Jetblue refundable ticket question
 

Total Jetblue rookie here and boy do I need your help. Started looking at Jetblue for 2 tickets from LAS to BOS on a direct flight next June. Trying to navigate their website and options has my head spinning. I want to book fully refundable tickets, that can be refunded to my original form of payment should my plans change, that I will upgrade to Even More Space. We will both have a carry on and will each be checking a bag. I thought I had figured out that tickets other than Blue Basic are refundable to the original form of payment, however when I attempted to book the Blue fare online I not only don't see any evidence that the ticket is refundable but I am offered the opportunity to make the ticket refundable for "from $68". Do I need to be looking at Blue Extra to get what I'm looking for? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

So you currently have a nonrefundable Blue ticket, but with the covid changes all nonrefundable Blue/Blue Extra tickets can be cancelled for a full refund in TravelBank credit (but not to the original form of payment). You'll need to pay the additional $68 for a refundable Blue fare — buying up to Blue Extra will still be nonrefundable (except to TravelBank), and if you select Blue Extra you should also see an option to pay more for a refundable Blue Extra fare. Hope that helps!

I have the same question as OP, I'm trying to make a new booking that I want to be refundable (not a TravelBank credit). I tried a booking don't see anywhere to opt for refundable? I chose Blue Extra, took it all the way to the payment screen. Where exactly should that option be presented?

For me, when I search for a flight, there is a column on the right of the flight options with the header "Filter Results"; this can be expanded (or may be by default) and there is an option in this box for "Fare Type" under which refundable can be selected.

OK, this is odd.

On my laptop, chrome browser, the filter box does not appear. There is a button for "stops" (nonstop/one stop) above the list of flights, but nothing for refundable. On my phone, the mobile website does show the Filters, but when I select "Refundable", all the flights show up as sold out. They are available when I choose Non-refundable.

I'm used to airlines selling out cheaper non-refundable fares, but never seen one that won't sell their most expensive refundable one. Is this a glitch? Common? Or a special holiday weekend restriction?

Example: 1-way BOS-MSY Fr 11/26.

With the new booking interface on a browser you have to go to the checkout page to get the refundable option — it shows up for me for BOS-MSY on 11/26 with a Blue Extra fare:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bcfbce2b18.jpg

if you opt for the refundable fare, do you also get the fee payment back?

Hello,

I purchased a jetblue basic ticket. I mentioned to jetblue via chat that i had an exposure to covid and requested to have a ticket changed but they wanted to charge me a $100 change fee + fare difference. The operator over the chat when to far to tell me that given i had not tested positive yet it was "up to me weather to travel". Did any one else experience the same thing with jetblue? I find this unacceptable on their part, i would never travel if i had a pending covid test out of respect to others on the flight. Any feedback on how to deal with them is appreciated !

below is the full chat i had with the operator:

Hello! How can I help you today? Choose from a topic below or type a specific question.
Hello, I had a friend who tested positive to covid. I am pending a covid test which i expect to get in the next days. Given I am pending a covid test i believe it would be best to reschedule tomorrow's flight. Could you please assist with this? thank you
11:23 PM
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Hello! We will respond to your message within 5 minutes. Data rates may apply. Are you able to wait? ¡Hola! Responderemos a su mensaje dentro de 5 minutos. Cuando corresponda, se aplicarán tarifas de datos. ¿Desea esperar?
I'd like to wait
Thank you, we will be with you soon.
Hi there, you are now connected to Jayar
How may I assist you?
Hello, I had a friend who tested positive to covid. I am pending a covid test which i expect to get in the next days. Given I am pending a covid test i believe it would be best to reschedule tomorrow's flight. Could you please assist with this? thank you
sorry i forgot to mention my confirmation is #XXXXXX
What is the name on the reservation?
First NAME XXXX LAST NAME XXXX
Give me just a moment to look into this.
What would you like to change it to?
sorry just one second
Take your time.
i am checking
Perfect, thank you!
8/30 same flight would work
or a travel voucher whichever is easiest
Let me check that for you.
What time would you like?
it would be the same flight
HYA to JFK
flight# B6 1963
Perfect, one moment.
So to make the change there will be a difference in airfare of $20 and a change fee of $100.
So it will cost $120 to make the change.
I am ok to pay the $20 difference but since this is due to covid - health issue shouldn't the change fee be waived?
No, the change or cancellation fee is charged up front, if you end up testing positive we can have you fill out a form that we will issue the funds back as a travel credit.
ok, but if i travel tomorrow and i end up testing postitive i risk exposing other people
What would you like to do?
i told you i am ok to pay the fare difference but given this is health issue i am not ok to pay the 100 change fee
We will still have to charge the fee to change or cancel.
so you are still saying i can travel tomorrow with a pending covid test?
and risk exposing other people
i really don't understand what the issue is here- we are in a middle of a pandemic
Yes, that is correct it will be up to you. Since you are not confirmed with covid It is essentially up to you digression. We will have to charge the fee up front, but if you feel like you are at potential risk we do ask that you do what you feel is best for you.
If you do end up testing positive you will have a document that you can fill out and can be reimbursed for the fee.
i understand, but i will not know that till later
What would you like to do?
if you confirm it is ok to travel with a pending covid test (which i believe is not ideal) as i could test positive then i will evaluate and proceed to travel as i should not bare the burden for a change fee for making sure jetblue's flight is safe
i mean also during you check in process online it says to contact you if you had an exposure
It is up to you to make that decision. I do have to charge the fees upfront though.
i am not paying any fee
delta airlines does not charge any fee for covid
not sure what the issue is with jetblue
Okay, so would you like to keep your flight?
yes, and if i test positive for covid i will send this chat to a reporter
its on you guys not me
I'm sorry I was not able to satisfy your concerns. You may contact a supervisor by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) and providing your confirmation code.

Following this thread I am trying to book a fully refundable fare (to the original form of payment rather than a travel credit) on JetBlue.com. I see the option to "Add Refundability" and have selected it but then I read the fare rules which do not seem to change and look like a non-refundable ticket to me. Copied the relevant section of the rules below. Bolded the first two instances that make it look non-refundable.

Is there anything in the ticketing process (e-mails, tickets, etc.) that shows the booking is fully refundable. I don't like to buy fully refundable unless I have something in writing from the airline. I suppose I can take screen shots but I would prefer something better.

17. PENALTIES
17.1. *SPECIAL EMERGENCY RULES?*SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME?FOR TICKETING ON/BEFORE 07JUN21/FOR TRAVEL ON/AFTER?01FEB20 AND ON/BEFORE 03MAY22?IF TRAVEL ON THIS FARE COMPONENT MUST COMMENCE BY?MIDNIGHT ON 30JUN22.?CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS?BEFORE DEPARTURE?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?FOR TICKETS ISSUED ON/BEFORE 07JUN21 FOR TRAVEL?ON/AFTER 01FEB20 AND ON/BEFORE 03MAY22 IF TRAVEL?ON THIS FARE COMPONENT COMMENCES BY MIDNIGHT ON?30JUN22 TICKETS MAY BE EXCHANGED OR REFUNDED TO?ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS FROM?EARLIEST OUTBOUND DATE OF THE JOURNEY?BEFORE DEPARTURE?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?RESERVATIONS MADE ONE WEEK OR MORE PRIOR TO A?FLIGHTS SCHEDULED DEPARTURE CAN BE CANCELLED?WITHOUT PENALTY UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER RESERVATION?IS MADE?--------------------------------------------------?PASSENGER MUST BE PRESENT IN THE BOARDING AREA?TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME OR?IT MAY RESULT IN CANCELLED RESERVATION?--------------------------------------------------?JETBLUE USES AUTOMATED CHANGE AND CANCEL RULES IN?CATEGORY 31/33. GDS AGENCIES PLEASE REVIEW THESE?FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS. DIFFERENCES MAY EXIST?BETWEEN A MANUAL CHANGE/CANCEL AND AN AUTOMATED?ONE. THE MORE RESTRICTIVE AUTOMATED RULES APPLY.?--------------------------------------------------?RESIDUAL VALUES FOR THESE FARES MAY ONLY BE?REFUNDED TO VOUCHERS. IF VOUCHER IS NOT ISSUED?THESE FARES ARE 100 PERCENT NONREFUNDABLE?CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS?BEFORE DEPARTURE?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?ANYTIME WITHIN TKT VALIDITY REPRICE?A. CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS USE FARES IN EFFECT?TODAY?B. ALL OTHERS USE CURRENTLY TKTD FARE PROVIDED?ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-?1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS UP TO THE FIRST?CHANGED FARE COMPONENT?2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL?MUST BE DOMESTIC?3. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER?POINT?4. B6 SAME FARE TYPE IS USED?5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET?6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM NEW TKT ISSUE?DATE IF CURRENT FARES/FROM PREVIOUS TKT ISSUE?DATE IF HISTORICAL FARES TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING?UNIT?--------------------------------------------------?FOR RESERVATIONS MADE ON JETBLUE.COM OR THRU?JETBLUE RESERVATIONS THAT ARE CHANGED PRIOR TO?SCHEDULED DEPARTURE A CHANGE FEE MAY BE APPLIED?AT THE TIME THE TICKET IS EXCHANGED. THE VALUE?OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET CAN BE APPLIED TO THE NEW?TICKET. IF THE NEW BOOKING RESULTS IN A RESIDUAL?VALUE THAT AMOUNT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED BUT?PLACED IN THE CUSTOMERS TRAVEL BANK ACCOUNT AS A?CREDIT/VOUCHER FOR USE ON FUTURE TRAVEL.?TRAVELBANK FUNDS/CREDITS ARE VALID FOR 24 MONTHS?FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND ARE ONLY VALID FOR?DIRECT BOOKINGS WITH JETBLUE.?--?FOR RESERVATIONS MADE BY AN AGENCY THRU THE GDS?THAT ARE CHANGED PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE A?CHANGE FEE MAY BE APPLIED AT THE TIME THE TICKET?IS EXCHANGED. THE VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET?CAN BE APPLIED TO THE NEW TICKET. IF THERE IS?RESIDUAL VALUE AFTER AN EXCHANGE ON A TICKET THE?AGENCY CAN REFUND THE RESIDUAL VALUE TO A MCO.?THE MCO IS GOOD FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF?ORIGINAL ISSUANCE. THE MCO IS FULLY?TRANSFERABLE. IF THE AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE THE?ABILITY TO REFUND TO A MCO ANY RESIDUAL VALUE?AFTER THE TICKET IS EXCHANGED WOULD BE LOST.?--------------------------------------------------?RESIDUAL VALUES FOR THESE FARES MAY ONLY BE?REFUNDED TO VOUCHERS. IF VOUCHER IS NOT ISSUED?THESE FARES ARE 100 PERCENT NONREFUNDABLE?AFTER DEPARTURE?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?UNFLOWN FARE COMPONENTS MAY BE CHANGED PRIOR TO?SCHEDULED DEPARTURE. CHANGES TO UNFLOWN FARE?COMPONENTS AFTER TIME OF SCHEDULED DEPARTURE ARE?NOT PERMITTED.?GENERAL RULE - APPLY UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?RESERVATIONS MADE ONE WEEK OR MORE PRIOR TO A?FLIGHTS SCHEDULED DEPARTURE CAN BE CANCELLED?WITHOUT PENALTY UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER RESERVATION?IS MADE?--------------------------------------------------?PASSENGER MUST BE PRESENT IN THE BOARDING AREA?TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME OR?IT MAY RESULT IN CANCELLED RESERVATION?--------------------------------------------------?JETBLUE USES AUTOMATED CHANGE AND CANCEL RULES IN?CATEGORY 31/33. GDS AGENCIES PLEASE REVIEW THESE?FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS. DIFFERENCES MAY EXIST?BETWEEN A MANUAL CHANGE/CANCEL AND AN AUTOMATED?ONE. THE MORE RESTRICTIVE AUTOMATED RULES APPLY.?--------------------------------------------------?RESIDUAL VALUES FOR THESE FARES MAY ONLY BE?REFUNDED TO VOUCHERS. IF VOUCHER IS NOT ISSUED?THESE FARES ARE 100 PERCENT NONREFUNDABLE?CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS?BEFORE DEPARTURE?CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?ANYTIME WITHIN TKT VALIDITY REPRICE?A. CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS USE FARES IN EFFECT?TODAY?B. ALL OTHERS USE CURRENTLY TKTD FARE PROVIDED?ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-?1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS UP TO THE FIRST?CHANGED FARE COMPONENT?2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL?MUST BE DOMESTIC?3. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER?POINT?4. B6 SAME FARE TYPE IS USED OR ERS OR BR OR BX?5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET?6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM NEW TKT ISSUE?DATE IF CURRENT FARES/FROM PREVIOUS TKT ISSUE?DATE IF HISTORICAL FARES TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING?UNIT?--------------------------------------------------?FOR RESERVATIONS MADE ON JETBLUE.COM OR THRU?JETBLUE RESERVATIONS THAT ARE CHANGED PRIOR TO?SCHEDULED DEPARTURE A CHANGE FEE MAY BE APPLIED?AT THE TIME THE TICKET IS EXCHANGED. THE VALUE?OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET CAN BE APPLIED TO THE NEW?TICKET. IF THE NEW BOOKING RESULTS IN A RESIDUAL?VALUE THAT AMOUNT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED BUT?PLACED IN THE CUSTOMERS TRAVEL BANK ACCOUNT AS A?CREDIT/VOUCHER FOR USE ON FUTURE TRAVEL.?TRAVELBANK FUNDS/CREDITS ARE VALID FOR 1 YEAR?FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND ARE ONLY VALID FOR?DIRECT BOOKINGS WITH JETBLUE.?--?FOR RESERVATIONS MADE BY AN AGENCY THRU THE GDS?THAT ARE CHANGED PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE A?CHANGE FEE MAY BE APPLIED AT THE TIME THE TICKET?IS EXCHANGED. THE VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET?CAN BE APPLIED TO THE NEW TICKET. IF THERE IS?RESIDUAL VALUE AFTER AN EXCHANGE ON A TICKET THE?AGENCY CAN REFUND THE RESIDUAL VALUE TO A MCO.?THE MCO IS GOOD FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF?ORIGINAL ISSUANCE. THE MCO IS FULLY?TRANSFERABLE. IF THE AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE THE?ABILITY TO REFUND TO A MCO ANY RESIDUAL VALUE?AFTER THE TICKET IS EXCHANGED WOULD BE LOST.?--------------------------------------------------?RESIDUAL VALUES FOR THESE FARES MAY ONLY BE?REFUNDED TO VOUCHERS. IF VOUCHER IS NOT ISSUED?THESE FARES ARE 100 PERCENT NONREFUNDABLE?AFTER DEPARTURE?TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.?NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.?UNFLOWN FARE COMPONENTS MAY BE CHANGED PRIOR TO?SCHEDULED DEPARTURE. CHANGES TO UNFLOWN FARE?COMPONENTS AFTER TIME OF SCHEDULED DEPARTURE ARE?NOT PERMITTED.

Hey all, similar question as OP. Total B6 noobie!

I paid the extra $45? for refunding privileges on my UIO - FLL. However, I want to change the payment card. Up to how far before departure am I allowed to cancel for the full refund?

Site seems a little unclear. Thanks!

This is to update this thread with new info on the fare rules. I have tried again today to book JetBlue fully refundable fares and the fare rules are updated and clearly indicated that there is no penalty and the fare is fully refundable to the original form of payment. The confirmation e-mail and manage booking screens now also indicate refundability. I am much more comfortable now booking fully refundable fares with JetBlue.

I would note that not all flights have the option. You do need to select BlueExtra to get the option but sometimes it is not available. The flights where I did not see the option were high demand dates such as the Sunday following Thanksgiving. So it appears JetBlue is unwilling to offer this option that is reasonably priced on flights they have high confidence of selling out. This makes sense from a business perspective.

Convenient post, thanks! Just trying to figure this out myself today!

Does anyone know if there is a cut off time before a flight where you wouldn’t be able to cancel and get a refund? I’m traveling with a short connection and the only flight going to my city if I miss my connection is a JetBlue one. I’m considering purchasing a refundable ticket, because even with the added expense I’d be happier to get home. However, I may not be in the position to make this call earlier than 1 hour before the flight.

Your question is answered here: https://www.jetblue.com/help/refundable-fares

Oh thank you. Have no idea why I couldn’t find that.