Summary
- JetBlue and Qatar Airways now allow TrueBlue and Privilege Club members to book each other’s award flights without dynamic pricing, offering more opportunities for travel and no surcharges.
- Booking Qatar tickets with JetBlue provides access to routes beyond Europe, with flights to Doha and destinations in the Middle East and Asia. Prices are slightly lower but can be more expensive for connecting itineraries.
- Transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards to JetBlue brings a 25% bonus until specific dates, making it a good way to take advantage of Qatar Airways availability.
JetBlue and Qatar Airways have been codeshare partners for two years now, allowing travelers to book each other’s flights on select routes and earn miles on all flights. However, one feature that remained absent was mileage redemptions, until this month. Now, TrueBlue and Privilege Club members can book either other’s award inventory without dynamic pricing, a huge draw in some cases. Here’s all you need to know.
Booking Qatar tickets with JetBlue
It’s always big news when two airlines come together to offer award tickets, especially when one has a global presence. For JetBlue members, it brings a vital partner that opens routes far beyond Europe, allowing you to connect through Doha throughout the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Bookings can be made online, with a one-service from New York to Doha only costing 34,000 TrueBlue miles one-way and connections to Singapore coming in at 63,000 one-way, all in economy.
Prices are just slightly lower than Qatar Airways itself, meaning there is some value to be had booking through JetBlue, however marginal (~1,000 miles each way). However, the airline does charge for each sector separately, so booking connecting itineraries is more pricey. While QR charges 47,500 miles for JFK-SIN, JetBlue will charge 63,000.
Photo: Max Walter | Shutterstock
If you don’t want to take the long way and collect miles from flights or JetBlue co-brand credit cards, there’s good news. Transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards brings a 25% bonus until January 10th, 2024, while American Express Membership Rewards will get 25% extra until 30th November. This might be a great way to take advantage of the wide-open Qatar availability, although QSuites don’t seem to be available just yet. You also get 10% back for booking with a co-brand card too.
Booking with JetBlue with Avios
Eagle-eyed users might have noticed that any rewards with Qatar Airways are booked with Avios, meaning you can move points seamlessly from British Airways as well. This opens a myriad of new connections in the US, although not without controversy. As reported by The Points Guy, Qatar began offering JetBlue awards in the first week of November with some very attractive rates. With no dynamic pricing, you could book Mint business from New York to London for just 62,000 points, half of what JetBlue could charge. Domestic flights ranged from 6,000 to 13,000 for 650 miles to 3,000 miles in distance.
With no surcharges, this was too good to be true, and a week later awards were gone. When they returned this week, prices went up drastically. Domestic flights are now 8,500 to 18,500 Avios (0-650 miles and 2,000-3,000 miles), up over 40%. Mint business on transatlantic routes jumped by 25% to 78,000, meaning it was a bit less attractive than before.
Photo: JetBlue
Regardless, the lack of dynamic pricing opens up some more opportunities for members and no surcharges are tempting. Availability is wide open right now, so feel free to book Spring and summer travel as soon as you can.
What do you think about JetBlue and Qatar’s partnership? Let us know in the comments.
Source: The Points Guy