Key Points

• United and JetBlue expanded their Blue Sky partnership in February 2026, allowing cross-booking on both airline websites for cash and award tickets.
• MileagePlus members flying JetBlue won't earn status-qualifying credits, limiting the partnership's value for status chasers.
• Elite benefits launch by spring 2026, giving Premier and Mosaic members priority perks across both airlines.

Introduction

United Airlines and JetBlue just made their Blue Sky partnership significantly more useful for points and miles collectors. Starting this month, you can book flights on either airline's website and choose which loyalty program earns your points, whether you're paying cash or redeeming miles.

This expansion builds on the initial partnership launch from October 2025, but the February 2026 update brings meaningful changes that'll affect how you earn and redeem points across both airlines. If you're loyal to United MileagePlus or JetBlue TrueBlue, understanding these new rules will help you maximize your rewards and avoid some notable restrictions.

What Changed in February 2026

The Blue Sky partnership initially let you choose your earning preference when booking directly with each airline. Now, the integration runs deeper.

You can book JetBlue flights directly on United's website and United flights on JetBlue's site. This applies to both paid fares and award bookings. The seamless integration means you won't need to jump between websites to compare options or build complex itineraries.

By spring 2026, the airlines plan to offer connecting itineraries that mix United and JetBlue flights on a single ticket. Think Boston to Washington Dulles on JetBlue, connecting to a United flight to Frankfurt. These through-tickets should simplify international connections, especially on routes where one airline has stronger domestic coverage and the other excels at transatlantic service.

How Points Earning Works

The earning rates differ depending on which program you're targeting.

TrueBlue members flying United earn 5 points per dollar spent, down from the standard 6 points per dollar on JetBlue-operated flights. You'll still earn tiles toward Mosaic status on United flights, which matters if you're working toward JetBlue elite status. For anyone focused on building TrueBlue status through credit card spending and flights, having United as an earning option expands your opportunities beyond JetBlue's network.

MileagePlus members flying JetBlue earn 5 miles per dollar, which aligns with base earning on United flights. Premier elites get their standard earning bonuses. However, United placed significant restrictions on these flights. You won't earn Premier Qualifying Flights or Premier Qualifying Points toward status on any JetBlue flights, which dramatically limits this partnership's usefulness for status chasers.

United also excluded specific JetBlue routes from MileagePlus earning entirely. Flights from Newark to Cancun, Aruba, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Punta Cana won't earn United miles at all. Additionally, only certain JetBlue fare classes qualify for MileagePlus earning: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, and Z.

The lack of status-qualifying credit on JetBlue flights represents a major gap. If you're chasing United Premier status, you'll need to stick with United-operated flights or Star Alliance partners that do offer full status credit.

Award Redemption Through the Partnership

Both airlines opened award bookings through the partnership last October, but value has been inconsistent.

You can use TrueBlue points to book United flights or MileagePlus miles for JetBlue itineraries. The challenge comes in the pricing. Partner awards often cost more than directly-bookable flights, and the Blue Sky partnership hasn't escaped that pattern.

Before transferring points or booking awards through this partnership, compare pricing across both programs. Check what the same flight costs in MileagePlus miles versus TrueBlue points. In many cases, you'll find better value booking directly with the operating airline's program rather than going through the partner.

The expanding route network creates more redemption options, particularly for international travel. JetBlue's Mint business class on transatlantic routes becomes bookable with United miles, while United's extensive global network opens up to TrueBlue members. Just verify the pricing makes sense before committing your hard-earned points.

Elite Benefits Coming This Spring

By spring 2026, elite status perks become reciprocal across both airlines.

United Premier elites will access JetBlue's EvenMore seats with extra legroom, matching what they'd get on United flights. JetBlue Mosaic members gain access to United's Economy Plus seating. Both groups receive priority boarding, checked bag allowances, and same-day change privileges when flying either airline.

The benefit matching follows logical tiers. Premier Silver roughly aligns with Mosaic, Premier Gold with Mosaic+, and the higher Premier tiers provide benefits comparable to top-tier JetBlue status.

Notably missing from this partnership: lounge access and upgrade eligibility. United's Premier 1K members won't get into JetBlue's new JFK lounge, and Mosaic members can't access United Clubs. Similarly, complimentary upgrades don't cross over. United's upgrade system and JetBlue's upcoming domestic first class cabin remain separate from this partnership.

For elite status seekers, the best strategy remains earning status with one primary airline while using the partnership benefits as a backup when the other airline offers better routing or pricing. The reciprocal perks add value without requiring you to split your loyalty.

Best Credit Cards for This Partnership

If you're flying both United and JetBlue regularly, choosing the right credit card matters.

The Chase United Quest Card offers 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in three months, plus valuable perks like two annual United Club passes and a $125 annual credit toward United purchases. You'll earn accelerated miles on United purchases and general travel, making it ideal if United is your primary carrier but you occasionally fly JetBlue through the partnership.

For JetBlue loyalists, the JetBlue Plus Card provides 6x points on JetBlue purchases and 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores. The annual fee is reasonable, and cardholders get perks like free checked bags and bonus points on your cardmember anniversary that can offset the cost.

If you want flexibility across multiple airlines, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve let you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to United at a 1:1 ratio. You can't transfer to JetBlue, but the broader transfer options and travel insurance benefits make these cards valuable for anyone flying multiple carriers.

Business travelers might prefer the Ink Business Preferred, which earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 in combined travel and advertising purchases annually. Those points transfer to United, giving you strong earning potential if you're booking flights through the Blue Sky partnership.

Strategic Considerations for Points Collectors

The expanded partnership creates some legitimate opportunities but requires careful planning.

Focus your United MileagePlus earning on United-operated flights since JetBlue flights don't count toward status. Use JetBlue as a backup when they offer better schedules or pricing, knowing you'll earn base miles without status progress. If you're working toward Mosaic with JetBlue, flying United gives you both miles and status credit, making it more valuable than the reverse situation.

For award redemptions, always compare pricing between programs before booking. The partnership convenience might not be worth the premium if one program charges significantly more miles for the same flight. Check both airline websites and weigh the value based on your point balances and earning rates.

Consider the route networks strategically. United's extensive international coverage complements JetBlue's strong presence in the Caribbean and select transatlantic routes. If you're planning a Caribbean vacation from the Northeast, JetBlue might offer better nonstop options. For West Coast to Europe travel, United typically provides more frequency and routing choices.

The connecting flight integration arriving this spring will create interesting positioning opportunities. You might book a cheap JetBlue flight to a United hub, then connect to a long-haul international route on United while earning miles in one program throughout the journey.

Comparing to Other Airline Partnerships

The Blue Sky partnership sits somewhere between basic interline agreements and full alliance membership.

Unlike United's Star Alliance partnerships, the JetBlue tie-up doesn't include full status reciprocity or upgrade eligibility. You won't earn status credits flying JetBlue as a United loyalist, which limits its usefulness compared to flying Star Alliance carriers like Lufthansa or Air Canada.

JetBlue famously operates outside the major airline alliances, making this United partnership one of their most significant loyalty integrations. For JetBlue flyers, gaining access to United's massive network through this partnership partially compensates for the lack of alliance membership.

The partnership structure resembles Alaska Airlines' relationships with various carriers, where you get earning and redemption options without full alliance benefits. It expands your options without requiring you to split loyalty between programs.

What to Watch For

The partnership continues evolving, and several aspects deserve monitoring.

Award pricing could change as the airlines gather data on redemption patterns. If you find sweet spots in the current pricing, book them before potential devaluations. The airlines could adjust earning rates or add more route restrictions based on how travelers use the partnership.

JetBlue's upcoming domestic first class cabin, launching later in 2026, isn't included in current partnership details. Watch for announcements about whether United elites will access these premium seats and how MileagePlus miles might redeem for them.

The connecting flight integration represents the partnership's most complex technical component. Monitor the implementation for hiccups with baggage transfer, delay protection, and irregular operations. Understanding your rights when mixing carriers on a single ticket will become important once these itineraries launch.

FAQ

Can I earn United status by flying JetBlue?

No. United doesn't award Premier Qualifying Flights or Premier Qualifying Points on JetBlue flights, even though you earn redeemable MileagePlus miles. You must fly United or eligible Star Alliance partners to earn status credit.

Do United Club passes work on JetBlue flights?

No. The partnership doesn't include reciprocal lounge access. United Club passes only work in United Clubs, and JetBlue lounge access remains separate even for United elites.

Which program offers better value for award tickets?

It varies by route. Compare specific flights in both MileagePlus and TrueBlue before booking. Generally, booking awards directly with the operating airline's program provides better value than cross-booking through the partner.

Will I get free checked bags on both airlines?

By spring 2026, yes. Elite members will receive their checked bag allowances on both carriers. United co-branded credit cardholders will get free bags on United flights only, not JetBlue, unless you also have elite status.

Can I book connecting flights between United and JetBlue?

Not yet, but the airlines expect to launch connecting itineraries by spring 2026. Currently, you must book each segment separately, even if you want to fly both carriers on one trip.

Conclusion

The United-JetBlue Blue Sky partnership expansion offers genuine value for travelers who fly both airlines, particularly in regions where their networks complement each other. The ability to earn miles across both carriers and redeem awards more flexibly opens up routing options that weren't previously available.

However, the lack of status-qualifying credit on JetBlue flights for United loyalists remains a significant limitation. If you're chasing elite status, stick with United-operated flights or Star Alliance partners for your core flying. Use the JetBlue partnership opportunistically when they offer better schedules, pricing, or routes.

The spring 2026 rollout of elite benefits will make the partnership more valuable for status holders, though the absence of lounge access and upgrades keeps it from reaching full alliance-level integration. As connecting itineraries become available, the partnership should create new strategic opportunities for points collectors willing to mix and match carriers.

Keep monitoring your specific routes and redemption goals against both programs. The partnership works best when you remain flexible and compare options rather than defaulting to one airline or the other. With the right approach, you'll maximize both your earning and your award travel value.

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