JetBlue and Etihad expand partnership to include loyalty benefits
JetBlue is bolstering its partnership with a major Gulf airline. Starting May 8, the New York-based carrier will expand its partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad to include loyalty benefits.
That means, going forward, you’ll be able to use your TrueBlue points to book a flight aboard Etihad — or vice versa. And the same goes for earning miles and enjoying loyalty benefits.
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Growing partnership
JetBlue and Etihad have been partners for close to a decade, now. But their link-up has been a much simpler codeshare arrangement, allowing for travelers to book itineraries with seamless connections between the two carriers.
But until now, Etihad Guest and TrueBlue loyalists have not been able to tap into frequent flyer benefits when booking travel on the opposite carrier.
That’s about to change.
Once the two carriers’ partnership expands on Wednesday (May 8), TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members will be able to earn and redeem points in the loyalty program of their choice when flying on the network of either airline, JetBlue shared in a statement Tuesday.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
What this means for travelers
Partners since 2014, adding Etihad as a full loyalty partner would seem to bring the Abu Dhabi-based airline more in line with the array of airlines with which JetBlue has frequent flyer program tie-ups — from Qatar to Singapore Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Icelandair.
From time to time, JetBlue’s other partnerships have produced compelling opportunities for travelers to find business class partner award deals using TrueBlue points, such as in Qatar’s Qsuites.
Whether you have a stash of TrueBlue points — or credit card rewards that transfer to JetBlue or Etihad — the news of this partnership could open up more flexibility and opportunities for redemptions.
Etihad’s Residence aboard its Airbus A380. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
For instance, you may find future opportunities to use TrueBlue points for a flight aboard Etihad’s Airbus A380 out of New York. Or you might be able to transfer a flexible currency like American Express Membership Rewards to JetBlue for a Mint redemption across the Atlantic.
A JetBlue Mint suite on its Airbus A321neo. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
“This partnership extension delivers both JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members more ways to earn and redeem on travel, making exploring either airline’s network of top global destinations even more rewarding,” Christopher Buckner, JetBlue vice president of loyalty and partnerships, said in a statement announcing the news.
Specific details on what the reciprocal perks might look like for elite status members, including Mosaic members traveling aboard Etihad, were not immediately available.
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