JetBlue and Cape Air have had a partnership dating back to 2007, as the airlines have had a codeshare agreement since then. It has just been announced that this partnership is now being taken to the next level, as it’s now possible to earn and redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points for travel on Cape Air.
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JetBlue & Cape Air expand codeshare with loyalty benefits
JetBlue and Cape Air are improving their partnership for TrueBlue members, as it’s now possible to earn and redeem points for travel on Cape Air. However, don’t get too excited.
First for some background, Cape Air is one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States, currently serving 32 cities in the United States and the Caribbean, with more than 250 daily flights. JetBlue has long partnered with Cape Air on connections, including in New York, Boston, San Juan, and more.
Thanks to the improved partnership, TrueBlue members can earn points for Cape Air tickets, but only when booked through JetBlue’s website or mobile app. The earnings rates are lower than for travel on JetBlue:
- Cape Air tickets in the Y, H, B, R, M, Z, O, U, S, and P fare classes, earn 2x TrueBlue points per dollar spent
- Cape Air tickets in the L fare class earn 1x TrueBlue points per dollar spent
- Cape Air tickets in the A and X fare classes don’t earn TrueBlue points
As a point of comparison, this isn’t quite as generous as JetBlue’s standard points earning rates, as you ordinarily earn up to 3x points per dollar spent, and then also get double as many points for booking through JetBlue’s website.
Still, this is better than nothing, especially since in most situations, JetBlue’s pricing matches what you’ll find directly through Cape Air. Personally, I value TrueBlue points at 1.3 cents each, so I’d consider this to be an incremental 1.3-2.6% return on Cape Air spending.
What about redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue points for Cape Air flights? On the plus side, you can redeem points for virtually any Cape Air flight bookable through JetBlue. The catch is that you get almost exactly one cent of value per point compared to the cash cost of a ticket, so that’s not exactly an amazing use of TrueBlue points.
While there are opportunities to earn and redeem points on Cape Air, note that JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic elite perks don’t apply on Cape Air.
My take on JetBlue’s loyalty benefits on Cape Air
JetBlue’s current management team is doing a great job with trying to turn the airline around. An important aspect of this is making the TrueBlue program more compelling, given what big business loyalty programs can be for airlines.
For years, it seemed like JetBlue put little effort into growing its TrueBlue program. However, recently we’ve seen the airline add redemptions on partner airlines, including on Qatar Airways and Hawaiian Airlines. It’s nice to see yet another partner now… it’s just kind of wild that it took so many years to get to this point.
The JetBlue and Cape Air loyalty collaboration is a positive development, but it’s hard to get too excited. If a Cape Air ticket has the same pricing directly with Cape Air as it does with JetBlue, then booking through JetBlue is the obvious choice. Meanwhile when it comes to redeeming points, this isn’t how I’d choose to redeem my TrueBlue points, but still, others may feel differently.
Still, more opportunities to earn and redeem points are always a good thing, so I’m happy to see this. For what it’s worth, JetBlue isn’t the first major airline that Cape Air is partnering with. There are similar arrangements with American Airlines and United Airlines.
Bottom line
JetBlue has expanded its partnership with Cape Air. While the carriers have had a codeshare agreement since 2007, it’s now possible for TrueBlue members to earn and redeem points for travel on Cape Air. I’m happy to see this partnership expanded, so here’s to hoping we see more TrueBlue partners in the future.
What do you make of JetBlue and Cape Air expanding their partnership?
Good fit with the B6 hunker down strangely of focusing on the east coast (Boston) and Caribbean (San Juan).
Should B6 ever get its act together again, may be adventurous to purchase a commuter airline like Silver or Cape Air to handle smaller markets like New England via Boston; the Bahamas via Fort Lauderdale; or the Caribbean islands via San Juan.
Why is it B6 and not JB?
Glad to see at least JetBlue is following Delta's example of a coherent partnership with Cape Air. United and American's way of doing things is insane. No earning unless the flight carries a UA or AA flight number (and no Cape Air flights in New England do, and in the Caribbean it's fairly random). I've never successfully redeemed UA miles for a Cape Air flight anywhere, and on AA you can only redeem AA miles...
Glad to see at least JetBlue is following Delta's example of a coherent partnership with Cape Air. United and American's way of doing things is insane. No earning unless the flight carries a UA or AA flight number (and no Cape Air flights in New England do, and in the Caribbean it's fairly random). I've never successfully redeemed UA miles for a Cape Air flight anywhere, and on AA you can only redeem AA miles on Cape Air flights in certain random cities.
UA and AA really need to get it together.
Very odd that you can only book itineraries that are exclusively CapeAir using TrueBlue points (i.e., you can't book a mixed itinerary where you fly JetBlue from LGA > BOS, then continue BOS > PVC on CapeAir). In contracts, Delta permits these mixed itineraries using SkyMiles.
Doesn't Cape have similar arrangements with other majors? B6 might be playing catchup here. Though, in fairness, if one is behind, catching up is a good first step.