JetBlue has joined the fleet, with new basic no-frills fares, to compete better with low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and Southwest, and with the no-frills tickets major carriers including Delta already offer.
JetBlue is calling its new bargain fares Blue Basic, and you basically get nothing but your seat and the airline’s free on-board entertainment available on every seat.
Is the new basic fare right for you? That depends.
JetBlue Basic Fare Restrictions
With the new Blue Basic fare, you board last, and you cannot reserve a seat until 24-hours before your flight.
That means you almost certainly will get the dreaded middle seat, and since you board last, there probably won’t be anymore overhead bin space for the carry-on you are still allowed, plus one personal item like a handbag or briefcase.
Also, you cannot change your flight once it is booked not even for a $150 change fee some airlines now charge. Simply, you have to buy a new ticket if you cannot use the basic one you already purchased. You forfeit it. Period.
And bare bottom fares get only one True Blue point per mile instead of the normal three for all other fares.
That’s for the rock bottom lowest fare.
Additional New JetBlue Fare Categories
JetBlue also is launching Blue Flex and Blue Extra, for those who need flexibility, which allow free changes and other perks, including early boarding.
Yet another category, Blue Plus, will be offered in limited international markets..
As with all fares, it’s complicated, and you have to spend either time or money to get the best deal.
Not all fare options will be available on all flights, and they’re subject to restrictions.
Like its competitors, JetBlue offers “bundled” fare categories where the price rises along with the number of options it includes, such as free carry-on bags, loyalty points, boarding position and more leg room.
Blue Basic fares are now on sale on high-traffic routes including Fort Lauderdale and Nassau, Bahamas, and are being rolled out to most of JetBlue’s network by the end of 2019.
Check the JetBlue website page with a comparison chart of what each new fare structure does or does not offer.
Happy travels!
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