Comparing JetBlue and Southwest Travel Credit Cards

If you have been debating applying for a JetBlue credit card or a Southwest Airlines card, we collected all the information you need to compare the two cards. Below you will find the various personal travel credit cards offered by the two airlines, along with all the benefits of each. 

1. JetBlue Card

JetBlue offers two types of personal credit cards – The JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Card Plus. The card is a Mastercard presented by Barclays. The basic card is offered with no annual fee, while the Plus has a $99 fee and many extra benefits. JetBlue offers family pooling with points so make sure your kids are signed up with an account. Jetblue’s Vacation Packages are also worth considering as they can save you money if you bundle your flight and hotel.

Bonus Points: Receive 10,000 points after spending $1,000 in first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $0

Earn Points: 3x points per $1 spent on JetBlue purchases. 2x points per $1 spent at restaurants and grocery stores. 1x points per $1 spent on other purchases

Checked Bag Benefit: N/A

Inflight Savings: Receive a 50% savings on inflight purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

2. JetBlue Plus Card

Bonus Points: Receive 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days and payment of the annual fee.

Annual Fee: $99

Earn Points: 6x points per $1 spent on JetBlue purchases. 2x points per $1 spent at restaurants and grocery stores. 1x points per $1 spent on other purchases

Checked Bag Benefit: Free first checked bag for you and up to three companions on the same reservation when you use your JetBlue Plus Card to purchase tickets.

Inflight Savings: Receive a 50% savings on inflight purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Vacations Package Benefits: Enjoy an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.

Anniversary Bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

The Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards are Visa cards from Chase. Southwest has three different options for personal credit cards – Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier and Priority. All Southwest flights include two free checked bags per person. Families should keep in mind that all lap children will need to present a birth certificate. Families with children under 6 are allowed to board after Group A, which is important because there are no assigned seats on Southwest Airlines. And there are no change fees on Southwest which makes it a great option for traveling with young kids.

Bonus Points: Receive 40,000 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months your account is open.

Annual Fee: $69

Earn Points: 2x points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases. 2x point per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotels and car rental partner purchases. 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Inflight Savings: None

No Foreign Transaction Fees: N/A

Anniversary Bonus: Earn 3,000 bonus points every year after your cardmember anniversary.

4. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Bonus Points: Receive 40,000 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months your account is open.

Annual Fee: $99

Earn Points: 2x points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases. 2x point per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotels and car rental partner purchases. 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Inflight Savings: Receive 20% back on all inflight purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Other Benefits: Earn tier qualifying points towards A-List status. 

Anniversary Bonus: Earn 6,000 bonus points every year after your cardmember anniversary.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Bonus Points: Receive 40,000 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months your account is open.

Annual Fee: $149

Earn Points: 2x points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases. 2x point per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotels and car rental partner purchases. 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Inflight Savings: Receive 20% back on all inflight purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Other Benefits: Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points towards A-List status and receive a $75 Southwest annual travel credit. 

Anniversary Bonus: Earn 7,500 bonus points every year after your cardmember anniversary.

Upgraded Boardings: Receive four upgraded boardings per year when available.

Both airlines offer different perks for families. With JetBlue, you can enjoy free wi-fi on the flight and a large number of destinations. Southwest allows for great flexibility with no change fees and free checked bags. Choosing between these two airlines may really just come down to which one flies to your preferred destinations and is more convenient from your hometown airport. The best way to take advantage of the card you choose is to fly often so we recommend going with the airline you are most likely to fly since they both offer great card benefits. Which would you choose between the Jetblue and Southwest credit cards?

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