Chase Freedom Unlimited vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1121", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "80,000 Bonus Points"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down the key reasons why the JetBlue Plus Card stands out.

‍

• The card offers strong reward rates on JetBlue purchases, as well as at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions, anniversary bonus points, and in-flight savings.
• Checking a bag on just two round-trip flights per year can save you more than the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Enjoy a free first checked bag for yourself and up to three companions on JetBlue flights, plus receive significant savings on in-flight purchases.
• Earn a high rate of points on JetBlue purchases and on common spending categories like dining and groceries.
• Receive an annual bonus of TrueBlue points and get a percentage of your points back every time you redeem for a flight, increasing the value of your rewards.

‍

Cons

‍

• Lacks premium travel benefits commonly found on other travel cards, such as airport lounge access, priority boarding, or credits for expedited security screening programs.
• Key benefits and rewards are heavily tied to the JetBlue ecosystem, offering limited flexibility for those who are not loyal to the airline or who do not book vacation packages.

JetBlue Plus vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited® or JetBlue Plus, it's crucial to recognize that each card is designed for a very different type of consumer.

‍

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is best for everyday spenders and those new to rewards who want a straightforward way to earn cash back on purchases without tracking complex categories.
• JetBlue Plus Card is built for frequent JetBlue travelers who want to earn points and enjoy airline-specific perks to enhance their travel experience.

‍

Redemption

‍

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as cash back, offering simple redemptions for statement credits or direct deposits, but they can also be used for travel through the Chase portal.

‍

JetBlue Plus Card: Points are redeemed primarily within the JetBlue ecosystem for award flights, with options to cover the cost of JetBlue Vacations packages as well.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While not a dedicated travel card, points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal. It does have a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel, and does not offer airline-specific perks like free checked bags or lounge access.
• JetBlue Plus Card: The card is deeply integrated into the JetBlue ecosystem, offering no foreign transaction fees. Key perks include a free first checked bag for the cardholder and companions on the same booking, savings on in-flight purchases, an annual statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package, and a path to earning elite Mosaic status through spending.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards by analyzing your own spending habits to find the perfect match.

‍

• Test drive a credit card: Simulate how much you would earn with a new card using your actual spending data—all before you apply and without affecting your credit score.
• Get personalized recommendations: The platform analyzes your spending to match you with the cards that will earn you the most rewards.
• Check your approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of getting approved for different cards.
• Unlock exclusive rewards: Joining gives you access to incentives like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ bonus and a welcome offer guarantee.
• Earn more with Kudos Boost: Get additional rewards on top of your regular credit card earnings when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

‍

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who prefer a straightforward rewards structure over tracking rotating categories. It's also well-suited for those new to credit card rewards or anyone seeking valuable benefits like purchase protection without the burden of an annual fee. Additionally, savvy Chase customers can pair it with a premium card to maximize the value of their Ultimate Rewards® points, a strategy detailed in our comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

‍

The JetBlue Plus Card is tailored for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want to unlock valuable perks without committing to a high annual fee. It's an ideal fit for travelers who fly the airline a few times a year and can take advantage of benefits like a free first checked bag and 5,000 anniversary bonus points. For this type of flyer, the card's benefits can easily outweigh the $99 annual fee, making it a strong contender in any JetBlue card comparison.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. JetBlue Plus Card comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet? No problem—plenty of other excellent rewards cards are out there that might be a better fit.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2883", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["No Annual Fee", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check Your Credit: Ensure you have a good to excellent credit score, as this is a common requirement for premium cards.
• Plan Your Spending: Create a realistic spending plan to meet any welcome offer requirements without forcing unnecessary purchases.
• Know the Rules: Review the issuer’s application restrictions, as some treat cards as part of a product family, which can affect bonus eligibility.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time Your Application: Apply before a planned large purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Consider Card Pairings: Evaluate how a new card can complement others in your wallet to maximize rewards across an ecosystem.
• Understand Issuer Nuances: Be aware that some issuers treat cards within the same family as one product, which can impact bonus eligibility.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to JetBlue?

‍

Yes, but indirectly. Points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be transferred to JetBlue's TrueBlue program if you also hold a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

‍

Is the JetBlue Plus Card worth its annual fee?

‍

The JetBlue Plus Card can be well worth its annual fee for frequent JetBlue flyers who can take full advantage of benefits like free checked bags and anniversary bonus points. If you rarely fly with the airline, you might find it harder to offset the cost.

‍

Which card is better for everyday spending?

‍

For general, everyday spending, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® often comes out ahead due to its flexible rewards on all purchases. The JetBlue Plus Card's earning rates are more specialized, primarily rewarding spending on JetBlue flights, at restaurants, and at grocery stores.

‍