Get Mosaic Status Through 2017 with JetBlue's Latest Match/Challenge

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Update 6/8/16: JetBlue has extended this offer through June 30, 2016, so if you haven't applied yet, there's still time!

Update 5/6/16: We've heard reports that more than 2,500 people applied on Thursday, and that JetBlue has five employees processing requests manually, so there may be a bit of delay before you receive your match. Additionally, you may be eligible for a match as the beneficiary of a Southwest Companion Pass, in addition to the primary pass holder.

JetBlue's really been stepping up its game recently, with a handful of new (and pretty fantastic) credit cards, new Mosaic perks like free drinks and cheap upgrades, plus a big Mint expansion set to roll out over the next two years. The new JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card make it more rewarding to fly JetBlue even if you don't have elite status, with perks like 6 extra points per dollar on flight purchases, a free checked bag and 50% off in-flight purchases, but having Mosaic status will make your experience even better.

Through May 31, 2016, JetBlue is offering an opportunity to match or challenge to earn Mosaic status. If you don't have elite status currently, you can enter the Mosaic Challenge, at which point you'll have 90 days to earn 3,750 base flight points — you earn 3 base points for every eligible dollar spent on JetBlue-operated flights, so you'll need to spend $1,250 (plus taxes and fees) in order to qualify. A discounted round-trip Mint flight ($1,199) will get you almost all of the way there. If you meet the requirements, you'll then have Mosaic through December 31, 2017. Note that you won't earn the regular 15,000 bonus points through this promotion.

As for the match, JetBlue will grant you Mosaic if you have any of the follow statues:

• Virgin America Elevate: Silver, Elevate Gold
• Alaska Airlines: MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75k
• American Airlines AAdvantage: Platinum or Executive Platinum
• Delta SkyMiles Medallion: Gold, Platinum or Diamond
• Southwest Airlines: Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred or Companion Pass
• United MileagePlus: Premier Gold, Platinum or Premier 1K
• Emirates Skywards:‎ Silver, Gold or Platinum

Once you match, you'll be entered into the challenge automatically. You'll need to meet the same requirements outlined above, otherwise your status will expire at the end of this year.

We value Mosaic status at $1,495, assuming you fly JetBlue quite a bit. Earning Mosaic normally requires 30 segments plus 12,000 base points or 15,000 base points (you earn 3 base points per dollar spent on airfare). To calculate the estimated $1,495 value, TPG Senior Points and Miles Contributor Nick Ewen based his numbers on earning 18,000 base points, so a total of $6,000 in spending. Here's how the perks break down, from Nick:

• Waived change and cancellation fees ($400): One of the unique benefits of Mosaic status (in comparison with the other programs we’ve already considered) is that you won’t pay any change or cancellation fees on both revenue and award bookings. This also extends to travelers on the same reservation, though you’ll still need to pay any difference in fare to change to the new flights. Depending on which of JetBlue’s new fare options you book, you’ll save anywhere from $60 to $150. Naturally, the value of this benefit will depend on how frequently you need to change flights and whether you regularly travel with others on the same reservation.
• Two free checked bags ($250): Another perk of Mosaic status is two free checked bags on all JetBlue flights. The carrier used to offer a free bag to all travelers but now includes a fare option (Blue) without a checked bag. If you book this lowest fare as a Mosaic member, you’ll save $20 on the first bag and $35 on the second bag. Like the other baggage fee waivers I’ve already covered, the value here depends on how frequently you need to check bags.
• Earning bonus ($215): Mosaic members will earn an additional 3 TrueBlue points per dollar spent on airfare, so with $6,000 spent during the year, that’ll get you an additional 18,000 points. Assuming a valuation of 1.2 cents per point, you’re looking at a value of $216.
• Qualification bonus ($180): In addition to earning these bonus points on all flights, you’ll also enjoy a one-time bonus of 15,000 TrueBlue points when you qualify for Mosaic status, worth $180.
• Priority security and boarding ($200): Mosaic members can also enjoy Even More Speed security at designated airports and also are among the first to board.
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages ($150): One of the nice in-flight perks for Mosaic members is that you’ll enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages, a new benefit that was just announced back in December. This isn’t a single drink (like the benefits offered to other carriers’ elites when they aren’t upgraded) but rather extends to the entire flight. These drinks usually cost $6-$9, so depending on the length of your flight, this could be quite a lucrative benefit.
• Priority phone line ($100): You also have a dedicated phone line as a JetBlue Mosaic member, a perk that comes in handy when you’re facing inclement weather or other irregular operations.

As you can see, if you plan to fly JetBlue, you can get tremendous value from this status level, especially if you also have the JetBlue Plus Card or JetBlue Business Card. The terms don't explicitly prevent previous participants from matching again, but the T&Cs do states that "JetBlue will have the right to deny any application or to refuse entry into the Challenge or to deny Mosaic status to anyone, in JetBlue's sole discretion."

Will you be matching to JetBlue Mosaic?

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