Earlier today I wrote about JetBlue’s new basic economy fares, which they’ll market as Blue Basic.
The restrictions are pretty much as expected, but apparently some Mosaic members got the mistaken impression from this morning’s email that their benefits were being eliminated from regular fares as well, so JetBlue just send out another email with a chart showing that Mosaic members will only be penalized if they purchase the basic economy fare.
Mosaic status doesn’t come with the benefits that other airlines give. You don’t get to select extra legroom seats, though Mosaic members can use a relatively small amount of points to book them. You don’t get upgrades to business class, even if there are empty seats. You don’t get club access. You don’t get better award availability. The main benefits are 2 free checked bags and that you can cancel and change your tickets without charge.
JetBlue isn’t allowing any cancellations or changes on basic economy tickets, and that applies to Mosaic members as well. They can’t even use their same day standby benefit or select seats.
It’s a surprisingly harsh treatment of their Mosaic members and it shows just how much JetBlue doesn’t want their Mosaics to book these fares.
Many Mosaic members must have emailed JetBlue, as they sent out the following clarification email,
Following our announcement of new fare options this morning, we want to tell you more about how they will work with your Mosaic benefits.
First, we want to assure you that you can still count on waived change and cancel fees for you and your eligible travel companions on all Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint fares.
We’ve highlighted in blue below how you can continue to enjoy your Mosaic benefits across all fare options:
Several readers have told me that they plan on giving up their Mosaic status due to these changes. It’s probably worth letting JetBlue know exactly how you feel as well via Twitter and email.
Will you work to retain your Mosaic status?
HT: Cactus Rabbi
Leave a Reply
24 Comments On "JetBlue Reminds Their Mosaic Elite Members Just How Poorly They’ll Fare If They Purchase Basic Economy Tickets"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
i dont see why its a reason to give it up, just keep on booking the fares you used to book…
The fares you used to book will be reclassified as basic fares over the coming weeks. You’ll have to spend more to get your benefits.
Can you monitor the pricing on some routes and make a post.
Basic will probably be cheaper than Blue. I don’t see what is changing. It’s not difficult to get $50k on the Jetblue card. Nice to have fees waived and be able to use points to get seats. Free booze isn’t bad either.
No, basic will be applied to the cheapest fares and you’ll spend more to buy Blue.
It may not be difficult, but there’s a large opportunity cost as $50K on another card is worth much, much more than 50K JetBlue points.
That’s exactly what happened 24 hours after I booked a flight.Good thing we beat the change
Good call Dan. That’s exactly what happened 24 hours after I booked a flight. Good thing we beat the change.
If you fly with children on basic they wont let you select seats together?
Thanks
YMMV:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/airlines/airline-news/jetblue-launches-basic-economy-fares/
For the same of the uninitiated, can you add to the post how Mosaic status is attained? Points? Or is it purchased?
Either from flying or spending $50K annually on a JetBlue card.
For sure give up. Thats not worth a Penny.
Clearly southwest left ewr too soon
Been a mosaic for four years, the same day change flexibility is a benefit that I will either pay for with the higher fare or leave JetBlue. The question is how much more will the flexible fares be.
Parenthetically, I like how the chart highlights that as a Mosaic you would never ever have any reason to pay for Blue Plus.
I was a mosaic member last year and they almost always upgraded my seat to business or extra legroom when I checked in.
I think it’s their unofficial policy to upgrade if a available at check in.
Upgrade to extra legroom at checkin is common, though to Mint is not.
@dan I booked a flight today and they only had blue basic and blue extra. So I couldn’t do the economical route and get a blue or even blue plus seat. Only had 2 options not 4 (mint wasn’t for this flight. By doing this, I would have to pay the highest fare for my cancellation or change benefits which was over $100 higher than the Basic which was the only other option.
I wouldn’t be as frustrated as I am now if they had all 4 or 5 options on every flight. I called JetBlue and they said some flights might not have all options…
This was a JFK to FLL
“It’s a surprisingly harsh treatment of their Mosaic members and it shows just how much JetBlue doesn’t want their Mosaics to book these fares.”
Why is it harsh? Which airline gives their elites any benefit on basic?
Simply put – you have to pay a higher price to utilize your key mosaic benefits (change fees and reduction of points required for extra leg room).
All of the airlines are punishing their elites with basic fares.
JetBlue’s is worse because their benefits are primarily the free change and cancel policies that other airlines don’t have.
I Have 30 /30segments and 11060/12K Real miles, I have no time this year to complete the 12k do you know what can I do?
pretty much the cheap rates that was once Blue and now Blue Basic and Blue are now high in price
So if you book blue basic with mosaic you can’t choose your seats?