No more Blade helicopter rides: JetBlue scraps unique Mosaic elite status perk
JetBlue made a major splash last week when it revealed that it will open its first-ever airport lounges in New York and Boston, a move that will bolster the allure of top-tier elite status in its TrueBlue loyalty program.
But there are also a couple of cutbacks coming to Mosaic status, JetBlue revealed, including the elimination of one of the more unique elite status perks currently offered by any U.S. airline.
The end of 2024 will spell the end of JetBlue’s Blade helicopter benefit, the New York-based carrier said in an email to customers.
Plus, starting in 2025, JetBlue will remove some of the leniency afforded to Mosaic members traveling on a no-frills Blue Basic ticket, including free access to its extra legroom seats.
Here’s what to know about the upcoming changes.
JetBlue Mosaic Blade perk to end
Currently, TrueBlue members with top-tier Mosaic 4 elite status receive credits for four one-way transfers on Blade’s choppers between Manhattan and either New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The perk offers Mosaic elite members hundreds of dollars in annual value, and — as Northeast travelers know all too well — potentially hours of traffic avoided by taking the five-minute chopper ride.
But this perk will end after 2024, JetBlue said in an email to TrueBlue members.
If you have Blade credits, don’t worry — but do read carefully: You can use your credits beyond 2024. However, you’ll need to transfer those credits to your Blade account by Dec. 31, 2024, or they’ll be forfeited.
A Mosaic 4 'give-and-take'
Removing the Blade perk seems to represent something of a give-and-take for the Mosaic 4 status tier.
While Mosaic 4 elite members will lose Blade as a perk of the status, they'll get complimentary access to JetBlue’s forthcoming lounges at JFK and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), which are slated for opening in late 2025. (Transatlantic Mint passengers and cardholders of a soon-to-be-announced premium JetBlue credit card will also get free lounge access.)
Related: A look at Chase's splashy Sapphire Lounge in Boston
Tightening Blue Basic rules
Also announced as part of JetBlue’s TrueBlue program tweak: a few added restrictions for basic economy passengers — specifically, elite status members traveling on a basic ticket.
Beginning March 1, 2025, Mosaic members traveling on Blue Basic fares will lose some of their perks and flexibility.
Mosaic members will no longer be eligible for free Even More Space seats, free preferred seats or free same-day switches.
Those three benefits are signature perks for all Mosaic members. In the past, they've also offered Mosaic passengers an avenue to pay less for a Blue Basic ticket while still skirting some of the restrictions most customers face when flying on a basic fare.
That “loophole,” of sorts, will end in 2025.
There’s a give-and-take theme to this change, too: Just a few weeks ago, JetBlue loosened the Blue Basic restrictions for all passengers by allowing those customers a free full-size carry-on bag.
Additional Mint upgrade certificates
There was a bit of positive TrueBlue news beyond the new lounges last week.
Mosaic 4 members will earn two Move-to-Mint certificates for every 100 Tiles they earn beyond Mosaic 4 qualification.
That’s in addition to the four certificates you get as a Mosaic 3 member and the two more you earn when reaching Mosaic 4.
Keep in mind, though, that JetBlue did shift to a dynamic redemption model for Mint upgrade certificates in 2024, so the number of certificates you’ll need for an upgrade can vary from one flight to another.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.