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Want the story and timeline of the JetBlue and United partnership? Check out our overview of the JetBlue & United Blue Sky Partnership. We’ve got the history and all the main points covered there. This article is all about what’s happening now, how you can use it, and if it’s actually worth it.
JetBlue and United have flipped the switch on the first major Blue Sky benefit: reciprocal earning and redeeming. Effective now, TrueBlue members can earn and redeem on United (including United Express), and MileagePlus members can earn and redeem on JetBlue (most routes). When you search with points/miles on either site or app, you’ll start seeing partner options alongside the home carrier’s flights.
JetBlue’s press release also teased what was coming next — and both have since arrived: broader cash booking on either site launched February 10, 2026, and reciprocal perks like priority boarding, preferred/extra-legroom seating, and same-day changes/standby switched on May 14, 2026.
Update (September 2026): Both items this article originally flagged as “not live yet” have since launched. See our full rundown of the reciprocal perks and the partnership overview for current details. The earning-and-redeeming mechanics below are still accurate.
How Earning Works
TrueBlue → United flights: Enter your TrueBlue number when booking United-operated flights on united.com. Points (and tiles) accrue per JetBlue rules once travel is flown.
MileagePlus → JetBlue flights: Enter your MileagePlus number when booking JetBlue-operated flights on jetblue.com; miles post under United’s rules. Note: a small number of JetBlue routes are not eligible for MileagePlus accrual (United flags this in a footnote). Available earning options appear during booking.
If you don’t see the partner earn option on a specific flight, try toggling to the operating carrier’s site and confirm the loyalty number field is set correctly.
How Redeeming Works
Redeem in your “home” program:
TrueBlue members: Search United awards from jetblue.com by selecting “Points”; partner options will surface in the results.
MileagePlus members: Search JetBlue awards from united.com by selecting “Book with miles.”
Redemption seats are capacity-controlled; availability will be limited on peak flights.
Early pricing check: First-day tests from multiple outlets report that many partner awards are pricing high versus cash or other programs. Expect to see some decent use cases but also plenty of “hard pass” results; always compare before you burn points.
What’s Missing (for Now): Things To Watch Out For
- Update: Elite perks are no longer missing — priority boarding, extra-legroom seating, a free checked bag, and same-day standby all went live for both programs on May 14, 2026.
- Keep in mind that you can’t always collect or use United miles on certain JetBlue routes. United has a list of these. If a flight isn’t showing up as an option to use miles, that’s probably why.
- Using miles might be expensive. People are saying that some award prices aren’t a great deal.
- Update: Buying either airline’s flights on either site went live February 10, 2026. What’s still missing: a single connected ticket that combines a JetBlue leg and a United leg with through-checked baggage in one booking — that’s still not available as of September 2026.
Is It Worth It Right Now?
Maybe. If you have a bunch of JetBlue points and want to go somewhere United flies (but JetBlue doesn’t), or the other way around, then this opens up new possibilities. That’s a good thing! Just be aware that prices don’t seem consistent at the start. The best way to think of it is as another option: check Blue Sky partner awards when you’re shopping for flights, but don’t be afraid to go with cash, a different rewards program, or a different travel date if it makes more sense financially.
