Jaunted

In trying to redeem two TrueBlue award flights over the last few days here are the issues we ran into:

No Phone Service
Granted, we had a blizzard here on the east coast, but is that any reason to stop answering your phone? Nine out of ten times when trying to phone JetBlue between Sunday February 12 and Monday February 13 a robotic voice told us due to high call volume we needed to visit the website, and hung up on us.

Since you can't redeem TrueBlue flights online we were forced to wait. Once we got through to JetBlue we were put on hold for over thirty minutes before we could finally talk to a person. It took multiple conversations with multiple representatives over two days for us to find out the TrueBlue truth.

The TrueBlue Truth
Since we received so much conflicting information on TrueBlue over the last couple of months, we figured we should share what we found out with you.
·100 points earns you a free flight.

·Points are earned in segments, which don't really equate to miles at all, making it a bit more difficult to earn a free flight on JetBlue.

·Once you earn 100 points you earn a free flight.  You have one year from that date to use said flight, or you forfeit the flight.

·An undisclosed number of seats are set aside on each flight for TrueBlue rewards. However, once these seats are filled your TrueBlue award will do you no good.  You will either have to rearrange your dates and find a flight with TrueBlue availability, or pay the listed price for your flight.  Just like every other frequent flier program.

·Once TrueBlue tickets are reserved you can not change the names of the people traveling.

·Once TrueBlue tickets are reserved you can change your flight location and times for $30 (each time you change).

·Once TrueBlue tickets are reserved if you cancel your flight, you forfeit your award.

·In order to reserve your TrueBlue award you will need to do so by phone. First, you will need to tell a JetBlue representative exactly what your travel plans are. Next, you will be transfered to TrueBlue representative who will ask you the exact same questions--yeah--it is just like calling Comcast. Finally, you will need to tell the TrueBlue rep your "awards number" in order unlock your award. Oh, and you can only get this number--wait for it--online.

The pros? JetBlue does have a couple international destinations, which you can get to by redeeming a TrueBlue flight--but not without coughing up a $50+ "airport security fee".

Here are a couple other JetBlue ate my baby stories.

What is the bottom line here?  JetBlue is just another airline.  Granted they are an airline with Direct TV, and we still love that.  However, if you are expecting a different, more rewarding frequent flier experience you are in for a surprise.

Have you had better experiences?  Worse?  Let us know, will ya?

Related Stories
·   Is Jet Blue Starting to Suck? [Jaunted]
·   True Blue FAQ [JetBlue]