JetBlue Offering Unlimited Travel

Travelers to Europe are probably familiar with the Eurail pass, which gives a tourist unlimited train travel for a designated number of days for a flat fee. Here in the States, JetBlue has come up with a similar idea, selling an “All You Can Jet” pass that lets you fly anywhere for $599. The promotion ends on August 21 and you must do your traveling between September 9 and October 8. Given those restrictions, some consumer advocates debate whether the deal will save you a lot of money.

Any scenario that would benefit from the JetBlue pass would probably include multiple trips, since some airline analysts believe that you’d need to take a minimum of three during the one-month window to save more than the price of the pass. Business travelers who fly frequently, therefore, are the ones most likely to save money. You might be able to save, however, by taking just two trips. For example, a doctor who combined travel to a medical convention with a vacation at a different destination would probably see some savings. For other travelers, the pass may not be worth the price.

The JetBlue pass also has some unusual requirements. You have to join the airline’s loyalty program and book travel three days in advance, for example, and you must close the deal by phone, not online, including buying the pass and booking your travel. You also face some harsh penalties if you’re a no-show -- failing to call to change or cancel a flight could mean losing any remaining trips on your pass. On the other hand, there are no blackout dates; if there’s a seat available, you can buy it. Tip: Plan your travel, research fares, and make sure you understand any restrictions before you lay out your money.