If you are a frequent flyer, having elite status with an airline you frequent, such as JetBlue, can make your travels more comfortable, efficient, and seamless. However, since earning elite status with any individual airline often requires a significant commitment of travel time and money, it is important to weigh the benefits and perks against the drawbacks of that program before funneling your business to one program or airline. For some individuals who are airline free agents, it may not make sense to pursue elite status at all. This guide will evaluate JetBlue Mosaic status and explain how the status tiers work, how to earn them, and if striving for this status is even worth the effort for the JetBlue flyer.
JetBlue rewards the most frequent flyers in its TrueBlue loyalty program with Mosaic status each year in addition to the TrueBlue points they earn while flying the airline. Unlike the legacy U.S. carriers, which offer complimentary upgrades on domestic flights to their most loyal members, many of JetBlue’s aircraft are not equipped with its luxurious, well-regarded Mint cabin. Instead, JetBlue elite status members benefit from earning bonus points, selecting Even More Space seats, and getting free checked bags, among other benefits.
There are different tiers of Mosaic status that JetBlue offers based on how loyal you are to the airline, which includes factors such as flying the airline as well as credit card spending. Your JetBlue Mosaic status begins when you pass the required threshold and is valid for the rest of that calendar year and the entirety of the following year. So, if you reach the status requirements in June 2024, you will hold the status through Dec. 31, 2025, giving you a year and a half to benefit from the perks.
TrueBlue is free to join online, and all members start at the “basic” level. While the program previously only offered a single tier, this all changed last year when JetBlue instituted changes to its TrueBlue program and Mosaic elite status. Beyond the basic level, the four published tiers of JetBlue elite status are: Mosaic 1, Mosaic 2, Mosaic 3, and Mosaic 4. The differences among the tiers are based on the amount you fly and spend with JetBlue. As you fly more with JetBlue and/or utilize a cobranded credit card (among other activities), you can move up in the program.
JetBlue uses a single metric – tiles – for Mosaic status qualification purposes. Tiles can be achieved in one of two ways: through qualifying spending on JetBlue flights and vacations or with JetBlue credit cards. You earn one tile for every $1,000 spent on JetBlue flights and vacations or with JetBlue credit cards. This means that you can reach JetBlue Mosaic status entirely through credit card spending, entirely by making purchases with JetBlue, or with some combination of the two. Choosing between the two provides JetBlue flyers a lot of flexibility to earn Mosaic elite status in the best way.
The four tiers of JetBlue elite status are earned by reaching the following tile thresholds:
– Mosaic 1: 50 tiles, earned exclusively by JetBlue travel spending of $5,000 or JetBlue credit card spending of $50,000.
– Mosaic 2: 100 tiles, earned exclusively by JetBlue travel spending of $10,000 or JetBlue credit card spending of $100,000.
– Mosaic 3: 150 tiles, earned exclusively by JetBlue travel spending of $15,000 or JetBlue credit card spending of $150,000.
– Mosaic 4: 250 tiles, earned exclusively by JetBlue travel spending of $25,000 or JetBlue credit card spending of $250,000.
Again, though, you can leverage a combination of the two methods to reach Mosaic status. For example, $3,000 in JetBlue flights (30 tiles) plus $20,000 in card spending (20 tiles) gets you Mosaic 1 status, or $5,000 in JetBlue flights (50 tiles), $3,000 in Paisy purchases (30 tiles), and $30,000 in card spending (30 tiles) gets you Mosaic 2 status.
While earning your way to the Mosaic 1 threshold, TrueBlue basic loyalty members enjoy “Perks You Pick” – a selection of benefits you pick when you earn 10, 20, 30, and then 40 tiles. These options include early boarding with Group B (except Blue Basic fares), priority security, free inflight alcoholic drink (up to three drinks per flight), double bonus points on a JetBlue Vacations package (one-time use only), and 5,000 TrueBlue bonus points. Note that these are one-time selections, so you can’t pick 5,000 points at all four thresholds.
Once you hit 50 tiles, you’ve officially earned JetBlue status. Mosaic 1 status is the lowest elite tier in JetBlue’s program, where you will receive 3 bonus points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights, priority boarding, first two checked bags free, beer, wine, and liquor (up to three drinks per Mosaic member per flight), even more space seats at check-in at no extra cost, same-day switches with no fee or fare difference, priority security (where available), dedicated check-in lines and phone support, Heathrow Express upgrades to Business First, and Avis status match (expected to be rolled out in 2024).
Mosaic 2 status offers all of the same perks as Mosaic 1, in addition to select even more space seats at booking at no extra cost. Mosaic 3 status unlocks additional benefits such as four certificates that allow you to upgrade to Mint business class for no additional cost (subject to availability; the number of upgrade certificates depends on the flight length) and dedicated Mosaic 3 and 4 phone support (coming later in 2024). Mosaic 4 status provides everything mentioned above, as well as two additional certificates that allow you to upgrade to Mint business class for no additional cost (pending availability) and four one-way Blade helicopter transfer credits between Manhattan and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It also allows you to gift Mosaic 1 to the TrueBlue member of your choice, coming later in 2024 (these members don’t receive a Perks You Pick selection, 5,000-point bonus, or JetBlue Vacations bonus).
Once you reach Mosaic 1, and each time you level up through JetBlue elite status, you can choose an additional perk from the Perks You Pick menu, which includes complimentary FoundersCard Blue membership, pet-fee waiver, $99 one-time statement credit for JetBlue Plus or Business credit cards, 20-tile bonus to boost your earnings toward the next status tier (or you can gift 20 tiles to someone else), 15,000 TrueBlue bonus points, Mint Suite priority access to select the best seats (pending availability), and IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status (coming later in 2024).
JetBlue has three credit cards, all issued by Barclays, that can help you earn JetBlue Mosaic status. The JetBlue Plus Card is best for frequent JetBlue flyers and offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. It earns 6 points per dollar on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The annual fee for this card is $99.
The JetBlue Card is geared towards casual JetBlue flyers and offers a sign-up bonus of 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days. It earns 3 points per dollar on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. This card has no annual fee.
The JetBlue Business Card is designed for small-business owners and offers up to 60,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days and 10,000 points when a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days. It earns 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and office supply stores, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The annual fee for this card is $99.
Earning JetBlue Mosaic status through credit card spending can be a viable option for those who don’t fly frequently but still want to enjoy the perks and benefits of elite status. However, it’s important to consider the opportunity cost of spending on a JetBlue cobranded credit card. You may earn more points by putting your expenses on a transferable points card that earns bonus points on dining, travel, or other popular categories. American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are generally more valuable than JetBlue points due to their expansive lists of transfer partners.
In conclusion, JetBlue Mosaic status can offer a range of benefits and perks to frequent flyers who are loyal to the airline. Whether it is worth the effort to strive for this status depends on your travel patterns, spending habits, and personal preferences. It is important to carefully consider the costs and benefits of the program before committing to it. For some travelers, the perks and conveniences of elite status may greatly enhance their travel experiences, while for others, the investment may not be worthwhile.