SAA launches new frequent flyer programme with JetBlue Airways

South African Airways (SAA) has launched a new frequent flyer partnership with JetBlue Airways in North America, providing expanded mileage earning opportunities for SAA's Voyager members.

Effective immediately, Voyager members will be able to earn mileage credits on flights across JetBlue’s expansive network of destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America, while JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn TrueBlue points on SAA’s entire network where SAA is the operating carrier. The two airlines plan to introduce a redemption programme for award travel for members of their respective frequent flyers during the first quarter of 2015.

“South African Airways is delighted to build upon the successful commercial partnership that we established with JetBlue over five years ago, by offering enhanced benefits for both our customers through our respective frequent flyer programmes,” said Suretha Cruse, SAA Executive Customer Loyalty. We are pleased to offer our valued Voyager members new mileage earning opportunities when they fly SAA to New York or Washington, DC, and onto JetBlue destinations throughout their network and welcome JetBlue’s TrueBlue members on the award-winning services of SAA.”

SAA operates the most flights between South Africa and the U.S.A, with a daily service from its Johannesburg hub to New York-JFK International Airport and Washington, DC-Dulles International Airport. Convenient onward connections are offered with JetBlue between New York and Washington, DC, and 86 destinations throughout their route network in the Americas. In Africa, SAA flights between Johannesburg and New York and Johannesburg - Washington, DC connect with 24 cities throughout the African continent.

“We are pleased to add a world-class airline like South African Airways to our loyalty programme. Our TrueBlue members can now earn points when they fly on South African Airways’ flights from the U.S. or anywhere on their network. We look forward to continuing to expand our partnership with SAA,” said Robin Hayes, President, JetBlue.

As code share partners, SAA’s “SA” code is on JetBlue operated flights between New York and Washington, DC and 18 other cities in the U.S., including popular destinations such as, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Denver. Customers purchasing a code share itinerary will benefit from having a single ticket combining SAA and JetBlue operated flights, as well as the convenience of competitive pricing, one-stop check-in and through baggage transfer, with allowance of up to two free pieces of checked baggage.