Bill Randell’s FlyORH: JetBlue Points Don’t Expire

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Bill Randell, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

Last week, I wrote about JetBlue loyalty program, TrueBlue. The main way to earn points is that for each dollar you spend online for tickets, you earn 6 points. If you book tickets over the phone, you only earn 3 points per dollar. Avoid the $20 per person fee and double your points, book online!

The other way is to utilize their American Express card and earn 1 point for each dollar that you spend. Currently they have a great promotion on their Amex card where you can earn 20,000 points if you charge 1,000 over the first three months. There are other ways, but to learn more go to the FAQ page.

Most loyalty programs have an expiration date, which I discovered with my GM Card. After earning thousands and thousands of points, I noticed each month the number dropping. After making some phone calls, I found out the only way I could ever redeem these points was to buy a new GM Card. Never bought a new GM Card and lost all my points. Too bad they did not at least have an option like JetBlue, where I could have at least donated my GM points to charity?

JetBlue had a one year expiration, but the caveat was to use your JetBlue Amex once per year and your points never would expire until this e-mail that I received Monday:

Dear WILLIAM,

TrueBlue points are our way of thanking you for your loyalty. But members have expressed concern that accounts must stay active for points to never expire. So, we did something about it.

We heard your feedback, and we agree: Your loyalty doesn't have an expiration date, and your points shouldn't either. That's why we've dropped the fine print. Starting today, you can hold on to your TrueBlue points until you’re ready to redeem them.

No activity requirements. No asterisks. No expiration dates. Just points, glorious points.

Cheers,

Dave Canty
Director of Loyalty & Partnerships
Follow me @tremdave

JetBlue, how about a physical card in the mail from you for young adults like my daughter with her name and TrueBlue number with apps online where she can earn additional points. Imagine the loyalty that would create?

Bill Randell is the President of Advantage Benefits, an insurance brokerage house specializing in employee benefits with an emphasis on health insurance, based in Worcester since 1992. He can be contacted at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter (@FlyORH).