How to Fly JetBlue Mint for Less Than Economy Prices (Yes, Really)

If you’ve ever walked by those sleek lie-flat JetBlue Mint seats and thought, “Damn, maybe one day…” — guess what? That day might be way sooner than you think.

JetBlue Mint is hands down the best domestic business class experience you can get in the U.S. We’re talking lie-flat seats, upscale meals, full-size pillows, actual service that doesn’t feel like a chore — and you don’t need to be rich to fly it. You just need to know how to work the system.

Let’s break down exactly how to fly Mint for less than what a lot of people spend on economy.

What You Actually Get with JetBlue Mint

Mint is JetBlue’s version of business class, and it goes way beyond what the big legacy airlines offer domestically. Think of it like this: Delta One vibes but without the pretentious price tag.

Here’s what’s included:

Lie-flat seat with full privacy and aisle access
Gourmet tapas-style meals (from NYC’s Delicious Hospitality Group)
Amenity kit, premium snacks, and alcoholic drinks
Priority check-in, boarding, and 2 free checked bags
Seatback entertainment and free Wi-Fi

They even give you a Tuft & Needle blanket and pillow. It feels more like a boutique hotel in the sky than a domestic flight.

The Secret to Booking JetBlue Mint with Points

JetBlue uses a revenue-based points system. That means the number of TrueBlue points needed for a flight is directly tied to the cash fare — but Mint redemptions can be a killer deal if you know when to look.

Use JetBlue TrueBlue Points

If you have TrueBlue points (or transferable points from Chase, Amex, or Citi), you can book Mint flights for way less than expected.

Mint seats start around 38,000–60,000 points one-way
That often includes flights that cost $499–$899 in cash
Value per point ranges between 1.3¢ and 1.6¢ — really solid

You can transfer:

Chase Ultimate Rewards (from Sapphire Preferred or Reserve)
Citi ThankYou Points
American Express Membership Rewards

Always transfer only when you’re ready to book — these are one-way transfers.

Mint Hack: Pay Cash, Then Reimburse with Points

Sometimes, the cash fare for Mint is low — especially on transcon routes during midweek or off-peak months. If you book those using a premium travel credit card, you can pay yourself back with points.

Let’s say you find a Mint seat for $349 one-way JFK → LAX.

Use Chase Sapphire Reserve, then redeem 23,266 points (at 1.5¢/point)
Or use Capital One Venture and erase the charge with 34,900 miles (1¢/mile)
You can even use Amex Platinum’s 35% rebate when booking through Amex Travel (with 1.54¢/point value)

If the fare is good, this strategy gives you full flexibility without fighting for points availability.

Mint Routes to Target for the Best Value

Some JetBlue Mint routes are sneaky-good value and often overlooked. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Route	Mint (pts)	Avg Cash Price	Best Time to Book
JFK → LAX	38k–55k	$399–$649	60+ days out
BOS → SFO	42k–58k	$429–$689	Tue–Thu flights
JFK → Aruba	44k–60k	$499–$799	Midweek winter
MIA → LAX	36k–52k	$379–$599	Shoulder seasons

Look for flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and avoid holidays or spring break.

Last Tips to Lock in Mint Deals

Set up Google Flight alerts or use Point.me to track availability
Book with JetBlue Vacations — you can sometimes get Mint bundled with hotels for less
Don’t sleep on Amex Insider Fares when using Membership Rewards
Watch for Mint Flash Sales (they’re rare, but they happen)

Final Word: Is JetBlue Mint Worth It?

If you like flying in style and want to use your points smartly, this is one of the best redemptions in U.S. travel. Mint is luxurious, efficient, and can make a cross-country flight actually enjoyable. And with the right strategy, it won’t cost you more than economy.

Why get squished in seat 27B when you can be laying flat, sipping rosé?

Links to my favorite travel tools:
🧳 My Ultimate Travel Planner on Etsy
🗺️ Instant download version on Gumroad

The Ultimate Guide to Hyatt Credit Cards (2025 Edition)

Mr. Beef

I’m Mr. Beef—a credit card junkie, deal hunter, and points hoarder with a taste for luxury travel on a budget. I break down hacks, strategies, and no-fluff money tips so you can live big without spending big. Steak rare, flights first class, costs low. Let’s get you there.