Qatar Airways and JetBlue have a longstanding partnership, which up until now hasn’t included any opportunities for redemption.
However, it’s now possible to redeem Qatar Airways Avios for JetBlue flights, and there are some great new sweet spots, including business class flights to Europe.
JetBlue Now Bookable with Qatar Airways Avios
In an email sent out to Privilege Club members, Qatar Airways announced that JetBlue flights are now bookable with Qatar Airways Avios.
What’s particularly interesting about this expansion of the airlines’ partnership is that JetBlue flights have only been bookable through the TrueBlue program in the recent past, ever since JetBlue ended its relationship with American Airlines AAdvantage and Emirates Skywards.
JetBlue is based out of New York (JFK), and most of its flights are within the United States and to destinations across Central America and the Caribbean. The airline also operates a number of routes out of Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX).
From its New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS) hubs, you can find longer-haul flights to Europe and South America.
In Canada, JetBlue has flights scheduled from Vancouver (YVR) to New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS), which are currently its only Canadian routes.
The most intriguing part of this expanded partnership is increased access to award bookings in JetBlue’s business class cabin, which is officially known as Mint.
Mint is offered on a number of routes within the United States, to destinations across Central America and the Caribbean, and on flights to Europe.
Even if you don’t have a balance of Qatar Airways Avios, keep in mind that you can freely convert other flavours of Avios into Qatar Airways Avios.
Therefore, if you happen to have access to British Airways Avios, you can then convert your British Airways Avios into Qatar Airways Avios instantly.
Since British Airways Executive Club is a transfer partner with many transferable points currencies, you should have no problem accessing Qatar Airways Privilege Club, including during transfer bonus events.
New JetBlue Sweet Spots with Qatar Airways Avios
With JetBlue flights now available for booking with Qatar Airways Avios, there are a number of new sweet spots available.
In June 2023, Qatar Airways lowered award pricing for partner airlines. The number of Avios required for a partner airline is fixed, and based on the distance flown and the class of service.
All of JetBlue’s flights should fall within the first five rows, which means that you can book the following:
- Domestic flights within the US for 6,000–13,000 Avios in economy or 12,500–38,750 Avios in business class
- Flights from the US East Coast to the Caribbean for 11,000–13,000 Avios in economy, or 22,000–38,750 Avios in business class
- Flights from the US East Coast to Europe for 13,000–20,750 Avios in economy or 38,750–62,000 Avios in business class
Aside from attractive pricing across the board, the best part is that you’ll pay minimal taxes and fees for most JetBlue awards booked with Qatar Airways Avios.
For example, you can catch a flight from New York (JFK) to London (LHR) for 62,000 Avios plus $14 (CAD) in taxes and fees.
Coming back, you’ll pay the same amount of Avios; however, the taxes and fees amount to $445 (CAD), due to the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD).
However, you could look at flying back from another European hub to avoid the extra fees, perhaps by flying from Paris to New York (JFK) for 62,000 Avios plus $192.80 (CAD).
Flights between Boston and Dublin measure just shy of 3,000 miles, and you can book a flight in economy for just 13,000 Avios, or in business class for 38,750 Avios, again with minimal taxes and fees.
Award availability on international routes is quite good, and many dates have multiple seats available. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, be sure to consider routing through Boston or New York (JFK) to take advantage of the excellent award availability and pricing.
It’s worth noting that domestic award availability isn’t quite as bountiful, and the all-economy flights between Vancouver and New York (JFK) or Boston have very little availability.
Fortunately, booking JetBlue flights on Qatar Airways Privilege Club is quite easy. Simply enter in your origin and destination on the Privilege Club landing page, and then select “Book an award flight”.
If there’s award availability, you can simply select your JetBlue flight, and complete the booking process online.
If you have a subscription to ExpertFlyer, you can easily search for JetBlue award availability. Business class awards show under the “I” fare code, and economy awards show under the “P” fare code.
Conclusion
JetBlue flights are now bookable with Qatar Airways Avios, as the airlines have expanded on their longstanding partnership.
It’s easy to search for and book JetBlue flights on Qatar Airways Privilege Club, as you can complete everything online.
There are some great opportunities to book transatlantic flights in JetBlue Mint at great prices, as well as to a number of destinations in the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.
If you have any travels planned on routes that you can access JetBlue flights, be sure to check Qatar Airways Privilege Club for availability.
