Lackluster benefits with no annual fee #CashNews.co

The JetBlue Card is a rare airline credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. But while the card does offer some solid value potential for big spenders, most people will find its benefits underwhelming.

With no annual fee, there are few perks. However, cardholders will get a 50% discount on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights, which is higher than what most airline credit cards offer.

Additionally, your card spending can help you earn Mosaic elite status. More specifically, you’ll earn 1 tile for every $1,000 you spend on the card. You’ll achieve the first tier of Mosaic status with 50 tiles or $50,000 in annual spending. You can also earn 1 tile for every $100 you spend on eligible spending with JetBlue, so depending on how frequently you fly with JetBlue, you could earn status with less than $50,000 in spending.

The first tier of Mosaic status includes several perks, such as priority boarding, two free checked bags, complimentary alcoholic beverages in flight, complimentary seat upgrades and a status match with Avis.

The JetBlue Card offers solid rewards on JetBlue purchases. Some annual-fee airline cards may only give double points or miles on purchases with the co-branded airline.

You’ll also earn double points on restaurant and eligible grocery store purchases, giving you a chance to rack up more rewards on some common household spending categories.

That said, the vast majority of your spending will earn just 1 point per dollar. While that’s standard for airline credit cards, you may wish to pair the JetBlue Card with another travel credit card that offers a higher base rewards rate to ensure you maximize the value of all of your purchases.

As a frequent flyer program, the best way to use JetBlue TrueBlue points is to book award flights. The airline allows you to use rewards to cover the full fare — though you’re on the hook for taxes and fees — or to use a mix of points and cash.

JetBlue offers flights throughout the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and a few countries in South America and Europe. You can also redeem points for flights with Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways, but international flights are limited beyond that.

You can also use your rewards to book JetBlue Vacations packages or donate them to a charitable cause.

The JetBlue Card may be worth considering if you spend a lot and want to earn Mosaic status with no annual fee. But even casual travelers can get more value with another card.

Related: Here are the top travel credit cards available

• Path toward elite status: Very few airline credit cards allow you to earn elite status just with your everyday spending.

• No annual fee: If you’re fee-averse, the JetBlue Card could be a good way to earn airline rewards without worrying about a yearly charge.

• Solid bonus rewards rates: The card offers a high rewards rate on eligible purchases with the airline, as well as bonus rewards on some everyday spending categories. Compared to other airline credit cards — even some that charge annual fees — these rewards rates are solid.

• Low welcome offer: Even compared to other no-annual-fee credit cards, the JetBlue Card’s welcome bonus is low.

• Low base rewards rate: You’ll likely earn just 1 point per dollar on the vast majority of your spending. If you want more than that, consider a card that offers 1.5% or 2% back as a base rewards rate.

• Few benefits: With no annual fee, you generally can’t expect much from an airline credit card, and the JetBlue Card is no exception. While some cardholders may be able to use the card to earn Mosaic status, it takes a lot of spending to get there, and the card doesn’t offer any other standout perks.

The JetBlue Card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which is just about anywhere that accepts credit cards in the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, the card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee on international purchases.

Barclays, which issues the JetBlue Card, offers a few different options for making credit card payments, including:

• Online: You can log in to your online account or the Barclays US mobile app to pay your bill using a linked bank account.

• Phone: Call 866-383-8192 to make a payment using your linked bank account.

• Mail: You can mail a check or money order to the address listed on your statement.

• Customer service availability: Phone 24/7

• Phone number: 866-928-3104

• Customer service email: Barclays doesn’t offer email support, but you can reach out to a representative on X (formerly Twitter) @AskBarclaysUS.

• JetBlue Card login page

If you’re looking for an airline credit card that offers more value, consider the JetBlue Plus Card, which offers a much bigger welcome bonus, a variety of flight perks and bonus points each year to help offset the card’s $99 annual fee.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more flexibility, here are a few other cards to compare with the JetBlue Card.

Why we like it: If you want more flexibility and great rewards on every purchase, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice. It offers an impressive welcome bonus and a base rewards rate of 2 miles per dollar on all of your purchases.

You can redeem your miles for travel by booking directly with the Capital One Travel portal or by using the card to book travel on your own with an eligible merchant and then request a statement credit within 90 days. You can also transfer your miles to several airline and hotel loyalty program partners.

While the card charges a $95 annual fee, you’ll get an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, elite status with Hertz, and no foreign transaction fees.

Check out our Capital One Venture Rewards card review

Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a rewards powerhouse, with a sizable welcome offer, bonus points on several everyday spending categories, and flexibility with redemptions. You’ll also earn a 10% points bonus each year based on your spending.

When redeeming points, you’ll get 25% more value if you use rewards to book travel through Chase. You can also get cash back, buy gift cards, shop online, and transfer your points to several airline and hotel loyalty programs. The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

You’ll also get up to $50 in statement credits each year toward hotel bookings made through Chase, which helps reduce the sting of the card’s $95 annual fee.

Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Why we like it: If you want an airline credit card that offers robust options for both domestic and international destinations, consider the United Explorer Card.

The card offers a solid welcome bonus plus bonus miles on several different spending categories. What’s more, you’ll get some great benefits, including two one-time passes to the United Club airport lounge each year, priority boarding, your first checked bag free, premier upgrades on award tickets, a 25% discount on inflight and Club drink purchases, and an application fee credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

The card charges a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95 after that.

Read our review of the United Explorer Card

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

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