Want to turn those hard-earned American Express Membership Rewards points into an amazing JetBlue flight? You've come to the right place! Transferring points can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, but with this detailed, step-by-step guide, you'll be soaring with JetBlue TrueBlue points in no time. Let's get started!
How to Transfer American Express Points to JetBlue: A Comprehensive Guide
Transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to JetBlue's TrueBlue program is a fantastic way to unlock award travel. While it's not always the highest value redemption in the Amex ecosystem, it offers a direct path to JetBlue flights, known for their comfortable cabins and friendly service. Let's break down exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Fly? Confirm Your Travel Plans & JetBlue TrueBlue Account!
Before you even think about transferring points, pause and plan. Transfers are generally final and irreversible. This means once your Amex points become TrueBlue points, there's no going back!
Confirm Your Travel Itinerary: Do you know exactly where and when you want to fly with JetBlue? Have you checked for award availability on your desired dates? This is crucial. While JetBlue's TrueBlue program is revenue-based (meaning point cost fluctuates with cash fares and there are generally no blackout dates), it's still wise to ensure the flight you want is available and at a reasonable points price.
Do You Have a JetBlue TrueBlue Account? If not, no worries! It's quick, easy, and free to sign up. You'll need your TrueBlue account number to complete the transfer. You can enroll on the JetBlue website. If you already have one, make sure you know your login details.
Pro Tip: If you're a new TrueBlue member, it's a good idea to enroll a day or two before you plan to transfer points, just to ensure everything is set up correctly in their system.
Step 2: Navigate to the American Express Membership Rewards Portal
This is where the magic begins! You'll need to log in to your American Express account to access your Membership Rewards points.
Log In to Your American Express Online Account:
Go to the official American Express website (americanexpress.com).
Enter your User ID and Password to log in.
Once logged in, look for the "Membership Rewards" section. This is usually prominently displayed on your account dashboard, often under a "Rewards" or "Benefits" tab.
Step 3: Initiate the Points Transfer to JetBlue TrueBlue
Once you're in the Membership Rewards portal, you'll find the option to transfer your points to airline and hotel partners.
Find "Transfer Points" or "Travel Partners": Within the Membership Rewards section, you'll typically see options like "Transfer Points," "Travel," or "Airline Partners." Click on the relevant link that allows you to transfer your points to external loyalty programs.
Select JetBlue TrueBlue: You'll be presented with a list of American Express's transfer partners. Scroll through the list until you find JetBlue TrueBlue. Click on it to proceed.
Important Note on Transfer Ratio: American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to JetBlue TrueBlue at a ratio of 250 Membership Rewards points = 200 TrueBlue points. This effectively means a 1:0.8 ratio. Keep this in mind when determining how many points you need to transfer. For example, if a flight costs 20,000 TrueBlue points, you'll need to transfer 25,000 American Express Membership Rewards points.
Watch for Transfer Bonuses! American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to JetBlue (and other partners). These bonuses can significantly increase the value of your transfer, sometimes by 25% or 30%. Always check if a bonus is available before initiating a transfer, as it can make a big difference in the number of points you need.
Step 4: Link Your JetBlue TrueBlue Account (If Not Already Linked)
For your first transfer, or if you haven't transferred to JetBlue before, you'll need to link your TrueBlue account to your American Express Membership Rewards profile.
Enter Your JetBlue TrueBlue Account Number: You will be prompted to enter your JetBlue TrueBlue membership number. Double-check this number for accuracy, as an incorrect number could delay or prevent your points from arriving.
Confirm Account Holder Details: Ensure that the name on your American Express account matches the name on your JetBlue TrueBlue account. In most cases, you can only transfer points to a TrueBlue account in your own name. While some sources suggest you might be able to transfer to an authorized user's account (who has been an authorized user for at least 90 days), it's generally safest to transfer to your own.
Step 5: Specify the Number of Points to Transfer and Review
This is where you decide how many of your valuable Amex points you want to convert into JetBlue TrueBlue points.
Enter the Amount: You'll need to input the number of American Express Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer. Remember the 250:200 transfer ratio when calculating your desired amount.
Minimum Transfer: The minimum transfer amount to JetBlue TrueBlue is typically 250 Membership Rewards points, and transfers are usually in increments of 250 points.
Review Transfer Details: Carefully review all the information displayed, including:
The number of American Express points you are transferring.
The equivalent number of JetBlue TrueBlue points you will receive.
Any applicable fees (more on this below).
The linked JetBlue TrueBlue account number.
Step 6: Acknowledge and Complete the Transfer
The final step is to confirm your transfer request.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: You'll usually need to check a box or click a button to agree to the terms and conditions of the transfer. Read them carefully, especially regarding the finality of the transfer.
Confirm Transfer: Click the "Transfer Points" or "Confirm" button to finalize your request.
Excise Tax Offset Fee: Be aware that American Express charges an excise tax offset fee when transferring Membership Rewards points to U.S. airline partners, including JetBlue. This fee is $0.0006 per point transferred, with a maximum fee of $99. You'll typically have the option to pay this fee with your linked American Express card or by using additional Membership Rewards points. Paying with your Amex card is generally the better option, as redeeming points for this fee provides very poor value.
Confirmation: You should receive an on-screen confirmation and likely an email confirmation from American Express shortly after completing the transfer.
Step 7: Verify Points in Your JetBlue TrueBlue Account
Now, the waiting game begins! But thankfully, for JetBlue, the wait isn't usually long.
Transfer Time: Transfers from American Express to JetBlue TrueBlue are often instant or almost instant. While American Express states it can take up to 48 hours, many users report seeing the points appear in their TrueBlue account within minutes.
Check Your JetBlue TrueBlue Account: Log in to your JetBlue TrueBlue account on jetblue.com to confirm that the transferred points have arrived. Once they are there, you can proceed with booking your flight!
Troubleshooting Tip: If the points haven't appeared after a few hours, first check your email for any notifications from Amex or JetBlue regarding the transfer. If still nothing, contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service for assistance. Have your transfer confirmation number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about transferring American Express points to JetBlue, with quick answers:
How to Check the Current Transfer Ratio for Amex to JetBlue?
The standard transfer ratio is 250 American Express Membership Rewards points to 200 JetBlue TrueBlue points. You can always confirm this on the American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners page.
How to Find Out If There's a Transfer Bonus to JetBlue?
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses. These are usually advertised directly on the Membership Rewards transfer page when you select JetBlue, or through email promotions. Always check before transferring!
How to Know if My JetBlue TrueBlue Account is Linked to My Amex?
When you go through the transfer process on the American Express Membership Rewards website, if your JetBlue account is already linked, it will typically show as a pre-filled option. If not, you'll be prompted to enter your TrueBlue account number.
How to Avoid the Excise Tax Offset Fee When Transferring Amex Points?
Unfortunately, you cannot avoid the excise tax offset fee when transferring Amex points to U.S. airline partners like JetBlue. However, you can choose to pay the fee with your American Express card rather than using points, which offers a much better value.
How to Maximize the Value of My JetBlue TrueBlue Points?
The value of TrueBlue points is somewhat tied to the cash price of a ticket. To maximize value, look for cheaper cash fares as they will require fewer points. Consider using points for Even More Space seats if you have Mosaic status, or for their Mint business class for premium experiences.
How to Book a JetBlue Flight with Points After Transferring?
Once your points appear in your TrueBlue account, log in to jetblue.com, select "Use TrueBlue Points" when searching for flights, and proceed with your booking as you would with cash.
How to Cancel or Reverse an Amex Points Transfer to JetBlue?
Unfortunately, once you initiate a transfer from American Express Membership Rewards to JetBlue TrueBlue, the transfer is final and irreversible. Always double-check your plans before transferring.
How to Combine JetBlue TrueBlue Points with Family Members?
JetBlue offers a "Points Pooling" program where TrueBlue members can combine their points with family members. This can be a great way to accumulate enough points for a desired redemption. You can set this up directly on the JetBlue website.
How to Use JetBlue TrueBlue Points for Partner Airlines?
JetBlue TrueBlue points can be redeemed for flights on select partner airlines like Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Cape Air. You'll need to search for availability directly on the JetBlue website to book these partner flights.
How to Contact American Express Customer Service for Transfer Issues?
If you encounter any issues with your points transfer, you can contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service directly. Their contact information can typically be found on the back of your American Express card or on their website under the "Contact Us" section.
