JetBlue and Emirates Are Ending Their Mileage Partnership

Just over a year after expanding their partnership, JetBlue and Emirates are now terminating it completely. The change goes into effect Oct. 30, 2022, when travelers will no longer be able to earn reciprocal miles or use Emirates Skywards miles to book JetBlue flights.

Here's what you need to know about the end of the JetBlue and Emirates partnership, what you need to do before their reciprocal perks expire and what your alternatives are after October.

The JetBlue and Emirates mileage partnership dates back over a decade. The two unlikely partners announced reciprocal mileage earnings as of July 1, 2012. Since then, JetBlue flyers have been able to earn TrueBlue points on Emirates flights, while Emirates loyalists could earn Skywards miles when flying JetBlue. Emirates Skywards mileage redemptions on JetBlue flights were added shortly after that.

The JetBlue and Emirates mileage partnership didn't see a notable change until July 2021, when Emirates added JetBlue Mint redemptions.

Trouble started brewing in July 2022 when Emirates Skywards members reported being unable to redeem Skywards miles for JetBlue Mint. JetBlue remained listed as a partner redemption option on Emirates’ website, but members couldn't book award flights through the website or phone.

Now, on Sept. 7, 2022, both JetBlue and Emirates reported the end of their mileage partnership.

Next, let's review how earning and redeeming miles works before the partnership ends on Oct. 30, 2022.

As with any separation, there are plenty of details to iron out. Here's what you need to know, broken down by mileage program.

Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards members can continue to earn miles on JetBlue flights booked through Oct. 29, 2022. If you forget to list your Skywards number in the booking, you will have 180 days to claim the mileage credit.

Skywards members that booked an award ticket on JetBlue by Sept. 6, 2022, can still travel on that award ticket — even if the travel date is after Oct. 29, 2022. However, for any new redemptions made on or after Sept. 7, 2022, you must complete travel by Oct. 29, 2022 to earn Skywards miles on JetBlue flights.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue TrueBlue members can still earn points on Emirates flights booked through Oct. 29, 2022. But, you won't have the option to earn TrueBlue points on bookings made after Oct. 30.

JetBlue doesn't currently allow mileage redemptions on Emirates award flights.

Emirates provided a solid option for redeeming miles for JetBlue flights — especially on some Mint routes. While that redemption option is going away soon, you have other options for redeeming miles for JetBlue awards.

JetBlue isn't a member of a major airline alliance. Instead, JetBlue has developed one-off partnerships with various airlines. Of these partnerships, only two include mileage redemptions on JetBlue flights: American Airlines AAdvantage and Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles.

American Airlines AAdvantage awards on JetBlue are priced based on American Airlines' partner award chart. One-way AAdvantage awards in JetBlue economy cost:

• 12,500 miles for domestic flights.

• 17,500 miles for flights to the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America.

• 20,000 miles to northern South America.

Unfortunately, American prices JetBlue Mint as a first class product instead of business class. That means you'll have to pay 52,500 AAdvantage miles for Mint awards to the Caribbean and Central America and up to 65,000 AAdvantage miles for domestic Mint awards.

Meanwhile, HawaiianMiles redemptions are based on the fare of the JetBlue flight. Here's the Hawaiian award mileage chart for JetBlue flights:

JetBlue TrueBlue already didn't allow redemptions on Emirates award flights. So, mileage collectors won't be losing yet another way to redeem miles for Emirates awards — which has been a theme of the past few years. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Emirates Skywards ended their partnership on July 31, 2021, and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank slashed Emirates first class awards as of Sept. 1, 2021.

After all of these cuts, mileage collectors only have a few ways to book award flights in Emirates first class — of these, the Emirates Skywards and Qantas Frequent Flyer programs are the top choices for most travelers.

That said, Emirates economy and business class awards can be booked via other airline mileage programs. Partners include Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, Korean Airlines Skypass and TAP Portugal Miles&Go.

Just a little over a year after expanding their partnership, JetBlue and Emirates are calling it quits. JetBlue TrueBlue and Emirates Skywards members will no longer be able to earn reciprocal miles on flights booked after Oct. 29, 2022.

Also, you can longer redeem Skywards miles for JetBlue award flights flown after Oct. 29, 2022 — although existing Skywards awards will still be honored. If you're looking for alternatives to book JetBlue award flights, consider booking awards through American Airlines AAdvantage or Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles.

Photo courtesy of JetBlue.