How to get free checked bags on JetBlue (2020 guide)

How do I get a free checked bag on JetBlue?

Free checked baggage on JetBlue can save you $70 to $160 per person on a round-trip flight. According to JetBlue, you can buy a Blue Plus fare for one free checked bag and a Mint fare for two free checked bags. You can also can get complimentary checked baggage as JetBlue Plus cardholder or with TrueBlue Mosaic status. Checked bags can’t exceed 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in overall dimensions.

Here are more details on ways to get a JetBlue free checked bag.

• Get a JetBlue credit card.
  The airline has three credit cards. Two of them let you and up to three companions on the same reservation check one bag free each.
• Get a credit card that offers travel credits.
  Some cards offer annual travel statement credits you can use to offset baggage fees. You’ll typically pay annual fees for these cards.
• Purchase a Blue Plus or Mint fare.
  Blue Plus comes with one free checked bag. Mint includes two complimentary checked bags.
• Become a TrueBlue Mosaic member.
  JetBlue’s loyalty program has an elite tier — Mosaic — that lets you check your first and second bag free on each flight.
• Get free bags as a member of the military.
  If you’re an active US military member and you’re traveling for duty, you and your dependents on the same itinerary can each check five bags free. If you’re on active duty and you’re traveling for leisure, you and your dependents on the same itinerary can each check two bags free.

Guide to JetBlue TrueBlue rewards program

Is JetBlue checked baggage free?

This depends on which fare you purchase. Blue Basic, Blue and Blue Extra fares do not come with free checked baggage. However, Blue Plus offers one free checked bag, and Mint offers two free checked bags.

Without a qualifying fare, specific JetBlue card, Mosaic status or membership in the military, you’ll pay $35 for your first bag, $45 for your second bag and $150 for three or more bags.

How much does it normally cost to check a bag on JetBlue?

The following rates are for bags within 50 pounds and 62 inches in combined length, width and height. You’ll pay extra if your bags exceed these measurements.

Data obtained June 1, 2020. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

How to get a free checked bag with a JetBlue credit card

JetBlue has three credit cards: the JetBlue Card, JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card.

The JetBlue Card — the entry-level product — doesn’t come with free checked baggage. But the two other cards do.

• See more: JetBlue Plus Card benefits

  • Annual fee: $99.
  • Signup bonus.
    Get 40,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days and pay the annual fee.
  • Rewards.
    Earn 6x points on JetBlue purchases; 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores; 1x points on all other purchases.
  • Anniversary bonus.
    Earn 5,000 points every year after your account anniversary.
  • Checked-bag benefit.
    Free first checked bag for you and up to three companions on the same reservation on each JetBlue flight. Use your JetBlue Plus Card to purchase your flight.
  • Earn Mosaic status.
    Spend $50,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year with your card, and you’ll reach Mosaic tier in the TrueBlue program.
  • Inflight savings.
    Receive 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
    You won’t pay additional fees on purchases made abroad or through foreign websites.
  • Vacations package benefit.
    Every year, you’ll receive a $100 statement credit after you buy a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.

  The JetBlue Business Card is very similar. There’s a slight difference in rewards: For the 2x-point tier, the bonus categories are restaurants and office supply stores.

Our pick for free checked bags on another airline

United℠ Explorer Card

• $0 first-year intro annual fee, then $95.
• Signup bonus: 60,000 miles after you make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• 2x miles on United purchases, hotel stays and restaurant purchases.
• Credit every four years for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• 25% back as statement credit on United inflight purchases. Plus, priority boarding and your first checked bag free on United-operated flights.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each card anniversary.

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Compare credit cards that offer free checked bags on JetBlue

If you don’t want a JetBlue credit card, consider a card that offers annual travel credits. Simply pay for your JetBlue baggage fees, and you’ll later receive a statement credit for the charges.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $1,000 through Chase Ultimate Rewards	5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95		This popular travel card's signup bonus is worth up to $1,000. Get even more value out of your travel, dining, and Lyft rewards by transferring them to miles.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Reserve®		50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases	$550		Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com		See terms	See terms	See terms		Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
JetBlue Card		10,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days	3x points on JetBlue, 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases	$0		Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
JetBlue Plus Card		40,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days	6x points on JetBlue, 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1x points on everything else	$99		Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express® Gold Card		35,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	3x points on directly-booked flights; 4x at restaurants; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points)	$250		Earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Freedom Flex℠		$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year	5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases	$0		This no-annual-fee cashback card is one of the most valuable on the market. It boasts a huge signup bonus and up to 5% cashback in multiple purchase categories.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card		$500 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	5% at office supply stores, on Internet, cable and phone up to $25,000 combined annually (then 1%), 2% on gas and dining up to $25,000 combined annually then 1% after that and on all other purchases	$0		$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card		100,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months	3x points on the first $150,000 on travel and select business categories annually, then 1x after and on all other purchases	$95		100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. That's $1,250 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card		$500 back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	1.5% cash back on all purchases	$0		$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

There are a few ways to avoid the checked baggage fee on JetBlue flights. Reaching Mosaic status in the TrueBlue program gives you the most free checked bags. But if you want the baggage perk right away, consider a JetBlue credit card.

If you’re not sure a JetBlue card is right for you, you might like another airline credit card.

Frequently asked questions

• How much will I usually pay to check a bag on other airlines?

  You’ll typically pay around $30 for your first checked bag and around $40 for your second checked bag. For each additional bag, you’ll likely pay $100 or more.

• How much will I pay if my bag is overweight?

  If your bag is 51 to 99 pounds, the fee is $150. JetBlue won’t accept bags over 99 pounds.

• How much will I pay if my bag is oversized?

  If your bag has total measurements of 63 to 80 inches, the fee is $150. JetBlue won’t accept bags exceeding those measurements.

• What happens if my bag is overweight and oversized?

  Both the overweight and oversized fees will apply.

Pictures: Getty Images