JetBlue Fare Families' Unpublished Cut

UPDATE: JetBlue reached out to me and said that this was an oversight and that the policy has not changed.

@GlobeTrotScott @WandrMe An oversight on the help page actually. It's being updated as we type.

— JetBlue (@JetBlue) July 7, 2015

So I guess we can put the pitchforks away.

Original story below:

For many years JetBlue had a tremendously customer-friendly fare drop policy. If the fare on a purchased ticket decreased a customer could simply call in and get a travel credit back for the difference. In August of 2014 that policy changed. The new policy was that such changes were only permitted within 14 days of purchase. Yes, still better than many other carriers but a significant cut from the prior, unlimited option.

Last week’s introduction of Fare Families included adjustments to the change fee structure. The published bit of the change talked to the new, tiered structure for “normal” change fees. But what it left out is that the “fare drop” benefit is now completely gone. Only digging into the help section of the site reveals the new details:

Honoring the Lower Fare

In the event that a fare on a JetBlue-operated flight decreases after purchase, customers may rebook travel at the lower fare on the same flight to receive a credit for the difference in fare.

The following fees apply to honor the lower fare, depending on which fare you purchased:

Blue – $70

Blue Plus – $60

Blue Flex – No fee

Any difference in fare will be returned in the form of a JetBlue credit, good for one year from the date of issuance.

If Booked PRIOR to June 30, 2015

If you booked prior to June 30, 2015 and are now rebooking within 14 days of purchase and prior to departure, there is no fee to honor the lower fare found on a JetBlue-operated flight. There is a $75 fee associated with honoring a lower fare on tickets exchanged 15 days or more from the original purchase date. There is no charge to honor lower fare for bookings made prior to August 14, 2014.