Frustrated by lack of Mint upgrades for Mosaics
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: JetBlue
Posts: 1

I had a horrendous experience where the non-Mosaic passenger infront of me was upgraded because his TV was broken. There were empty seats. And I was the Mosaic on the plane. Half of the Mint cabin was empty. The economy class was so full that I couldn't even upgrade to Even More Space.
Typically, when seats are sold out, they upgrade the highest paying Mosaic (this has happened to me 2x in 4 years) - a less than 2% chance
The more I learn about other programs, the more I realize that business class upgrades are standard in comparable loyalty programs. Understandably so, flying a lot is hard.
As much as it pains me, I am considering other programs to transfer into - I love everything else about JetBlue so even the research is a drag.
Has anyone been part of other loyalty programs? What was your favorite? Delta seems to be a fav?
Typically, when seats are sold out, they upgrade the highest paying Mosaic (this has happened to me 2x in 4 years) - a less than 2% chance
The more I learn about other programs, the more I realize that business class upgrades are standard in comparable loyalty programs. Understandably so, flying a lot is hard.
As much as it pains me, I am considering other programs to transfer into - I love everything else about JetBlue so even the research is a drag.
Has anyone been part of other loyalty programs? What was your favorite? Delta seems to be a fav?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA PLT, B6 Mosaic, UA Gold, Bonvoy Plat, Le Club Accor Silver, Hertz 5 Star
Posts: 1,660
I have comparable status on both AA and UA, and have had top tier status on both. At this point upgrades are few and far between on all the legacy airlines, particularly if you don't have the highest level of status (EXP or 1K) -- personally, I'd much rather have benefits I can count on (e.g. free changes with Mosaic) vs. lottery tickets (upgrades on the legacy airlines). As PLT on AA I get upgraded on maybe 1 out of 20 flights (better than your 2% on JetBlue but not a lot better). Overall I am happier with the benefits of Mosaic than either PLT or Premier Gold on UA, and go out of my way to renew it to a greater extent than I do with the other two.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 23,232
I had a horrendous experience where the non-Mosaic passenger infront of me was upgraded because his TV was broken. There were empty seats. And I was the Mosaic on the plane. Half of the Mint cabin was empty. The economy class was so full that I couldn't even upgrade to Even More Space.
Typically, when seats are sold out, they upgrade the highest paying Mosaic (this has happened to me 2x in 4 years) - a less than 2% chance
The more I learn about other programs, the more I realize that business class upgrades are standard in comparable loyalty programs. Understandably so, flying a lot is hard.
As much as it pains me, I am considering other programs to transfer into - I love everything else about JetBlue so even the research is a drag.
Has anyone been part of other loyalty programs? What was your favorite? Delta seems to be a fav?
Typically, when seats are sold out, they upgrade the highest paying Mosaic (this has happened to me 2x in 4 years) - a less than 2% chance
The more I learn about other programs, the more I realize that business class upgrades are standard in comparable loyalty programs. Understandably so, flying a lot is hard.
As much as it pains me, I am considering other programs to transfer into - I love everything else about JetBlue so even the research is a drag.
Has anyone been part of other loyalty programs? What was your favorite? Delta seems to be a fav?
What was so horrendous??? you got what you paid for nd since there was a problem with the other passengers seat (IFE) they were given the only type of seat available Mint. You want a Min seat pay for it and its yours, no ifs , ands or buts. No crew is gonna start playing games by telling the person with the service issue ,OK Im gonna have to find out if there are any Mosaics aboard if yes who paid the highest fare and put them in Mint and you will take their seat. If no Mosaic then find out who paid the highest fare
Should a Mosaic on a $99 fare get the Up or a non_mosaic say on a $599 fare, answer is whhat was done put the passenger with the problem into the available seat which in this case was a Mint seat
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 49,295
You have described an OPUP. E.g., the other passenger was upgraded for the operational convenience of B6.
But, what you want isn't going to happen on premium services and if you jump ship to another carrier, it won't likely happen there either.
But, what you want isn't going to happen on premium services and if you jump ship to another carrier, it won't likely happen there either.
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,204
Also, the idea that you got the seat you paid for is a "horrendous experience" is an interesting stretch.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,122
Upgrades are incredibly rare and not a perk of being Mosaic. I'm sure you survived this "horrendous ordeal". 
I'm sure OP will vanish in the mists after their vent post but welcome to FlyerTalk nonetheless.

I'm sure OP will vanish in the mists after their vent post but welcome to FlyerTalk nonetheless.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 3,885
But you can't upgrade with points. This is actually what frustrates me. They could make it as expensive as they want (in points), and actually earn some revenue that way. I don't fault them for not doing op-ups.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL Silver, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold, National Executive
Posts: 127
It also frustrates me that B6 does not let you pay for Group A boarding without buying EMS.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: B6, UA, DL
Posts: 179
That is frustrating. I know when I buy a regular seat with $, I do have the option to use points to upgrade to EMS. I didn't realize you couldn't do that from regular to Mint.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 23,232
B6 it seems at least bet JFK & LAX has no problem usually filling up Mint, so why should they discount it by allowing pts to be used for Upgrading, and is probably why you need more pts per $ if using pts for the res
that said I have a r/t pts res for next weekend cost me 15,800 r/t, I couldnt get a 1 way on DL,UA or AA for that and a few months ago I used 11,600 r/t
The unknown is what if anything will change when they start up with London, my gut tells me it will remain as is no ups to Mint using pts
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 3,885
The new interior reduces seat pitch in Y, so this will continue to get worse, as time goes on.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL GM, UA, B6, AA, WN, AS, AGR
Posts: 4,182
This is not true. There is an opaque determination/process for op-ups that results in a Mosaic getting it most of the time, but Mosaic status is actually not a factor when the system selects a passenger for the op-up.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL KM, B6 Faux-saic, Bonvoy Gold, RHG Gold, Hilton Gold, Natl Exec, Avis PC, Greyhound Road Rwds
Posts: 7,388
#15
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 3,885