CIBC Caribbean - JetBlue Select Card

The Verdict: Worth It for Families and Frequent Travelers

The CIBC JetBlue Select Card justifies its BBD $199 annual fee through instant premium benefits: first checked bag free for you + 3 companions, worldwide airport lounge access, and 4x points on JetBlue purchases. For families taking even one trip per year, the first bag savings alone (BBD $560+) pays for the card multiple times over.

How You Earn

Points (for booking flights):

• 4x points on JetBlue purchases (flights, vacation packages)
• 1x point on all other purchases
• USD $1 (or BBD $2) = 1 point

Bonuses:

• 30,000 points after first purchase (within 90 days)
• 10,000 points anniversary bonus each year
• Points never expire
• 300,000 point cap per calendar year

Tiles (for elite status perks):

• 1 tile per USD $1,000 (BBD $2,000) in spending
• Unlock perks at 10/20/30/40 tiles
• Mosaic elite status at 50 tiles (BBD $100,000/year)
• Tiles reset annually

Premium Benefits

First Checked Bag Free (You + 3 Companions):

• Applies to first checked bag only per person, per flight
• Value: USD $35 per person, per flight (BBD $70)
• Family of 4 on one roundtrip: USD $280 savings (BBD $560)
• This alone exceeds the BBD $199 annual fee

Airport Lounge Access:

• LoungeKey network worldwide
• Complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi
• Value: USD $30-50 per visit (BBD $60-100)

Travel Protections:

• Rental car collision coverage
• Trip inconvenience insurance
• Flight delay protection
• Purchase protection (90 days)
• 24/7 Concierge service

Real Earning Example

Typical card user (BBD $2,000/month spending):

*Year 1:*

• Welcome bonus: 30,000 points
• Annual spending (BBD $24,000 ÷ 2): 12,000 points
• Total: 42,000 points
• Tiles earned: 12 tiles = 1 perk unlock

*Ongoing years:*

• Annual spending: 12,000 points
• Anniversary bonus: 10,000 points
• Total: 22,000 points annually

Point value: 42,000 points = 2-3 roundtrips BGI-NYC (off-peak) or 1-2 roundtrips (peak demand) in Year 1.

Point Redemption

JetBlue uses dynamic pricing based on demand. BGI-NYC direct roundtrips typically range from 14,000-32,000 points depending on travel dates and demand.

Point value: USD $0.007-0.016 per point (BBD $0.014-0.032) depending on season and route.

Check current pricing at JetBlue TrueBlue.

Who Should Get This Card

Yes, if you:

• Fly JetBlue 2+ times per year
• Travel with family/companions (first bag savings multiply)
• Value airport lounge access
• Spend BBD $2,000+ annually on JetBlue flights (4x earning maximizes value)
• Want premium benefits without earning through spending

No, if you:

• Fly JetBlue once per year or less
• Travel solo, carry-on only
• Don't value lounge access
• Prefer the no-fee JetBlue Card

Select vs. Regular JetBlue Card

Get Select Card (BBD $199 fee) if:

• You fly 3+ times per year
• You travel with companions (first bag savings multiply)
• You value lounge access
• You spend BBD $2,000+ on JetBlue annually

Get Regular Card (no fee) if:

• You fly 1-2 times per year
• You travel solo
• You don't need lounge access
• You want rewards without annual fee pressure

The Honest Math

For families (4 people, 1 roundtrip/year):

• First checked bag savings: 8 bags × USD $35 = USD $280 (BBD $560)
• Annual fee: BBD $199
• Net value: BBD $361 from first bag benefit alone

For frequent solo travelers (3 roundtrips/year):

• First checked bag savings: 6 bags × USD $35 = USD $210 (BBD $420)
• Lounge visits: 6 × USD $40 = USD $240 (BBD $480)
• Annual fee: BBD $199
• Net value: BBD $700+ before point earnings

For light travelers (1 roundtrip/year, solo):

• First checked bag savings: 2 bags × USD $35 = USD $70 (BBD $140)
• Annual fee: BBD $199
• Net value: Negative unless you highly value lounge access

Important Notes

First checked bag only: The benefit covers only the first checked bag per person. Additional bags incur standard JetBlue fees.

Blue Basic fares (JetBlue's cheapest) don't include:

• Seat selection
• Early boarding
• Same-day changes

Book regular Blue fares or higher for full benefits.

Lounge access: LoungeKey network only. Check the LoungeKey app for participating lounges at your destination.

Foreign Exchange Consideration

In Barbados, there's a BBD $20,000 annual limit on foreign currency purchases. If you reach this limit, you can apply for a replenishment or increase at forex.centralbank.org.bb.

Maximize Your Value

1. Activate welcome bonus immediately (first purchase = 30,000 points)

2. Use for all JetBlue bookings (4x points vs 2x on regular card)

3. Travel with companions (first bag free for up to 3 people maximizes savings)

4. Use lounge access strategically (long layovers, delays, early flights)

5. Book during lower demand periods (can save 50%+ in points vs peak)