JetBlue Airways unleashes perks for dogs, cats

JetBlue Airways today, Dec. 15, starts rolling out the red carpet, or jetway, for pets and their two-legged seat buddies by piling on frequent-flier points and selling snazzy carriers co-designed by New York Post gossip maven Cindy Adams.

Of course, you’ll still pay $100 each way, or $200 round trip, to transport Spot or Whiskers under your cabin seat—pretty much the going rate on airlines—but at least when you go Blue, your pet will help earn its keep.

The most valuable feature of JetBlue’s new JetPaws program is that you earn two bonus frequent-flier points on each flight when your pet travels with you. (Pet owners already earn double mileage, just like fliers who book online, even though they must make the pet arrangements by phone, explained JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Croyle.)

There’s other fun stuff, like access to an e-guide that shows pet-welcoming hotels and other places in the budget carrier’s destinations, which include Long Beach, Calif. The new pet carrier, which like the old one sold by Jet Blue costs $45, is imprinted with pet travel tips {”Don’t X-ray me”—yipes!), and there’s a pet travel kit too ($25). Think your pet looks like you?  Enter the JetPaws photo contest to win a free trip.

Many fliers love JetBlue, even though it charges for things like blankets and pillows. I’ve enjoyed its cheeky style and seatback TVs.

What do you think of JetBlue?

—Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor

Photo: A four-legged flier checks out the new JetBlue pet carrier. Credit: JetBlue Airways

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This entry was posted on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 7:07 am by Jane Engle and is filed under Airline travel, Business Travel, Celebrity, Frequent Flier, Los Angeles, Luxury Travel, New York, News, Tips & Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.