Whether it is a bargain or not may be up to the individual traveler to ascertain, but one thing is certain: You won't find JetBlue's new BluePass available in global distribution systems.
The new JetBlue BluePass unveiled today can be purchased online only here on JetBlue.com and all bookings must be made online, as well.
Similar in some respects, but not all, to the JetBlue All You Can Get Jet Pass implemented in 2010, the JetBlue BluePass offers unlimited travel for three months at a range of prices from Boston or Long Beach, Calif., to select markets.
The BluePass actually comes in three varieties: Boston All (Boston to any JetBlue destination for $1,999), Boston Select (to 13 JetBlue cities for $1,499) and Long Beach Select (to nine JetBlue cities for $1,299).
The offer expires Aug. 31 (or until JetBlue runs out of passes) and travel is good for Aug. 22 to Nov. 22, 2011.
The BluePass flights will be available for booking Aug. 15, although the passes were available for purchase starting July 28.
Purchasers must be members of the JetBlue TrueBlue loyalty program and they receive points for purchasing the passes.
BluePass holders can book up to 90 minutes before a flight, can make changes to BluePass reservations without penalty and would get charged a $100 no-show fee only when they don't appear for a reserved flight twice within seven days.
JetBlue characterizes its BluePass as a U.S. "industry first."
Airlines have long criticized the GDSs for not having the flexibility to handle merchandising in innovative ways, and the BluePass may be another case in point.