I really feel like all I can hear when I read the news on this is the famous Friends line “We were on a break!”
In this article
JetBlue and American Airlines Announce Partnership (Again!)
In the early 2010’s, you were able to earn miles across JetBlue and American Airlines on select routes out of Boston and New York (JFK). It wasn’t a full scale partnership like what has been announced today, but there was a partnership and it ended in 2014. American was the side that ended things there, though JetBlue had been on the record as stating that the deal was under-performing.
It is kind of like how American Airlines and Alaska Airlines had a reciprocal agreement for their elite flyers (as well as earn and burn) which they ended just a couple of years ago, only to reinvigorate it this year.
And of course, now, Alaska Airlines will join American Airlines in Oneworld.
Today’s announcement, not so unlike a decade ago, brings news of a large number of codeshares between JetBlue and American Airlines – including a focus on routes from New York and Boston (what’s old is new again, isn’t it?).
JetBlue will have at least 60 new routes that will be codeshares operated by American while American will add ~130 new routes on codeshares operated by JetBlue.
American is simultaneously announcing that they will launch new JFK-TelAviv and JFK-Athens service as well as restore JFK-Rio De Janeiro.
With the new partnership, you’ll be able to book a variety of tickets that use both JetBlue and American Airlines metal on one ticket and with seamless baggage interchange.
Will there be reciprocal American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue True Blue Elite Benefits?
They hint at this, but they stop short of announcing anything.
This is all that AA says in its news release: JetBlue and American loyalty members will also enjoy new benefits while the carriers are exploring additional premium experiences for customers.
Hmm. There’s certainly an opportunity, but we’ll have to wait and see.
The chatter I’ve seen online is mostly from loyal JetBlue TrueBlue members that are nervous this will water down their experience. We’ll have to wait and see what unfolds.
All things being equal, I’d rather be earning Alaska Mileage Plan status with my AA flights than credit to JetBlue, but elite reciprocity could be interesting for TrueBlue members flying American.
Will you be able to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles on JetBlue or Vice Versa?
This is also not confirmed, though it’s certainly a possibility. Keep in mind that JetBlue redemptions are tied to the price of the ticket so you can’t get too amazing of a deal on any tickets using TrueBlue points. They do have an award table for partner Hawaiian Airlines, but there are no great deals there at all.
Thoughts?
Let me know below in the comments, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group.
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