topic Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline in Credit Cards

Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 22:02:29 GMT

I'm looking for a card for a domestic airline and Jetblue and Alaska both seemed to be ranked highly in customer satisfaction. My major airports are LAX and Long Beach airport. Does anyone have either card and which one would you recommend? I would be looking to fly 2 - 3 times a year.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

kidink1911 — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 22:48:43 GMT

I have the JetBlue MC and in my experience the TrueBlue points add up quickly-- plus you earn 3x points on JetBlue purchases, 2X the points on restaurants and groceries stores, and 1x points on all other purchases. Plus there is no annual fee- I love it!

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 01:43:10 GMT

Building on kidink's post, I have the JetBlue Plus. With the Plus, you do have a $99 AF, but you get a free checked bag for you and up to 3 companions, 5000 annual bonus points, 6x points on JetBlue Purchases plus the 2x on grocery, restaurant (including fast food) and 1x on everything else, 10% redemption bonus points, and an annual $100 statement credit when you purchase a JetBlue Getaway package. Plus, there is also 30,000 bonus points after your first $1000 spend in the first three months.

I didn't think I could go wrong with the extra stuff with this card, and the free checked bags and extra/redemption points will easily offset the AF.

But, I will say that I've flown Alaska Airlines a lot and they are awesome. but I am not in a position to get a BOA approval so I went with JetBlue.

Good luck with whichever you choose!

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 02:31:31 GMT

I'm a big fan of the 30K miles for $1000 spend with the Alaska Visa Sig. Jetblue is 5K for $1000, if I recall.

Jetblue gives you 2X on restaurants/groceries, so if you eat as much as I do, you might want to play the long game. I selected Alaska because I plan on going on a diet.

Someday.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

fedxboy — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 14:50:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm looking for a card for a domestic airline and Jetblue and Alaska both seemed to be ranked highly in customer satisfaction. My major airports are LAX and Long Beach airport. Does anyone have either card and which one would you recommend? I would be looking to fly 2 - 3 times a year.

Well, Jetblue is Barclays and Alaska is BofA. I have both cards. I didn't have a spending requirement with BofA and got 30k miles just on approval with Alaska, which I've used on American and Delta (12,500 miles being the cheapest 1-way plus like 11 bucks. ) I signed up with Alaska Air Miles first and they eventually sent me a referral to apply for the Visa Sig and upon approval -- 30k instantly. They gave me a $12k starting limit, while slashing my BBR visa from 6k to 5.5k - lolololol!!!

I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

I hear they're both splendid airlines!!

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Schwartzinator — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 16:29:07 GMT

Everytime my SO and I have tried to use JetBlue to fly in or out of LGB there has been some sort of delay or error. They even had the audacity to fly the plane to PDX at 10,000 feet with the landing gear down once. They offered her a $25 certificate after she complained. Both times I've flown it was delayed 3 hours but I did get a $50 and $75 refund. Still havent touched them. We now fly Alaska almost exclusively to and from SNA. She got the Alaska card for the miles, but ended up ditching it for the CSP. I think JetBlue has the better card by a longshot, but Alaska has the better airline. This is all just personal opinion from our experiences and ymmv. I know a handful of people who love JetBlue and it honestly seems like most airlines are slipping these days.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

ramblinggirl — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 23:46:55 GMT

I have had the jetblue card for a couple of yrs now. Initially, I used it a lot because I traveled a lot for work. But now I find flights are way more expensive than the other airlines. Also on the east coast the flights always have a layover in Boston and in the winter I am afraid i will get stuck there.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 14:32:37 GMT

Given the airports you fly out of, I think those two airlines are definitely your best options. I personally have the no AF JetBlue card and it's served me well. I know almost nothing about Alaska Airlines, so I won't comment on them. But you mentioned that you fly 2-3 times a year, so you could easily make up the annual fee in checked bags with just 2 trips. If you go the JetBlue route, it might be worth it to get the AF card for the bonus and the other benefits. Honestly the no AF version of the card serves me well though.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 14:45:05 GMT

@fedxboy wrote:

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

fedxboy — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 14:53:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm a big fan of the 30K miles for $1000 spend with the Alaska Visa Sig. Jetblue is 5K for $1000, if I recall.

Jetblue gives you 2X on restaurants/groceries, so if you eat as much as I do, you might want to play the long game. I selected Alaska because I plan on going on a diet.

Someday.

You're right about the $1000 spend for 30k miles on Alaska for the Visa Sig (75AF), but if they don't qualify for the Visa Sig, then they only get 5k miles for the platinum (50AF).

As for the JetBlue card, you're also correct about the 5k miles for $1000 spend, but that's for the no annual fee card. The JetBlue Plus card with the AF of 99, gets you 30k miles for the $1000 spend, which is even better since you'll get 1 free checked bag AND other perks

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

fedxboy — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 15:24:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?

You're correct with your summation, but if you're into it only for the miles, then you can't beat free travel essentially. Now, I really only app'd for the JETBLUE card since it was formerly with AMEX and it was my 3rd (backdated card to 1988) which helped my AAOA. It's no longer with Amex anymore, but I still have 2 other backdated cards.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 15:46:04 GMT

@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?
You're correct with your summation, but if you're into it only for the miles, then you can't beat free travel essentially. Now, I really only app'd for the JETBLUE card since it was formerly with AMEX and it was my 3rd (backdated card to 1988) which helped my AAOA. It's no longer with Amex anymore, but I still have 2 other backdated cards.

Oh OK, that makes sense then. That's kind of like me with Hilton...I rarely stay in hotels but went with them since they are AmEx and were giving a nice sign up bonus on the no AF card.

Oddly enough I just signed up with Alaska since they are giving away 5k miles to members who sign up and book their first flight. No idea if I'll get around to flying them in the timeframe, but you never know. They don't really go where I go. But for someone like the OP who lives on the West coast, it doesn't seem like you could wrong with either airline.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

fedxboy — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 16:04:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?
You're correct with your summation, but if you're into it only for the miles, then you can't beat free travel essentially. Now, I really only app'd for the JETBLUE card since it was formerly with AMEX and it was my 3rd (backdated card to 1988) which helped my AAOA. It's no longer with Amex anymore, but I still have 2 other backdated cards.
Oh OK, that makes sense then. That's kind of like me with Hilton...I rarely stay in hotels but went with them since they are AmEx and were giving a nice sign up bonus on the no AF card.

Oddly enough I just signed up with Alaska since they are giving away 5k miles to members who sign up and book their first flight. No idea if I'll get around to flying them in the timeframe, but you never know. They don't really go where I go. But for someone like the OP who lives on the West coast, it doesn't seem like you could wrong with either airline.

@Alaska didn't fly where I wanted to go either, but you can still use their MILES on 17 other different airlines. Airlines listed in pic. I used the miles on American and Delta already and my former Elevate points from Virgin America transferred to Alaska @ 3 Alaska miles for every 1 Elevate point, resulting in another free 1 way

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 16:11:49 GMT

@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?
You're correct with your summation, but if you're into it only for the miles, then you can't beat free travel essentially. Now, I really only app'd for the JETBLUE card since it was formerly with AMEX and it was my 3rd (backdated card to 1988) which helped my AAOA. It's no longer with Amex anymore, but I still have 2 other backdated cards.
Oh OK, that makes sense then. That's kind of like me with Hilton...I rarely stay in hotels but went with them since they are AmEx and were giving a nice sign up bonus on the no AF card.

Oddly enough I just signed up with Alaska since they are giving away 5k miles to members who sign up and book their first flight. No idea if I'll get around to flying them in the timeframe, but you never know. They don't really go where I go. But for someone like the OP who lives on the West coast, it doesn't seem like you could wrong with either airline.
@Alaska didn't fly where I wanted to go either, but you can still use their MILES on 17 other different airlines. Airlines listed in pic. I used the miles on American and Delta already and my former Elevate points from Virgin America transferred to Alaska @ 3 Alaska miles for every 1 Elevate point, resulting in another free 1 way

Good point. But I just meant that the terms of the 5k sign up offer require your first fight to be on an Alaska or Virgin operated flight.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

fedxboy — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 16:14:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@fedxboy wrote:
I don't know much about JetBlue. They say they fly out of Cleveland, OH and go to Austin, TX, but every time I look online -- it says, no flights avail. I haven't flown them yet, nor used my miles. Someday, I'll call them. My card was an Amex Jetblue that was purchased by Barclays.

Just a quick note, I took a look and JetBlue only flies to Boston and Ft. Lauderdale out of Cleveland. The thing about JetBlue is that their route network is much smaller, and they aren't as extensive like Southwest, Delta, etc...but they are getting there. So if you don't live in one of their hubs...most likely your only direct options are going to be Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and JFK. And taking a connecting flight isn't really feasible with them. Who wants to fly from Cleveland to Boston/Ft. Lauderdale just to get to Austin?
You're correct with your summation, but if you're into it only for the miles, then you can't beat free travel essentially. Now, I really only app'd for the JETBLUE card since it was formerly with AMEX and it was my 3rd (backdated card to 1988) which helped my AAOA. It's no longer with Amex anymore, but I still have 2 other backdated cards.
Oh OK, that makes sense then. That's kind of like me with Hilton...I rarely stay in hotels but went with them since they are AmEx and were giving a nice sign up bonus on the no AF card.

Oddly enough I just signed up with Alaska since they are giving away 5k miles to members who sign up and book their first flight. No idea if I'll get around to flying them in the timeframe, but you never know. They don't really go where I go. But for someone like the OP who lives on the West coast, it doesn't seem like you could wrong with either airline.
@Alaska didn't fly where I wanted to go either, but you can still use their MILES on 17 other different airlines. Airlines listed in pic. I used the miles on American and Delta already and my former Elevate points from Virgin America transferred to Alaska @ 3 Alaska miles for every 1 Elevate point, resulting in another free 1 way

Good point. But I just meant that the terms of the 5k sign up offer require your first fight to be on an Alaska or Virgin operated flight.

Oh okay, I didn't know about that stipulation. Sorry to the OP, as I didn't mean to override your original question; however, all in all....it's all good advice!!

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Creditfan1234 — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 16:36:44 GMT

I have them both and there are some pros and cons to both as many others have mentioned. We personally fly into LGB two to three times a year just to go to Newport and Huntington Beach on the weekend so JetBlue is a great option for us. I have the plus card and the free baggage helps and also earning miles adds up when they do the 4,000 mile flights out of SLC that we snag. Also, you can use your JetBlue points on Hawaiian Airlines and fly out of LAX. Now with Alaska you have way more partners and with the signature card you can get the companion pass with your card which is a sweet deal
and they have way more partners then JetBlue does. Also,more flights around the west coast compared too JetBlue. Why not get them both? Test the waters if your willing to open up two new accounts.

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 07:22:08 GMT

Is there a situation where getting them both might make sense? If the annual fee on both don't make sense I can always downgrade to the no fee Jetblue card and use the 2x on groceries to get points?

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 07:48:57 GMT

With the Alaska and Virgini merger will the Virginia America card get converted to Alaska cards?

Re: Jetblue vs Alaska airline

Creditfan1234 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 21:45:04 GMT

Getting them both depends on your situation. For me it works because we fly often. Plus a $180 in annual fees almost gets zeroed out when you look at the benefits of both cards. It'd say do it and if you don't want to keep the JetBlue plus card downgrade it too the non-annual fee card