JetBlue announced today that it is expanding its partnership with Japan Airlines to include TrueBlue point redemptions. JetBlue TrueBlue members can can now use their points to book qualifying Japan Airlines flights directly via JetBlue.com.
With today’s announcement, Japan Airlines becomes the first East Asian airline partner that allows TrueBlue members to redeem points for travel. Edward Pouthier, Vice President of Loyalty and Personalization at JetBlue, said this about the upgraded partnership:
“We’re excited to expand the TrueBlue experience by growing our network of trusted airline partners, giving our members even more ways to redeem points,” said Edward Pouthier, vice president of loyalty and personalization, JetBlue. “With Japan Airlines redemption options, we’re opening the door to more destinations for our customers to travel where they want, how they want.”
According to JetBlue, this new redemption opportunity enhances its commitment to delivering more value and flexibility to its customers. With access to Japan Airlines’ renowned service and premium cabins, TrueBlue members can now explore a range of destinations across Japan and East Asia—including Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and Hokkaido—using their points.
The partnership will also allow JAL Mileage Bank members to redeem their miles for select JetBlue flights, including those to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and multiple cities in the Eastern United States.
Yasushi Omori, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Mileage and Lifestyle Business at Japan Airlines, said this about the partnership with JetBlue:
“We’re delighted to announce our newest mileage partnership with JetBlue, a leading carrier based in New York. This partnership will enable JAL to enhance its network beyond New York and Boston, where direct flights from Japan are available.”
JetBlue is not part of one of the big three global alliances so having the ability to redeem TrueBlue miles on more international carriers is a great development for its passengers. I’m interested to see what the redemption rates look like on these flights, especially premium cabin awards, as JetBlue is a transfer partner with many credit card companies like American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi.
While the airlines haven’t released an award chart, JT Genter and the folks over at Award Wallet have managed to piece together most of the award chart, finding Business Class flights from the West Coast to Asia for as little as 64,000 points.
To redeem miles for Japan Airlines flights, select “Use TrueBlue Points” when you search flights on jetblue.com or the JetBlue app, and any eligible JAL flights will appear in the flight results. TrueBlue points can be redeemed in Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class flights, subject to availability.
Summary
JetBlue and Japan Airlines have accounted reciprocal mileage redemptions for members of its True Blue and JAL Mileage Bank members. Thus should make it much easier for JetBlue members looking to book travel to Asia as well as provide another way for premium travel credit cardholders to transfer points to book Japan Airlines flights.
