American Airlines and JetBlue have begun offering reciprocal benefits for loyalty program members.

As of Oct. 13, qualifying members of both American’s AAdvantage and JetBlue’s TrueBlue programs receive such benefits as priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and security lines when traveling on both airlines. 

Qualifying members of either program also will get two free checked bags with either airline. The free baggage allowance on JetBlue is available when checking in at kiosks, ticket counters or the JetBlue mobile app, while on American it currently is available only at the ticket counter. It will be available through all American check-in channels “soon,” according to the carrier.

Next month, AAdvantage members will be able to redeem their miles for JetBlue flights through American’s website and reservations line. The carriers also plan to begin allowing reciprocal preferred seating benefits for loyalty program members “in the coming months,” American chief customer officer Alison Taylor said.

JetBlue and American Airlines began offering reciprocal loyalty program accrual earlier this year as a part of their Northeast Alliance. The alliance currently is facing a civil antitrust suit from the U.S. Department of Justice and seven state attorneys general, though both carriers have contended that the alliance is meant to stimulate, not stifle, competition.

Source: Business Travel News

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