JetBlue is offering American Airlines Executive Platinum, Concierge Key and Delta Platinum, 360 members a status challenge I can’t say no to.
Status Match, Challenge
JetBlue has rolled out a status match for competing carriers to its markets. Significant change in the market is afoot, and as covered extensively on this site, particularly at JetBlue and now United. Elite status holders have an opportunity to match to Mosaic 1 or Mosaic 2 depending on their current status level.
Of interest, those that hold Delta Air Lines Medallion Diamond or Delta 360, and American Airlines Aadvantage Executive Platinum and Concierge Key members can take an expedited shortcut to reach Mosaic level 4. To do so, those flyers must earn 50 tiles (equivalent to $5,000 spent on JetBlue flights or Paisly packaged holiday products or $50,000 on a JetBlue credit card through the end of the year)
Challenge Accepted, Maybe
I applied for this challenge upon learning of it and have waited for acceptance of my credentials before posting. However, the promotion runs out in just eight more days and though I have not had my account matched, I didn’t want to wait any longer to share with our readers. As of publication, I have no status despite submission of my documents and will reach out to them early this week if they have not begun my challenge or formally denied me for some reason (I don’t know what it would be, I genuinely meet the criteria.) My assumption is that they are simply backed up with applications.
High Value, Possible Easy Path
For those flying back and forth from Europe, either on their own dime this summer or for their company, hitting $5,000 on a business class roundtrip isn’t a huge feat. But for small business owners, or those with large expected purchases using the JetBlue credit card from Barlcays is a easy button approach. The easiest, in my eyes, is a combination of tiles earned from generally flying and augmented with spend.
Some have reported Barclays issuing smaller than usual credit limits which could pose a challenge to this plan. In my own case, my JetBlue card has an 86% lower credit limit than the card I applied for directly before that card and approximately the same from the one applied for after (Chase the former, Capital One the latter.) In my own case, should I choose to primarily earn from spend, it will be a challenge just to accrue and then clear the balance in the denominations under my limit fast enough, time really could be of the essence for me.
If I am successful, (6) Move-to-Mint certificates would be worth the hassle alone, as well as the additional TrueBlue miles in my account. That is entirely worth the Barclays struggle if confirmed admittance to the challenge.
Do I Need It? No. But I Can’t Pass It Up
I already hold American Airlines Executive Platinum status and that gets me where I am going generally, the rest I am able to do on miles with little resistance. I don’t need Mosaic 4 status with JetBlue but it could be convenient for a few reasons. For one, recently more convenient flights have been added from key airports for me and my family. Additionally, I have travel plans to Boston, New York, and from Fort Lauderdale later in the year.
Further, the United tie-up presents an interesting secondary play. While we have yet to see what that program will look like in full effect, I can move American Express Membership Rewards points to JetBlue and thus secure an indirect access to United. If status is reciprocally recognized as suggested. this also enhances my opportunities on United which adds significant value to my overall travel experience.
Conclusion
This challenge, offered so broadly but for a limited window, is a great way to introduce flyers to what JetBlue has to offer. Targeting specifically those at American and Delta is even wiser especially at the top end of those programs. I do hold some concern given the timeline and my lack of confirmation to this point that I personally will be added. As I have no reason that disqualifies me from the challenge, I am concerned others may face significant delays as I have that may exclude them from admittance at all. I am sure that JetBlue wants as many competing flyers as it can get, so I trust this is a short lived inconvenience rather than a strategy.
What do you think?
If you don’t need it , then why do it ?
As an AA EXP, I can resist it. That’s because I wouldn’t fly that airline if you put a gun to my head. If it’s death or B6, death wins every time.
I applied and received a confirmation the next day. Unfortunately, you need to follow the instructions to the T – the confirmation email or BP must show your status, name and truncated account number. The AA mobile BP only shows status and/or number, but not both on the same screen.