JetBlue just made a big change to its award pricing, and it’s one that could save you a serious chunk of points—if you’re willing to play by their rules.
For the first time ever, you can now book Basic Economy (Blue Basic) fares using points. That means lower redemption rates on many routes, with some domestic flights costing as little as 700 points one-way.
Sounds amazing, right? Well… before you start booking, let’s talk about what this actually means for you.
What’s the Catch?
If you’ve ever booked Basic Economy before, you know it’s not all sunshine and cheap flights. JetBlue’s Blue Basic fares come with some major restrictions:
Seat selection isn’t included – You’ll be assigned a seat at check-in, so don’t count on that aisle or extra legroom.
Change and cancellation fees are steep – Unlike standard award tickets, you will pay penalties if you need to modify your plans.
You board last – If overhead bin space runs out, you might have to check your bag.
For some travelers, these trade-offs are a dealbreaker. But if all you care about is getting from A to B for the fewest points possible, this could be a game-changer.
How to Find the Cheapest JetBlue Award Flights
Right now, the lowest redemption rates seem to be popping up on short-haul domestic routes. Some of the best deals we’ve seen include:
Charleston (CHS) → New York (JFK) for 700 points
Nashville (BNA) → New York (JFK) for 700 points
That’s fewer points than some people spend on a cup of airport coffee.
But the real savings show up on longer routes, especially international flights.
Biggest Savings on International Routes
If you’re flying between the East Coast and Europe, the new award pricing could save you thousands of points per ticket.
Take JetBlue’s Boston (BOS) → Dublin (DUB) route as an example. Normally, you’d need 39,000 points for a one-way flight in economy. But with Blue Basic, you can now book the same flight for 33,000 points—a 6,000-point discount.
That might not seem like much, but if you’re booking for multiple people or round-trip tickets, the savings add up quickly. Plus, 6,000 points could be enough for an entire short-haul flight within the U.S.—which means you’re essentially getting an extra trip for free.
Is It Worth It?
The ability to book Basic Economy fares with points is a great option if you’re focused on maximizing value. But it’s not for everyone.
Here’s who should jump on this:
✔️ You’re flexible with your seat assignment
✔️ You’re confident in your travel plans (no changes or cancellations)
✔️ You want to stretch your points as far as possible
And here’s who might want to pass:
❌ You like picking your seat ahead of time
❌ You want the ability to change or cancel without big fees
❌ You travel with a lot of luggage and need early boarding
At the end of the day, this is all about trade-offs. If you’re okay with the restrictions, you can book JetBlue flights for significantly fewer points than before.
But like all good deals, these fares won’t last forever. So if you see a route that works for you, grab it while you can.
