JetBlue is now accepting Venmo payments. Should you use it?

Jetblue ticket counter at Long Island MacArthur Airport where flights from the airport. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
JetBlue announced this week that it will now accept Venmo payments, a first for the airline industry. The new arrangement has many advantages but also a few uncertainties, especially for travelers who live for their credit card’s bonus points.
With the addition of Venmo, a popular peer-to-peer payment app, JetBlue passengers now have seven ways to purchase plane tickets, including PayPal, the parent company of Venmo and Pay Later. The other options are credit cards, TrueBlue points redemption, JetBlue travel credits and Apple Pay.
The newest payment option is available on JetBlue’s website and will be added to its app in the coming months. For now, it applies only to bookings, not in-flight purchases.
"It’s not a complete revolution, but I do like that JetBlue is trying a lot of different things," said Clint Henderson, managing editor of the Points Guy. "They’re really trying to appeal to a leisure traveler, a younger traveler. This is not for the corporate business traveler."
A handful of other travel-related businesses accept Venmo, such as Booking.com, Uber, Lyft, Fetii and Southwest’s onboard food and beverage service.
Carol Clements, JetBlue’s chief digital and technology officer, said in a statement that the arrangement offers passengers "modern, digital platforms" with flexibility. Customers can pay with Venmo "cash," such as reimbursements from dining companions and happy hour cohorts, or through linked bank accounts, debit cards or credit cards.
Also this week, the airline announced a new seating category, EvenMore, starting Tuesday. The second-highest tier after Mint will include such perks as dedicated overhead bin space, extra legroom, priority security, early boarding, free alcoholic drinks and a premium snack. Henderson compared the new tier to premium economy.
How to Venmo a plane ticket
For Venmo users, the process is as easy as purchasing tikka masala on Uber Eats.
"It’s fairly straightforward," Henderson said.
On JetBlue’s website, passengers can find the Venmo option under "More Payment Options" in the "Review and Pay" section. Click on the icon and a QR code will appear. Scan that and your Venmo app will open with the fare amount. Choose your preferred way of paying: available funds, bank account, credit card or a mix of the above.
"Now I don’t have to go downstairs to get my credit card. I can just pay through my phone, which is in my pocket," said Sally French, a travel rewards expert with NerdWallet. "That makes it really convenient."
If you pay from your Venmo reserves, you may feel as if you scored a free plane ticket, because you won’t see a charge on your credit card bill or a withdrawal from your bank account.
"It’s just psychologically different from when you’re paying from your actual bank account," French said.
Venmo can also keep the peace among friends and family who vacation together but pay separately. With Venmo, a group of travelers can reimburse the short straw who got stuck footing the bill for all the plane tickets.
"Venmo has a group feature that allows you to more easily split payments and can make it easier to get paid back by your friends," French said.
Will you get bonus points? Unsure.
Reaping the benefits of your travel credit card is less certain.
Clements said JetBlue credit card members will earn the same amount of points as if they had booked directly on the carrier’s website. JetBlue Plus Card members, for instance, will collect six points on the dollar.
Venmo, which offers protection on eligible purchases, says people who use a linked credit card may earn points affiliated with that card, subject to the card issuer’s terms and conditions. The company said it may cover trip cancellation and will issue a refund if the airline cancels the flight.
Henderson, however, is a bit wary and advises people who rely heavily on their card’s extras not to jump on Venmo just yet.
"Sometimes these payment methods don’t trigger the bonus category points that you would normally get," he said. "For people who are really knowledgeable about maximizing their points most, I would wait."
French also cautions impulsive shoppers. The ease of booking a plane ticket without any pause for reflection could lead to a serious case of buyer’s remorse.
"In that moment of getting off my couch and going to get my credit card, I might reconsider: ‘Do I really need to book this flight?’" she said. "That pain of paying is sometimes a good thing."
Fortunately, the 24-hour cancellation rule also applies to airplane tickets purchased through Venmo.