JetBlue and United Blue Sky Partnership 2026: How to Use Credit Card Points for Hawaii Flights
JetBlue and United Airlines just rolled out a major expansion of their Blue Sky partnership, allowing travelers to purchase eligible itineraries operated by either airline directly through JetBlue.com, United.com, and each airline's mobile app. This could significantly impact how you earn and use the credit card points we help you accumulate for your Hawaii travel.
What Changed This Week? Book Flights with TrueBlue Points or MileagePlus Miles
For the first time, customers can book flights on either airline using cash, points, or miles, opening up unprecedented flexibility for maximizing your credit card rewards strategy.
Here's what you can now do:
Book United Flights with JetBlue TrueBlue Points: When searching on JetBlue's platforms, you'll see both JetBlue and United flight options, and you can use your TrueBlue points for either carrier.
Book JetBlue Flights with United MileagePlus Miles: The same goes for United's website—search for flights and redeem MileagePlus miles on both United and JetBlue flights.
More Route Options to Hawaii: JetBlue's strong leisure market presence on the West Coast combined with United's massive Hawaii network means more flexibility getting to and from the islands.
JetBlue flights appearing on United’s Search Engine
Why Hawaii Travelers Should Care About This Partnership
United's Massive Hawaii Network
United has over 75 years of service to Hawaii and operates flights from eight different U.S. airports including locations on both coasts, making it one of the largest carriers to the islands. United flies to:
Honolulu (HNL)
Maui/Kahului (OGG)
Kauai/Lihue (LIH)
Kona (KOA)
Hilo (ITO)
Key Hawaii departure cities for United:
Los Angeles (LAX)
San Francisco (SFO)
Orange County (SNA)
Denver (DEN)
Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Newark (EWR)
Washington Dulles (IAD)
JetBlue's West Coast Strength
While JetBlue doesn't fly to Hawaii directly, their strong presence in West Coast cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, and San Diego means easier connections and now the ability to use TrueBlue points on United's direct Hawaii flights.
United Flights showing up on Jetblue’s Search Engine
How to Maximize Credit Card Points for Hawaii Travel
1. Chase Ultimate Rewards Strategy (Best for United Access)
The opportunity: Ultimate Rewards transfer 1:1 to United MileagePlus, which now gives you access to both United AND JetBlue's networks. This is huge for maximizing redemption flexibility on Hawaii routes.
2. Citi ThankYou Points Strategy
The opportunity: ThankYou Points transfer 1:1 to JetBlue TrueBlue, which now provides access to United's extensive Hawaii network plus their international routes.
3. Capital One Miles Strategy
The opportunity: Capital One miles transfer to JetBlue TrueBlue, giving you indirect access to United's Hawaii flights at potentially better value than transferring to other partners.
4. American Express Strategy (Indirect Access)
While Amex Membership Rewards don't transfer to United or JetBlue for consumer cards, the expanded route options mean better award availability when you transfer to other Star Alliance partners like Avianca LifeMiles or Singapore KrisFlyer to book United flights.
We earn a small commission from credit card referrals, which helps support Hawaii Reward Travel. If you’d like to apply or have questions about any cards mentioned above, email us here.
Blue Sky Partnership: Earning Points and Miles
JetBlue TrueBlue Members Flying United
If you're a JetBlue loyalist flying on United, your TrueBlue earnings start at 5 points per $1, down from 6 points per $1 on JetBlue-operated flights. TrueBlue members can also earn tiles toward Mosaic status on United flights.
United MileagePlus Members Flying JetBlue
If you're a United loyalist flying on JetBlue, your MileagePlus earnings start at 5 miles per $1 with standard bonuses for Premier elites. This is roughly in line with what you'd get on a United-operated flight.
Important limitation: MileagePlus members will not earn Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) or Points (PQPs) toward status on JetBlue flights, a key downside for status chasers.
Coming Soon: More Benefits in Spring 2026
Reciprocal Elite Benefits (Spring 2026)
By spring 2026, United and JetBlue expect to debut reciprocal loyalty benefits for elite status members across both airlines. This is a major perk for frequent flyers who've earned status through their travel.
United Premier Elites flying JetBlue will receive:
Access to JetBlue's Even More Space seats (similar to Economy Plus)
Priority boarding
Free checked baggage
Same-day flight change privileges
JetBlue Mosaic members flying United will receive:
Access to United's Economy Plus extra legroom seats
Priority boarding
Free checked baggage
Same-day flight change privileges
These reciprocal benefits mean your elite status now works across both carriers, significantly expanding the value of achieving Mosaic or Premier status. For Hawaii travelers, this is especially valuable on long-haul flights where extra legroom makes a real difference on 5-6 hour flights from the mainland.
The airlines released a comprehensive benefits chart last year outlining the full scope of reciprocal perks, confirming that status earned on one airline will be honored on the other for key travel benefits.
Combined Itineraries
Soon, the two airlines expect to open up seamless connecting itineraries across the JetBlue and United networks. For example, you could book a JetBlue flight from Boston to Washington Dulles, connecting to a United flight to Honolulu—all on one ticket.
JetBlue Vacations Expansion
JetBlue Vacations now includes United-operated flights in their Flight + Hotel packages. This opens up bucket-list destinations beyond Hawaii, perfect for combining an island trip with Pacific destinations like Japan, Australia, or Fiji.
How to Find the Best Award Availability for Hawaii
Step 1: Check Both Airline Websites
Always compare award pricing on both United.com and JetBlue.com. The same United flight might price differently depending on which platform you use.
Step 2: Transfer Points Strategically
Know which credit card points transfer to which airline:
For United MileagePlus:
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
For JetBlue TrueBlue:
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1.5)
American Express Membership Rewards (varies)
Step 3: Look for Sweet Spot Redemptions
United Saver Awards to Hawaii typically cost:
12,500 miles one-way from West Coast
22,500 miles one-way from East Coast
JetBlue points for United flights:
Pricing varies but typically competitive with cash fares
Use JetBlue's points calculator to compare value
Step 4: Book Early for Best Availability
United releases award space 337 days in advance. For popular Hawaii routes during peak season (summer and winter holidays), book as early as possible.
Future Developments: United Returns to JFK
JetBlue is providing United with slots for up to seven daily roundtrips from New York JFK starting in 2027. This means easier connections from the East Coast to Hawaii via United's network, creating more award availability for Hawaii travelers on the East Coast.
United's planned growth for JFK– with JetBlue providing United access to slots for up to seven daily roundtrips at JFK's new Terminal 6
Tips for Booking Hawaii Flights with Blue Sky
Mix and Match for Best Value
Don't be loyal to one currency. If United Saver awards aren't available, check JetBlue's pricing for the same United flight using TrueBlue points.
Watch for Promotions
Both airlines frequently run transfer bonuses and points sales. Stock up when there's a 30-40% bonus.
Consider Premium Cabins
United offers Polaris business class on some Hawaii routes, particularly from Newark to Maui, with lie-flat seats for the 11-hour journey.
Book Vacation Packages
JetBlue Vacations packages can sometimes offer better value than booking flights and hotels separately, especially with United flights now included.
Check Both One-Way and Round-Trip
Award pricing isn't always symmetrical. Sometimes two one-ways are cheaper than a round-trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn elite status on both airlines?
Yes, TrueBlue members can earn tiles toward Mosaic status on United flights, but United MileagePlus members cannot earn status-qualifying metrics on JetBlue flights.
Are there blackout dates for award travel?
Generally no, but award availability varies. United uses dynamic pricing on many routes, meaning the points cost can change based on demand.
Can I use Chase Ultimate Rewards to book JetBlue through United?
Yes! Transfer your Ultimate Rewards to United MileagePlus, then use those miles to book JetBlue flights on United's website.
Will this partnership affect Hawaiian Airlines?
Competition typically benefits travelers through better award availability and pricing. The Blue Sky partnership may pressure Hawaiian to improve their loyalty program offerings.
Scottie's Take:
This partnership is excellent news for anyone using credit card points to get to Hawaii. The ability to search and book across both airlines with either TrueBlue points or MileagePlus miles essentially doubles your redemption options overnight.
For our Hawaii Reward Travel ohana, I'd recommend keeping balances in both programs if possible. The flexibility to book United's direct flights to Hawaii with JetBlue points (via Chase or Citi transfers) or access JetBlue's leisure routes with United miles creates tremendous value.
My prediction? This partnership will pressure Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest to offer better award availability on Hawaii routes. Competition benefits us as travelers. Start checking both platforms for your next island adventure, you might find award space that wasn't there before.
The points and miles we help you earn through strategic credit card applications just became a lot more valuable. United's massive Hawaii operation combined with JetBlue's point transfer partners creates more paths to the islands than ever before.
Pro tip: Set up fare alerts on both United.com and JetBlue.com for your preferred Hawaii routes. Watch for award space to open up as the partnership matures and both airlines add more inventory.
Mahalo for reading, and happy points earning! 🌺
