JetBlue TrueBlue has just rolled its newest promotion on purchased points. While not quite as good as the offer we saw at the beginning of the year, it still has the potential to represent a good value.
In this post:
Promotion on buying JetBlue TrueBlue points
Through Friday, June 28, 2024, JetBlue TrueBlue is offering a bonus on purchased points. Different accounts may be targeted for different offers, though it appears that the standard deal is for up to a 75% bonus, as long as you buy at least 3,000 points in one transaction. You’ll have to log into your TrueBlue account to see what you’re eligible for.
JetBlue lets you purchase at most 150,000 points per transaction, and at most 200,000 points per calendar year, before any bonuses. If you maximized the promotion, you could purchase a total of 262,500 points (including 112,500 bonus points) for $3,770.03, which is a cost of 1.44 cents per TrueBlue point.
Is buying JetBlue TrueBlue points worth it?
Selling points can be huge business for loyalty programs. Many loyalty programs generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue annually by selling points directly to consumers. This can be a win-win for both programs and customers.
But generally speaking, that’s not something that works too well for revenue based frequent flyer programs. Now, this offer is considerably better than past ones that we’ve seen, so let’s consider a couple of scenarios.
If you’re redeeming for travel on JetBlue, each TrueBlue point will typically get you at most 1.5 cents toward the cost of a JetBlue ticket, and that’s on the very high end. Personally I value TrueBlue points at 1.3 cents each. So you’re not really going to come out too far ahead here, if at all, by buying points and then redeeming toward a JetBlue fare.
Now, one other thing to keep in mind is that JetBlue TrueBlue recently added online redemptions on a couple of partners, including Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways. For example, a one-way business class award from the United States to Doha starts at just 70,000 TrueBlue points, so at this acquisition rate, that’s quite a good deal.
The catch is that Qatar Airways award availability can be tough to come by, and on top of that, connections beyond Doha will cost you extra. Still, at least there are now some circumstances where buying TrueBlue points could be justifiable, which I’d say wasn’t the case before.
Furthermore, for whatever reason, JetBlue TrueBlue seems to have access to more Qatar Airways award space than American AAdvantage, which is another reason to consider accruing TrueBlue points.
Bottom line
JetBlue is selling TrueBlue points with a bonus. The accounts I manage are eligible for a 75% bonus, which is an opportunity to buy points for 1.44 cents each.
While not as good as the 90% bonus we saw at the beginning of the year, this is otherwise among the best offers we’ve seen from TrueBlue. On top of that, the program recently rolled out online partner redemptions, with some potentially good value. Will this offer have widespread appeal? No. However, there are finally some circumstances where I could see value in buying these points.
Anyone plan on buying JetBlue TrueBlue points with a bonus?
B6 must need cash right now. A bit stingy in the past, but Icahn is breathing down Ms Johanna’s back and the premium has widen to bank cash.
They should change their name to Eastern Airlines. Soooo focused on the east coast and Caribbean, it can’t support anything west of the Hudson Valley.
Just no. Don't do this.
JetBlue points are worth less than they are being sold for.
You don't spend thousands at a guaranteed loss in the hopes that maybe you can book a Qatar award at some date in the future.
That's just crazy.