If you have a JetBlue Mastercard you get a free checked bag. Additionally, if you book on points, you always get to take a carry-on since all points bookings are at the Blue level or higher.

All of that said; the policy is annoying and JetBlue may lose some customers, but they’re far from the only on my doing this on basic economy fares.

Over Thanksgiving our family of 4 traveled on a Blue Basic fare, and we hadn't traveled on JetBlue in a couple years. We all had personal items but no larger carry-on bags. Once boarding was complete the overhead bins near us were still fairly empty, including the one directly above us that was completely empty. I stood up briefly to throw our jackets and a small bag in the overhead and the FA immediately came over screaming that we were on Basic fares that didn't allow use of the overhead bins. I was aware of the restriction, but assumed it meant we couldn't bring full-size carry-ons on board (not that we couldn't stuff a few coats and a small toy bag in an overhead). I said the bin is completely empty, and he dismissively said something about our "discounted" tickets not allowing any use of the overhead bin so the bag and jackets would have to be stowed on the floor by our feet. Had it been said nicely I wouldn't have thought much of the interaction, but the tone just rubbed me the wrong way. He succeeded in keeping the bin empty, as well as ensuring I give more consideration to other airlines when booking future travel.

That is not true; I would let JetBlue know about that interaction. However they will probably offer you a travel credit, and if you don't plan on flying JB again then that would be useless. So it's up to you if you want to spend the time. I agree with you 100%, this was mishandled by the FA.

-J.

Yeah I don’t believe the terms of the blue basic fare say anything about lack of overhead bin access, even though practically speaking there won’t be much or any space left. They could easily include that in the rules if they wanted to (I think maybe Frontier does?), although they really shouldn’t ban coats from the bins for anyone, as long as they go in last.

Thanks, I will write in just to provide the feedback. Is the policy that Basic fares don't permit bags larger than personal items or that any access to the overhead bins is prohibited? This particular FA had a tablet that he was using to identify the Basic travelers and I saw him remove at least one other person's personal item from the overhead. Even if the bins were full our items would have still fit (since you can always stuff a jacket or small soft bag on top of a larger bag), but the crazy thing is that the bin we used was completely empty.

Blue Basic just means you don't get a carry-on sized item or anything other than a personal item (unless you have a medical device, in which case your personal item would have to go in the overhead bin). There is no verbiage prohibiting using the overhead bin if there is space. This just sounds like a FA on a power trip.

-J.

The language on the website is ambiguous but doesn’t explicitly prohibit use of the overhead. Though I didn’t scour the CoC or fare rules.

Quote:

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Our carry-on bag policy has recently changed, so please review the following carefully:

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I interpret that to mean it must be able to fit under the seat, but there is nothing to say you cannot put it in the overhead bin. By boarding in the last group, in theory everyone who planned to use the overhead bin would have already done so, so it would be logical that you can put small items up top if you would like. The alternative seems awfully draconian.

But I don't work there, so who knows what it really is. Too bad you can't HUCA with flight attendants or gate agents, lol.

-J.

Here is JetBlue's response (bolding mine):

So basically the policy is that Blue Basic travelers may not place personal items in the overhead bin, however Blue Basic travelers have no way of knowing this because it is not disclosed to them.

Holy ....... :eek: That is not what I expected. I don't think any other airlines are that strict with this.

Note to self... don't book blue basic. This most likely means I won't be booking JetBlue for leisure anymore (not that I do outside of award tickets, anyway).

-J.

Just want to confirm please: AA Elites can have a free checked bag on Jet Blue Basic, but no carry-on bag, correct?

I am thinking of booking a flight on Christmas Eve on an E190 that seems to be pretty lightly loaded. As this will be a 7 day trip to a warm weather destination, I anticipate just requiring a check in bag and a small personal item. No middle seats, no required use of overhead bin, am I correct to think there is no downside to booking Basic Blue on this fare? It's about $30 below the regular Blue.

That is correct.
Seems like it will work well for your situation.

-J.

This means that the JetBlue credit card is substantially worse than United's. I have the United $95/year card, and I can book Basic Economy, still get the free carry on, still get the free checked bag, AND get to board in Group 2.

Baggage allowance is typically not the factor you think about when picking airlines credit card. JetBlue plus card gives you 6x points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases and more importantly 2x points per dollar spent on groceries. There is also the $5000 anniversary bonus which covers much of the annual fee. United gets you just 2x miles per dollar spent on United purchases and typical 1 miles per dollar spent on groceries. The only area where United does better is 2x miles on hotel bookings. Also, JetBlue plus gets you 50% off on inflight purchases whereas United explorer only provides 25% off.

Of course, there is also the mileage valuation https://thepointsguy.com/guide/monthly-valuations/. TPG puts them at the same value. Now, I think UA is probably worth more due to more redemption partners, but I think it got a lot closer after JetBlue got AA as a redemption partner. You get much better value redeeming mileage on AA flights than UA flights.

Now, if JetBlue can just add AS as a partner, we got a new ball game.