JetBlue Will Finally Add Lounges, But Mosaic Benefits Hit With Major Downgrades

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JetBlue announced today that they will finally add airport lounges, something that has been sorely lacking for an airline that has tried to break into the Transatlantic market.

I flew from JFK to Paris in JetBlue business class last December using Avios. Even with a devaluation since then, the flights are a bargain (78K Avios, or 60K points with a 30% transfer bonus) and availability is excellent. However, the lack of a lounge is a huge negative compared to just about every other airline.

In late 2025, JetBlue will open a lounge in JFK’s T5, followed soon afterward by a lounge in Boston’s Terminal C.

JetBlue will sell an annual lounge membership, Mosaic 4 members and a guest will have access, transatlantic business class passengers will have access, and JetBlue will launch a club credit card for access.

Starting 3/1/25, Mosaics on basic economy fares will no longer be eligible for even more space seats, seats in preferred locations, or free same-day changes. That’s a huge downgrade for Mosaic members.

In another downgrade for top-tier Mosaics, free Blade helicopter transfers will no longer be available. If you have Blade credits expiring in 2025, you’ll need to transfer them to your Blade account by 12/31/24 or else they will be forfeited.

On the plus side, starting on 1/1/25, Mosaics with Move to Mint certificates can use them by the expiration date for future travel instead of travel by the expiration date, though changes still won’t be allowed after the expiration date.

In 2025, you will also be able to earn 2 more Move to Mint certificates for every 100 tiles earned after 250 tiles.

You need between 1-4 Move to Mint certificates to upgrade your flight, when logged in, you can see the requirement for certificates when you search for flights.

Here’s a refresher on the Mosaic program:

You earn 1 tile for every $100 spent on JetBlue flights, most extras and fees, and vacation packages. You earn 1 tile for every $1,000 spent on JetBlue cards.

Mosaic 1 requires 50 tiles, Mosaic 2 requires 100 tiles, Mosaic 3 requires 150 tiles, and Mosaic 4 requires 250 tiles.

• Mosaic 1 benefits:
  • 2 bags, 70 pounds each, are free for you and your companions.
  • Free Inflight Beer, Wine & Liquor (ages 21+. Up to three drinks)
  • 5,000 bonus points
  • Free same day flight changes for you and companions (Eff. 3/1/25, not available on basic economy fares)
  • Mosaic check-in, security, and boarding for you and companions
  • Even More Space at check-in for you and companions. (Eff. 3/1/25, not available on basic economy fares)
  • Preferred Core Seating. (Eff. 3/1/25, not available on basic economy fares)
  • Dedicated Support Line and Priority Chat Assistance
  • Complimentary upgrade to Business First on the Heathrow Express train

• Mosaic 2 benefits include the above and:
  • Even More Space at booking for you and companions
• Mosaic 3 benefits include the above and:
  • 4 one-segment space available MINT upgrade certificates
  • A top-tier phone line for Mosaic 3 and Mosaic 4 members

• Mosaic 4 benefits include the above and:
  • 2 additional one-segment space available MINT upgrade certificates
  • Effective 1/1/25, earn 2 additional one-segment space available MINT upgrade certificates for every additional 100 earned tiles, starting at 350 tiles.
  • Gift Mosaic 1 status to a friend.
  • Lounge access with a guest in Boston and JFK (Effective late 2025)
  • 4 one-way BLADE Airport helicopter transfers between Manhattan and JFK or EWR (Ends 12/31/24)

JetBlue also allows non-Mosaics to select benefits after they reach every 10 tile thresholds.

• They can choose from the following perks (limit 1 of each perk for year) at every 10 tiles collected:
  • Group B boarding on every flight you take for you and companions
  • Priority security on every flight you take for you and companions
  • 3 free inflight alcoholic drinks
  • 5,000 bonus points
  • 2X points bonus on a JetBlue Vacations package (one-time use)

Mosaic members will also be able to select Perks You Pick (limit 1 of each perk for year) at every Mosaic tier that they qualify for, starting with Mosaic 1 qualification.

• Perks You Pick include:
  • FoundersCard Blue Membership
  • Pet Fee Waiver ($125 value) on every flight you take
  • $99 one-time statement credit for JetBlue Plus or Business Card, valid once per year.
  • Boost your TrueBlue balance with 15,000 bonus points.
  • Mint Suite® Priority for you and companions
  • IHG Platinum status
  • Get or gift a 20-tile boost to get to the next level—and more perks—faster.

Perks earned are valid until the end of the following calendar year, regardless of when you select which perk you want. You can’t change your perk once you select it. Perks aren’t transferrable, except for the Mosaic 20 tile gift.

These are all nice benefits, though JetBlue’s Achilles’ heel is their lack of partner airlines and alliance, especially with the loss of American as an elite reciprocity partner. JetBlue’s operational reliability is also not what is used to be. The program’s other problem is the lack of first class on most JetBlue flights, making elite status less compelling than what other airlines have to offer. However, with other airlines selling more of their first class seats for cash, maybe this isn’t a big differentiator, though it’s still an aspirational part of elite status.

Of course, it’s worth mentioning that you can status match from Alaska, American, Delta, or United to JetBlue, which is a nice little shortcut to status. Sadly, the match is  capped at Mosaic 2, with the potential to earn Mosaic 3.

What do you think of these changes?

HT: lakewood34, via DDF