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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better in 2026?
July 1, 2025

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Editor's Picks
These two cards have similar annual fees but very different strengths. The Sapphire Preferred earns flexible Chase points you can use with many airlines and hotels, including JetBlue, while the JetBlue Plus focuses on perks for people who fly JetBlue regularly.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for flexible travel rewards on dining, gas, streaming, online groceries, and travel, with a $95 annual fee.
- The JetBlue Plus Card is our pick for frequent JetBlue flyers who want 6X points on JetBlue purchases and a free first checked bag for themselves and up to three companions, with a $99 annual fee.
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Kudos. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Breakdown
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The Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on Chase Travel℠ purchases; 3x on dining, gas stations, EV charging, vacation homes at top brands, top streaming services, and online grocery (exclusions apply); 2x on all other travel; and 1x on everything else.
Pros
- Points transfer to Chase's airline and hotel partners, including JetBlue TrueBlue, United MileagePlus®, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, and World of Hyatt®.
- Up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel.
- Travel protections including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and primary auto rental coverage.
- A complimentary DashPass membership when activated by December 31, 2029.
Cons
- The $95 annual fee may not pay off for people who rarely travel.
- No airport lounge access.
- The hotel credit only applies to stays booked through Chase Travel.
JetBlue Plus Breakdown
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The JetBlue Plus Card earns 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1X on all other purchases. The annual fee is $99.
Pros
- Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to three eligible companions on the same itinerary on JetBlue-operated flights.
- 5,000 bonus points each year after your account anniversary, and 10% of your points back after you redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight.
- 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Purchases help you earn toward JetBlue Mosaic status.
Cons
- No airport lounge access.
- Most benefits apply only to JetBlue-operated flights, not codeshare or partner flights.
- Its $100 annual statement credit only applies to a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Kudos. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Plus vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Better?
Earning
The Sapphire Preferred earns more on everyday categories like dining, gas, streaming, and online groceries. The JetBlue Plus earns more on JetBlue purchases, with 6X versus the Sapphire Preferred's 2x on general travel.
Redemption
Sapphire Preferred points can be used through Chase Travel, redeemed for cash back, or transferred to partners. JetBlue Plus points are TrueBlue points, best used for JetBlue award flights, and Points Payback lets you redeem them for a statement credit.
Travel Perks
- Checked bags: The JetBlue Plus gives a free first checked bag to you and up to three companions on JetBlue-operated flights. The Sapphire Preferred doesn't include free bags.
- Lounge access: Neither card includes airport lounge access.
- Foreign transaction fees: Neither card charges them.
- Protections: The Sapphire Preferred includes a broad set of travel insurance benefits, including primary auto rental coverage.
Compare Cards With Kudos
Kudos lets you compare travel cards side by side in the card explorer and test drive a card against your real spending before you apply.
If you carry both cards, Kudos can autofill your best card at checkout so JetBlue tickets go on the JetBlue Plus and dinners go on the Sapphire Preferred.
With Kudos Premium, the Benefits Tracker shows the credits and perks on both cards in one place, including how much you've used, what's left and how to redeem each one. Its annual fee vs. value comparison helps you see whether each card is still worth keeping.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card fits travelers who want rewards they can use across many airlines and hotels, and who spend regularly on dining, gas, and streaming. Because JetBlue TrueBlue is a Chase transfer partner, it can still work well for people who fly JetBlue some of the time.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review for more detail.
Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?
The JetBlue Plus Card fits people who fly JetBlue a few times a year and check bags. The free first checked bag for you and up to three companions can add up quickly on family trips, and the 5,000 anniversary bonus points help offset the annual fee.
Comparing JetBlue cards? See our breakdown of JetBlue Plus vs JetBlue Premier.
Alternatives to Consider
If neither card fits, these two travel cards are worth comparing.
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 8x on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x on dining, with a $300 annual travel credit and airport lounge access.
- The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card earns 5X points on hotels, 4X on airlines, 3X on restaurants and other travel, and 1X on other purchases, with a $95 annual fee.
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Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has been collected independently by Kudos. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit. Travel rewards cards are generally designed for applicants with good to excellent credit.
- Review the welcome offer. Confirm the current spend requirement and timeframe on the issuer's page. The JetBlue Plus offer also requires paying the annual fee within a set period.
- Have a spending plan. Make sure you can meet the requirement with normal purchases.
Application Strategy
- Know Chase's rules. Chase says the Sapphire Preferred bonus may not be available if you previously held the card or received its bonus, and it may consider how many cards you've opened recently. See our guide to the Chase 5/24 rule.
- Time your application. Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
Our Methodology
Kudos evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market, far more than the roughly 150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. The goal is a complete, unbiased view of the market so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team verifies card terms against issuer sources. You can also explore the full dataset yourself in the Kudos card explorer, which includes thousands of cards, more than 95% of which do not pay us commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Card Is Better for Flying Airlines Other Than JetBlue?
The Sapphire Preferred. Its points can be used through Chase Travel or transferred to several airline and hotel partners, while JetBlue Plus benefits are built around JetBlue-operated flights.
Can I Transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred Points to JetBlue?
Yes. JetBlue TrueBlue is one of Chase's airline transfer partners, so you can move Sapphire Preferred points into your TrueBlue account.
Does the JetBlue Plus Card Offer Benefits on Other Airlines?
Its free checked bag and inflight savings apply only to JetBlue-operated flights. Codeshare flights and flights operated by partner airlines aren't eligible.
Does Either Card Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?
No. Neither the Sapphire Preferred nor the JetBlue Plus charges foreign transaction fees.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


















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