JetBlue TrueBlue - Jetblue now permits reservation of exit row seats

Discovered this just a few days ago. Not sure if row 1 is also available, all 4 flights I've booked so far have had row 1 showing occupied. Maybe Jetblue is still reserving the first few rows for airport check in for families.

What they really should do is restrict reservation of the exit row only to customers who have accumulated over a certain number of TrueBlue points---a sort of quasi-elite status.

If anyone can prereserve the exit row, JetBlue isn't encouraging loyalty, just encouraging reservations way in advance. :td:

What they really should do is restrict reservation of the exit row only to customers who have accumulated over a certain number of TrueBlue points---a sort of quasi-elite status.

If anyone can prereserve the exit row, JetBlue isn't encouraging loyalty, just encouraging reservations way in advance. :td:


That's a good idea...Not sure how it would work--maybe like the equivalent of more than 10 a month?

What they really should do is restrict reservation of the exit row only to customers who have accumulated over a certain number of TrueBlue points---a sort of quasi-elite status.

If anyone can prereserve the exit row, JetBlue isn't encouraging loyalty, just encouraging reservations way in advance. :td:

Remember, Jetblue's philosophy for its FF program is KISS: keep it simple, stupid. Once you start elite status, you're on the slippery slope to preferred boarding, elite queues, elite phone lines, early boarding, mileage bonuses, and priority bag tags. Then once you've given these out, there's no going back, permanently raising the cost base. Give me the low cost any day.

Unfortunately, it does mean that the best seats go to the earliest bookers (and thus the payers of the lowest fare). It might be unfair, but it does not hurt Jetblue's revenue, particularly because the customer does not know whether any exit row seats are available until after she has purchased the ticket.

Remember, Jetblue's philosophy for its FF program is KISS: keep it simple, stupid. Once you start elite status, you're on the slippery slope to preferred boarding, elite queues, elite phone lines, early boarding, mileage bonuses, and priority bag tags. Then once you've given these out, there's no going back, permanently raising the cost base. Give me the low cost any day.


Even if it does raise costs to add elite benefits to TrueBlue, it could potentially bring in more revenue from weekly business travelers (like me) who fly routes served by JetBlue, and like the product, but don't want to lose all the FF perks offered by the legacy carriers.

The other thing I'd like to see on JetBlue is fully refundable tickets. Last time I checked, all JetBlue fares were non-refundable (albeit with a $25 change fee instead of $100). Business travelers will often pay a premium for flexible tickets, and JetBlue is missing out on this revenue as well.

Even if it does raise costs to add elite benefits to TrueBlue, it could potentially bring in more revenue from weekly business travelers (like me) who fly routes served by JetBlue, and like the product, but don't want to lose all the FF perks offered by the legacy carriers.

The other thing I'd like to see on JetBlue is fully refundable tickets. Last time I checked, all JetBlue fares were non-refundable (albeit with a $25 change fee instead of $100). Business travelers will often pay a premium for flexible tickets, and JetBlue is missing out on this revenue as well.


It can't be that more expensive to at the bare minimum just allow elites to get access to the exit row seating first and/or board first. As far as the biz traveler aspect w/ refundable fares, the $25 is chump change vs. a last minute one-way or RT on a major carrier, so I can handle this aspect.

I really truly think Jetblue is losing the biz traveler who travels 5-6 times a year for work and choses to fly the majors due to the FF programs and low level elite benefits. I still fly 25K on NW/CO for the simple reason that I'll be silver elite and get preferred seatings, upgrades, early boarding/security lines and miles to use.

If Jetblue ever concocted a small elite program, where say points didnt expire and 100 pts got you a free flight and 100 in a year got you silver or low level elite, Id fly Jetblue 100% of the time.

It can't be that more expensive to at the bare minimum just allow elites to get access to the exit row seating first and/or board first. As far as the biz traveler aspect w/ refundable fares, the $25 is chump change vs. a last minute one-way or RT on a major carrier, so I can handle this aspect.


True, but I prefer a truly refundable ticket (as opposed to just changeable for a future JetBlue flight for $25). If, let's say, I book a refundable ticket on AA for a meeting in PHX next week, and then find out I don't need to go to PHX at all, I can just call AA and have the ticket price refunded back to my credit card. With JetBlue I can only get a credit for future travel, and I might need to go to a city that JetBlue doesn't serve the following week. Cash (and cash-equivalent refunds) are king. :)

I agree that an elite program would be useful, and could be implemented without raising costs very much at all.

After you read FT for a while, you start to realize that half of the reason people like being an "elite" is just to feel special -- for example, the actual benefits of low level elite status on the legacy carriers is pretty minimal (I speak with some authority on this, being one!) yet it's just enough to encourage loyalty.

Southwest's Companion Pass is sort of a second cousin to an elite program, and I think JetBlue could do a few things (priority boarding, elite security line, pre-reserve exit rows) that would cost them almost nothing.

Back to the original post - this is how Jet Blue handled it with me for exit row seats through a phone call.

I booked 2 seats for Saturday just this past Monday over the phone, as I had two $25-credits. The online booking software does not allow credit usage, thus the need to make a call to Reservations.

The only seats left are in the back of the bus so I asked if we could get 2 exit-row seats over the phone. The agent stated "Well, yes and no", meaning she is only allowed to put it in our record that we are requesting an exit row. We cannot print boarding passes online but must present ourselves at the ticket desk prior to departure so they can verify we qualify and then issue BPs. At this point our exit-row seats are on hold with no guarantees until we arrive at the desk.

She also stated that Row 1 is not for the asking. Sorry, I should have pressed her for further information on that but will ask when we check in.

On AA if you pre-reserve an exit row seat the web site makes you read a notice with the exit row qualifications and click "yes" or "no" as to whether you qualify. If you click yes, you can pre-reserve the seat and get an electronic BP. Seems it would be very easy for JetBlue to add this to the web site, making less hassle for folks wanting to pre-reserve the exit row.

On AA if you pre-reserve an exit row seat the web site makes you read a notice with the exit row qualifications and click "yes" or "no" as to whether you qualify. If you click yes, you can pre-reserve the seat and get an electronic BP. Seems it would be very easy for JetBlue to add this to the web site, making less hassle for folks wanting to pre-reserve the exit row.

This is already a part of the Jetblue web site when you choose an exit row. A little pop-up, with conditions, that you must OK before it gives you the exit row seat. Or did you mean Jetblue when you said AA? Otherwise, your wish is their command as it was there 2 weeks ago when I booked via the web.

This is already a part of the Jetblue web site when you choose an exit row. A little pop-up, with conditions, that you must OK before it gives you the exit row seat. Or did you mean Jetblue when you said AA? Otherwise, your wish is their command as it was there 2 weeks ago when I booked via the web.

No, I meant what I said, but I misread the original post. I was assuming from scoobiedo's message that you could not answer the qualification question online. But I didn't realize he was talking about over the telephone. You have to wonder why you can answer the qualification question on the web site but not over the telephone...

Even if it does raise costs to add elite benefits to TrueBlue, it could potentially bring in more revenue from weekly business travelers (like me) who fly routes served by JetBlue, and like the product, but don't want to lose all the FF perks offered by the legacy carriers.

The other thing I'd like to see on JetBlue is fully refundable tickets. Last time I checked, all JetBlue fares were non-refundable (albeit with a $25 change fee instead of $100). Business travelers will often pay a premium for flexible tickets, and JetBlue is missing out on this revenue as well.

I agree with you on the elite benefits. I see them at least considering this in the future. However I do not see them offering refundable fares since they would have to start overbooking to offset the no shows.

I tried a Google search, but to no avail.

Notwithstanding the exit row issue, does it bother anyone that you can't see the seat loads prior to purchase?

Also, regarding the elite issue. It is by no means inexpensive. It would require a retooling of the website, and in the case of other benefits, manpower and customer service staff. I do agree, however, that your accumulated points shouldn't expire for a longer period.

I'll admit, that I cannot get the legacy carrier frequent flyer syndrome out of me. Whenever I fly an LCC (or a legacy on which I don't have status) I look at it as a lost opportunity. Yes, my name is Score8 and I am a pointaholic.

I'll admit, that I cannot get the legacy carrier frequent flyer syndrome out of me. Whenever I fly an LCC (or a legacy on which I don't have status) I look at it as a lost opportunity. Yes, my name is Score8 and I am a pointaholic.

I regard it as a lost opportunity too...

I guess this is something that over time might change. Losinhg a few legacy carriers and/or the decreased value of miles/lack of award avalaibility are the two contributing factors. I admit I make the same decision, esp on transcons, but as a 6'5 guy and not having elite status this year, the legroom, comfort and IFE trump miles right now for me on a 6 hr trip.

Back to the original post - this is how Jet Blue handled it with me for exit row seats through a phone call.

I booked 2 seats for Saturday just this past Monday over the phone, as I had two $25-credits. The online booking software does not allow credit usage, thus the need to make a call to Reservations.

The only seats left are in the back of the bus so I asked if we could get 2 exit-row seats over the phone. The agent stated "Well, yes and no", meaning she is only allowed to put it in our record that we are requesting an exit row. We cannot print boarding passes online but must present ourselves at the ticket desk prior to departure so they can verify we qualify and then issue BPs. At this point our exit-row seats are on hold with no guarantees until we arrive at the desk.

She also stated that Row 1 is not for the asking. Sorry, I should have pressed her for further information on that but will ask when we check in.


A follow-up: Got to the airport 1.5 hours ahead. Regarding the 2 exit row seats that I was told over the phone were being held for us in our Reservations record: only 1 seat was available, the other seat had been given away, even though the agent did say it was in the record but had no idea what happened. No big deal as it turned out - I asked for Row 1, 2, or 3 - all were open. The agent was willing to give us Row 1 but did say it is usually held for physically challenged customers.

On the return I was able to switch to Row 3. Row 1 was unavailable - this agent said it is always held for families.