program
Buy JetBlue Points Key Terms
- This promotion is valid through November 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
- Purchases of TrueBlue points are non-refundable.
- Purchased points should post within 72 hours.
- Any purchased TrueBlue points will not count toward qualification for Mosaic elite status.
- TrueBlue members may purchase a maximum of 200,000 points (before bonus) per transaction and per calendar year.
- All purchases include a 7.5% tax recovery fee on the value of the points purchased.
- See the full JetBlue terms and conditions here.
Per the terms and conditions, miles will be deposited within 72 hours of purchase. However, data points from AwardWallet users show that points purchases are typically processed within one day.
Bonus tiers
TrueBlue members might see different bonus levels for this promotion. The best one we found has the following bonus tiers:
- 1,000–2,000 points: No bonus (3.77¢ per point)
- 3,000–14,500 points: 35% bonus (2.37¢ per point)
- 15,000–29,500 points: 50% bonus (1.97¢ per point)
- 30,000–200,000 points: 60% bonus (1.85¢ per point)
You'll find the best rate when purchasing between 30,000 and 200,000 points. With the 60% bonus, you can purchase up to 320,000 points for $5,912.50 (including the 7.5% tax recovery fee). That's roughly 1.85¢ per point.
You'll notice that there is a 7.5% tax on this sale. Interestingly enough, you may not have to pay for this. When domestic airlines levy a Federal Excise Tax on mileage purchases, it's with the assumption that the purchased miles will be used for domestic air travel. If you use those purchased miles for international travel, hotel stays, gift cards, or any other redemption, you should be able to get it refunded.
To learn more, check out a post about it at View From The Wing. If you were to get the Tax Recovery Fee refunded, this promotion's best rate drops to just 1.72¢ per point. That rate is certainly better, but it's still not the best.
How JetBlue Redemptions Work
Unlike zone-based award programs (like Air Canada Aeroplan) or category-based programs (like World of Hyatt), JetBlue's TrueBlue currency operates at a fixed value of between 1¢ and 1.5¢ per point. More specifically, JetBlue TrueBlue points average 1.24¢ per point, based on AwardWallet users' redemptions.
The advantage of a program like this is that your ability to use points is steady. You don't have to find award availability to get a good redemption. In turn, the disadvantage is that you rarely find any outsized value for your points.
But your inability to find any “sweet spots” in JetBlue's non-existent award chart doesn't mean there are no good JetBlue point redemptions. With fixed-value currencies, if cash fares are cheap, award prices also are cheap.
For example, this transcontinental route between New York and Los Angeles shows several flights available for just 11,800 points + $5.60.
JetBlue also offers one of the best domestic business-class products available. If you're keen to try JetBlue Mint, you can find some great deals for points redemptions. For example, you can book this Seattle to Boston itinerary in JetBlue Mint for only 44,000 points.
At a purchase rate of 1.85¢ per point, you'd pay $814 for the points plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. That may sound fairly reasonable — until you realize that the cash rate for the same flight is just $487.
In this case, it makes much more sense to buy the flight outright than to buy JetBlue points for this redemption. However, if you have almost enough JetBlue points for an award redemption, it could make sense to top off your account with a purchase.
Maximize Your Points Purchase
TrueBlue point purchases are processed by Points.com. Unfortunately, this won't count as an airfare or travel purchase on your credit card. Instead, consider paying with these cards:
- Any credit card where you're working on a welcome bonus. These are the best welcome offers available right now.
- Any credit card with perks you can unlock from spending, such as hotel free night awards, hotel elite status, or airline elite status.
- Your best credit card for everyday spending, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?
Other Ways to Earn TrueBlue Points
If you're not in a bind for time, perhaps a better way to earn TrueBlue points might be with a sign-up bonus on a JetBlue co-branded credit card:
- JetBlue Plus Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and payment of the annual fee.
- JetBlue Card: Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
- JetBlue Business Card: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points. Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points when a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days.
JetBlue TrueBlue also has transfer partners that you can use to top up your balance:
Bottom Line
Even with a 60% bonus, this promotion to buy JetBlue points for 1.85¢ each presents a pretty poor value for your money. It falls far short of the 1.24¢-per-point value of TrueBlue points in typical redemptions. Due to the currency's fixed value, buying points makes sense in very few situations.
If you're right on the cusp of an expensive redemption and lack transferable points, this promotion could be the fastest way to get the missing points for your award flight. Otherwise, you should probably steer clear.
Can you think of any other times it might make sense to buy JetBlue points for 1.85¢ each?
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
A great article. It almost seems it should not be allowed to sell points at more than face redemption value.
I am glad you posted this JetBlue offer, and the mileage data as well. It’d be nice if you could also advise us about
(possible?) Jet Blue plans to join any of the larger airlines mileage cards. Otherwise, it becomes rather difficult to
earn actual flying miles.
Ana Maria – there are 3 cards for JetBlue already, so I’m guessing maybe you meant to say “join any of the larger airlines alliances”, is that what you meant? As of now, I’m not aware of anything. Their partnership (in the works) with American Airlines could make it easier to book JetBlue flights with miles, since you could book using AA miles in the future. Would that be an indication that JetBlue would join oneworld alliance? I’m not sure. Oneworld now has 2 airlines in North America (AA and Alaska). As of now, we haven’t heard anything about alliance plans.
Even with this bonus the redemption rates are usually sky high so really not a great deal
Is Jetblue part of any alliance? Otherwise it’s a big disadvantage…
JetBlue isn’t part of a global alliance, but it’s getting closer and closer with AA by the month: https://awardwallet.com/blog/american-airlines-jetblue-mileage-elite-earnings/
Great offer here from Jet Blue, I’m impressed
Is there any redemption on a partner Airline flight ? If so, I’ve never heard of that before.
I really want to try JetBlues Mint. However, I will probably be transferring from Chase or Amex to get the points needed for a flight. I think that I would only buy the miles if I have another use for my transferable points.
Can I still reedem the true Blue miles with Emirates Flights or is the partnership between them over?
I’m not 100% certain on this, but I believe you can only redeem Emirates Skywards on Jetblue flights, but not TrueBlue Points on Emirates flights.
Nice promotion and I almost feel tempted but ultimately think there are cheaper ways to earn miles.
I seriously can’t think of a way that buying points makes sense for this program.
Topping up the account for an expensive redemption is always mentioned and can be a good tool, however, to get the best value, you have to buy 30 000 points! That is a lot more than a top-up! I think most people will pass on this.
I agree with a lot of the other posters. I’d be interested in this offer if there was any value to these points outside of B6… their program is still to limited and insulated for me to bite here.
A discount on points to (maybe) get a discount on flights. I’ll pass, and just keep taking the surveys for free B6 points.
I’ve been having some issues with looking up flights using JetBlue’s ‘Best Fare Finder’. Flights within 1-2 months don’t seem to show up. Does anyone else have that issue?
Definitely easier to redeem points with Jet Blue than AA. And these bonus points sound like a good deal, will look into it, thanks! For that reason and more I still prefer JetBlue over most airlines, but they are slowly losing me as they keep adding more and more fees for everything and taking away benefits.
That’s very similar to the ongoing IHG dynamic “mystery bonus point offer.”
The problem with JetBlue miles is that you can’t use them on any other partner airline cuz it’s not part of the big three (Skyteam, Star Alliance, or OneWorld) airline teams, which I think is a big disadvantage. Would have been nice to use it in the affiliated flights with American from JFK tho.
The AAdvantage alliance benefits AAdvantage members so much more.
I agree in general that buying points is a bad proposition. In this case, with the high price for point it is even a worse proposition.
The fact that JetBlue is a standalone airline is a big disadvantage in my opinion.
Unless you a small amount of points to top off your account for an award, this offer makes little sense….I wonder why they even bother to offer it sometimes
JetBlue is great for personal travel. They have consistent routes and the kids love the experience.
I’ve really enjoyed jetblue flights and love them. One really good is that their points don’t expire.
I used to like the jet blue redemption but see less deals these days as far as using points and better off just paying cash for the cheap flights so definitely wouldn’t buy points!
I agree, as usual, unless you have an immediate use for the miles, it is not wise to keep miles for the future. You would not know what the value of these miles will be in the future.
I agree, I’m worried that frequent flyer programs will be seen as easy pickings for cost savings after COVID.
Now since JetBlue partners with American I could see if you had more with JetBlue miles and see that you can redeem it on American for your trip it would be better. I don’t have that since I live in an American hub. Unless I use JetBlue miles for an American flight or have to get a flight for a trip that they service I won’t be able to use their miles.
Hard pass. When I resume flying, I’ll buy flights via Chase Travel.
Best to only buy points to top an an award. Especially now when travel us such a volatile prospect.
When it comes to Jetblue, I just want to purchase a budget fare ticket and be done with it.
JetBlue is actually running a 100K mileage bonus by signing up for their credit card. You get 50K with $1K of purchases within 90 days and an additional 50K for spending a total of $6K within the 1st 12 months. This offer is available for the personal and business card, so potentially 200K miles plus 12K for the spend.
I received the 40% off plus 10% bonus offer which was 33K miles for $495.00. I don’t have either of the credit cards yet, so will opt for these and spend the money on the things I actually need over a 12 month period. Both cards have a $99.00 Annual Fee not waived. That’s still easier since I haven’t started air travel yet and want to start accruing miles again, especially Jet Blue.
You’re right! We are in the process of updating our card details to reflect the new bonus.
I will not be buying JetBlues miles or any other airline miles at this time. I prefer to hold onto my cash!
Never buy the points unless you have immediate use for them. They not only devalue with no warning, the state of the airlines now are precarious. You dont know if they will all survive.
Jet blue is a quality airline. this sixty percent off deal is a real bonus during this time of unnecessary covid panic and real fear of rioters. Travel would be a great escape both from fear for your life and for your mental health.
Yes, it’s rather disappointing that something so wonderful as travel, that would likely help mentally, is one of the very things that puts us at risk and spread the disease in the first place.
Mint often (if not always) actually has a lower value redemption rate than standard economy. Slightly disappointing.
Non-refundable purchases of TrueBlue points is one of the main problems of this offer.
Can someone actually explain the definition? I do not know what it means.