What your JetBlue Airways contract says

In short

This is a contract of carriage between you and JetBlue Airways Corporation governed by JetBlue's Contract of Carriage and, on international routes, the Montreal Convention. JetBlue's fare ladder is Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint (its premium product on transcontinental and transatlantic routes). JetBlue is known for free brand-name snacks, free DirecTV/streaming Wi-Fi, and roomy economy seating, but Blue Basic is the carrier's restricted product (last-zone boarding, no advance seat selection without a fee, and a $100/$200 (domestic/international) change fee plus fare difference, the only major U.S). carrier still charging a change fee on its basic product. Under the U.S. DOT 2024 Automatic Refund Rule (14 CFR Part 260), JetBlue must automatically refund the original form of payment when JetBlue cancels a flight or makes a 'significant change' (3+ hours domestic / 6+ hours international, or material airport/connection/downgrade changes) and you choose not to travel. Involuntary denied boarding under 14 CFR Part 250 entitles you to cash compensation of up to 200% of one-way fare ($1,075) or 400% ($2,150).

What you agree to do

• You must check in and drop bags at least 40 minutes before a domestic departure (60 minutes international) and be at the gate by the published cut-off, or JetBlue may cancel your reservation as a no-show.
• You must comply with the carry-on policy (Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint passengers may bring one carry-on plus one personal item; Blue Basic passengers may only bring one personal item on most routes (with limited exceptions for Mosaic members and JetBlue card holders)).
• You must pay any applicable change fee on Blue Basic ($100 domestic / $200 international, plus fare difference) (this is the only mainline U.S). carrier basic product that still charges a change fee.

What you can ask for

• You have the right to cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to original form of payment when the booking was made at least 7 days before departure (DOT 14 CFR §259.5).
• You have the right to an automatic refund to original form of payment if JetBlue cancels your flight or makes a 'significant change' (3+ hr domestic / 6+ hr international, or material airport/connection/downgrade changes) and you decline rebooking, per DOT 14 CFR Part 260.
• You have the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international flight, with food and water within 2 hours, per DOT 14 CFR §259.4.
• You have the right to involuntary denied-boarding compensation of 200% of one-way fare (capped at $1,075) or 400% (capped at $2,150) if JetBlue bumps you from an oversold flight, per DOT 14 CFR Part 250.
• You have the right to JetBlue's published 'Customer Bill of Rights' remedies for ground delays and controllable cancellations, including statement credits or vouchers when delays exceed thresholds set out in the Bill of Rights.
• You have the right to earn TrueBlue points on every paid fare; points do not expire as long as the account remains open, and JetBlue does not charge close-in award booking fees.

Points worth knowing

• Blue Basic still charges a change feeUnlike American, Delta, United, and Alaska which eliminated change fees on standard economy, JetBlue retains a $100 (domestic) / $200 (international) change fee on Blue Basic (and the ticket is non-refundable outside the 24-hour DOT window).
• Blue Basic carry-on restrictionOn most routes, Blue Basic passengers can only bring a personal item that fits under the seat. A standard rollaboard brought to the gate must be checked for $65 plus a gate-handling charge.
• Schedule changes below the DOT thresholdJetBlue can change flight times by up to 2 hours 59 minutes domestically or 5 hours 59 minutes internationally without triggering a mandatory refund; you must accept rebooking or absorb the disruption.
• Operational reliabilityJetBlue operates a smaller network with limited recovery capacity, and DOT data shows the carrier consistently among the lowest in on-time performance; missed connections and same-day rebooking options are more constrained than at the legacy hubs.
• Broad disclaimer of consequential damagesJetBlue's Contract of Carriage disclaims liability for missed cruises, hotels, lost wages, and business losses caused by delays or cancellations. Airline Deregulation Act preemption forecloses most state-law claims for delayed or denied service.
• TrueBlue point devaluation riskJetBlue uses fully dynamic award pricing; the points cost of any given itinerary can change at any time, and there is no published award chart guaranteeing redemption rates.

Dates and deadlines

24-hour free cancellation window

Within 24 hours of booking, provided travel is at least 7 days away

Tarmac delay deplaning rights

After 3 hours on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international flight

Check-in / gate cut-off

Check in 40 min (domestic) / 60 min (international) before departure; be at the gate by 15 min before

Customer Bill of Rights remedies

Threshold-triggered credits/vouchers for ground delays and controllable cancellations as published in JetBlue's Customer Bill of Rights