Editorial take: JetBlue Plus Card
Strong East Coast card. The 5,000 anniversary points alone are worth ~$65 (more than half the fee), and the 10% redemption rebate keeps the rest of your TrueBlue stash compounding.
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Side-by-side
JetBlue Plus Card vs United Explorer Card
Both are airline travel cards. The JetBlue Plus Card comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | JetBlue Plus Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 points | 60,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $780 | $780 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Barclays | Chase |
| Card category | airline | airline |
| Best earning category (Jetblue) | 6x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | trueblue | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
JetBlue Plus Card
$99/yr · 60,000 points
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$95/yr · 60,000 miles
Editorial take: United Explorer Card
Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 60k bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, JetBlue Plus Card or United Explorer Card?
- The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $780. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
- Is the JetBlue Plus Card's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- At $99/yr, the JetBlue Plus Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the United Explorer Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the JetBlue Plus Card and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the JetBlue Plus Card or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. JetBlue Plus Card: $1,000 spend in 3 months. United Explorer Card: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.