The Guide to JetBlue Blue Fares

Picture this: You seek to buy a JetBlue Airways ticket and see multiple fare types listed as options; Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint. Are they all different classes of service? Or are they just economy tickets with some minor extras included? How do you sift through the options?

In short, Mint is JetBlue's premium option, while Blue fares will get you a standard economy seat and are one step above Blue Basic, JetBlue's basic economy fare. The experience won't blow you away, but you will have access to some perks that a basic economy seat doesn't offer.

Let's explore what JetBlue Blue seats include, booking a Blue ticket and how it's different from other JetBlue fares.

So, what does a JetBlue Blue ticket offer? Here's what to expect when booking this standard economy class ticket.

• Bag allowance: Passengers with a JetBlue Blue ticket receive one free checked bag on flights to London, with a second bag costing $105. Those on U.S. domestic flights or flights to Latin America or the Caribbean will have to pay $35 for the first piece of luggage and $50 for the second. Fees increase by $10 for bags added to the reservation within 24 hours of departure A Blue fare on JetBlue also includes a free carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin.

• Seats: A seat selection is included with a Blue fare. The seat pitch ranges from 32 to 34 inches, depending on the aircraft.

• Lounges: JetBlue doesn't operate any airport lounges, but if you have a Priority Pass Select membership through a credit card, you can enter one of those lounges with a same-day JetBlue ticket.

• Entertainment: JetBlue is the only U.S. airline with a screen at every seat, which is just one of the reasons it ranked number one in NerdWallet's survey of best airline entertainment. All passengers have access to movies and live TV, and on-demand TV shows are available on planes equipped with a touchscreen. JetBlue also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi on all aircraft for all passengers.

• Food and beverages: Economy passengers are served complimentary in-flight snacks and hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages. Wine, beer and spirits are available for purchase for those who are at least 21. For those flying Blue fares to London, you'll receive a build-your-own hot meal and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

• Rewards earnings: If you book a JetBlue Blue ticket, you'll earn 3 TrueBlue points for every dollar spent on the base fare, plus another 3 TrueBlue points per dollar if you book the flight on JetBlue's website. Mosaic elite members and co-branded credit card holders multiply their points earnings ever further.

In addition to Blue and Blue Basic, two other JetBlue economy fares are available — Blue Extra and Blue Plus. Here's what these fares provide compared with other JetBlue economy tickets.

The main difference between JetBlue Blue and Blue Extra is free same-day flight changes, early boarding privileges and priority security screening.

For example, if you'd like to switch your Blue ticket to another same-day flight (both confirmed and standby), you have to pay $75. With Blue Extra, the change is included in the price. Additionally, you'll get early boarding privileges and Even More Speed, allowing you access to a faster security lane at select airports.

Aside from that, you get the same number of carry-on and checked bags, pay no cancellation or change fees, and earn rewards at the same rate on both fares.

» Learn more: JetBlue sweet spots

Blue Basic and Blue Plus are both economy-class fares, but they're on different ends of the spectrum.

As the name suggests, Blue Basic offers very few amenities. Nevertheless, here's what you can expect from a JetBlue Blue Basic fare:

• A personal item is allowed, but it must fit under the seat in front of you.

• Carry-on bags aren't allowed (except on flights to and from London).

• Checked bags aren't included.

• $100 to $200 change or cancellation fee.

• $75 fee for same-day switches (confirmed or standby).

• Fee for advance seat selection.

• Last group to board.

• Earns 1 TrueBlue point per dollar spent on base fare.

A JetBlue Blue Plus fare is a step above a Blue fare and includes the following:

• One free carry-on bag.

• One free checked bag.

• Free changes or cancellations.

• $75 fee for same-day switches (confirmed or standby).

• Complimentary advance seat selection.

• General boarding group.

• Earns 3 True Blue points per dollar spent on base fare.

» Learn more: How to get the most value out of JetBlue points

Booking a Blue fare ticket with JetBlue is pretty straightforward. First, go to JetBlue.com and enter your airports, departure and return dates and the number of travelers. Then search for flights.

You'll be presented with the Blue Basic fare when the flight search results are displayed. On the left side, change your selection to Blue, and a new set of flights will appear. Select your preferred option.

Once you select the return flight, a popup with the upsell to a Blue Extra fare will appear. Click on "Select Blue" to stick with your original choice or switch to Blue Extra if you want access to a few extra perks.

Complete your purchase and check your email for a flight confirmation.

If you want to redeem your JetBlue TrueBlue points toward a flight, note that the Blue fare is the default fare — Blue Basic tickets aren't available on award redemptions.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on JetBlue

With all the different fare classes available, here are three ways to get better value out of a JetBlue Blue booking.

Take advantage of credit card perks

If you hold the JetBlue Plus Card and use it to pay for your flight, you and up to three of your companions booked together can check a bag for free. If everyone in your party of four checks one piece of luggage, that could save up to $280 on a round-trip journey.

Additionally, JetBlue Plus Card cardholders earn 6 TrueBlue points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, meaning your rewards add up faster. But it's not the only JetBlue card out there:

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Redeem True Blue points to avoid basic economy

Because award redemptions book you into a Blue fare at minimum, you'd avoid booking a basic economy ticket, which comes with restrictions such as no carry-on bags, fees for changes and cancellations and a paid seat selection.

NerdWallet's baseline value for JetBlue TrueBlue points is 1.5 cents apiece, so you know you're getting a decent value for your points every time you redeem them for a Blue fare.

» Learn more: How to redeem JetBlue points

Travel off-peak to save miles

JetBlue TrueBlue points have a fixed value, more or less, and the points are tied to a cash price. The more expensive the ticket, the more points you need for an award flight. For this reason, you can save miles by flying on dates when airfare is less expensive.

For example, weekdays usually cost less than weekends, and spring break dates are priced higher than a regular week. In other words, the less demand, the more points you can save.

The JetBlue Blue fare is the name for a regular economy seat on JetBlue planes. It's the lowest class of service you can book with TrueBlue points, but it comes with a free carry-on bag, free seat selection, and no fees for changes and cancellations.

Featured image courtesy of JetBlue Airways.