Instant Purchase?
 

My company doesn't allow us to use Jetblue for corporate travel. The reason given is that our approval process requires us to reserve a flight, then get travel approval, then purchase the flight. B6 only does instant purchase, and thus can't be used (ditto VX fwiw). Policy change aside, is there any way to deal with this? We're a Cliqbook customer, which B6 supports otherwise.

Use the Western Union Pay With Cash option at checkout, if that is available. That holds the reservation so that you can complete it at a WU branch office. Once you get approval you should be able to log back in and change the payment to a credit card. I do that with CO all the time and it works quite well.

Very interesting idea. How long will the Western Union Pay with Cash option last before the reservation is automatically canceled? Also, are there any penalties if you fail to make it to a WU Branch office to actually pay?

Interesting information, but all reservations must be made through Cliqbook.

The rez is held until midnight the following day, though in CO-land midnight is actually 5pm for some reason. No penalty and the reservation just disappears if you haven't ticketed it in time. And you should be able to "change your mind" and just pay with a CC without any issues.

Nothing I can do to help you there. Sorry.

Very cool. Thanks for the info. Do you know if this option will also work if you need to book through the CompanyBlue website?

Does JetBlue still have CompanyBlue? If so, is that an option with CompanyBlue?

Yes. They do. I just went and checked and yes, it IS an option! Here is the exact language:

"When paying with cash, your reservation will be held until 11:59 p.m. MT on Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 (e.g. the next day). You will have until that time to complete your purchase at any Western Union location or your reservation will be cancelled. A Western Union service fee of $9.95 USD will apply within the U.S., $19.95 CAD within Canada, and $15.00 USD anywhere else. To find a Western Union location near you, click here. "

What about being able to book and pay at a later time with CompanyBlue without using Western Union?

I don't see any way of booking and paying later through the CompanyBlue site without using the Western Union approach.

Does anyone else know of a way to do this?

It would be my suggestion to call 800JETBLUE Monday-Friday and ask to speak to a companyblue supervisor, they may be able to help you. (There is a department, so I imagine there's a supervisor ;))

Thanks for the suggestion although I was just trying to help Seat13c--I don't actually need to book and pay later using CompanyBlue. :)

Remember, it goes beyond helping just you but reaches to all the lurkers and other readers out there. Its what FT is all about.