Sweet spot alert: Book this business-class lie-flat seat to Germany using Citi or Chase points
Editor's Note
JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program has added a new redemption option, opening one of the best-value transatlantic business-class sweet spots available.
Thanks to a partnership with Condor, you can now redeem TrueBlue points for lie-flat seats to Germany starting at just 54,000 TrueBlue points one-way, plus taxes and fees.
If you have Citi ThankYou Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, this is a redemption you need to know about.
How much does it cost to book Condor flights to Europe with points?
From Condor's North American gateways, JetBlue TrueBlue members can now book nonstop business-class awards to Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
- From New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): 54,000 TrueBlue points plus $14.10 in taxes and fees
- From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): 54,000 points, plus $60.60 in taxes and fees
- From other North American gateways, including Miami International Airport (MIA), Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Portland International Airport (PDX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC): 99,900 points plus $14.10 in taxes and fees
This makes the Northeast flights the best value option — but even at 99,900 points from the West Coast, Florida or Alaska, this can be cheaper than other programs that price flights dynamically.
Cash fares for Condor business class typically range from $1,200 to $3,500 one-way, depending on dates, meaning you can save thousands by redeeming TrueBlue points.
Related: Why this airline you might not have heard of yet could be your best ticket to Europe
What can I expect flying Condor?
Condor's Airbus A330-900neo aircraft feature a refreshed business class in a 1-2-1 layout with lie-flat beds and direct aisle access, plus friendly and efficient service.
For those who want a bit more privacy and space, the airline sells special "Prime" seats in the front row. It's a surprisingly decent product for a European leisure carrier, and their quirky route network provides plenty of nonstop flights to Germany.
Related: Condor Airlines business class: Are Prime seats worth it?
What is the best way to earn JetBlue TrueBlue points?
TrueBlue is a transfer partner of several major credit card programs, but not all issuer currencies transfer at a 1:1 rate.
Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards programs both offer 1:1 transfers to JetBlue's TrueBlue program, which makes them the most efficient way to reach that 54,000-point sweet spot.
Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to TrueBlue at a 250:200 rate, so you'd need closer to 67,500 points for the same ticket. Capital One miles transfer to TrueBlue at 5:3, requiring 90,000 miles. That's why Citi and Chase are your most lucrative transfer options.
Here are the best welcome offers to earn rewards that you can transfer to JetBlue's TrueBlue program at a 1:1 rate to book Condor flights to Europe:
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees): Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Check out TPG's full list of the best Chase credit card offers here.
Bottom line
JetBlue's new Condor partnership is one of the best-value ways to get to Europe in business class with credit card points. At 54,000 TrueBlue points and low taxes and fees from the East Coast, it beats the usual 60,000-point benchmark set by the popular Flying Blue program and avoids the painful surcharges that plague many other programs.
With Citi and Chase points transferring 1:1 and big welcome offers currently available, this sweet spot is well worth targeting for your next European trip.
Related reading:
- On board Condor's inaugural Airbus A330neo to NYC — in a swanky new business-class product
- Condor premium economy A330neo review: Is it worth the extra cost?
- There's a snazzy new 'business class plus' cabin on an airline you've probably never heard of
- It's going to be easier for LA travelers to get to European destinations this summer on Condor