AA and B6 create strategic partnership
Feb 21, 2021, 10:00 am
#61
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 325
There’s overlap on BOS-JFK, JFK-LAX, JFK-LAS, and JFK-SFO. Hope they will have their lie flat seats (Mint or Flagship) equipped planes on the last three routes.
Per VFTW, reportedly the full codeshare is intended to eventually be quite a bigger: from BOS, ATL, BNA, BUF, BWI, CLE, DEN, DTW, IAH JAX, JFK, LAX, MCO, MSP, PBI, PIT, RIC, RSV, SAV, SEA, SFO, SLC, TPA all on B6, and DCA, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD on AA (no CMH, at least per this internal document). Selfishly, that maps onto my 'normal' flying much better, so an encouraging datapoint pending further implementation kinks (pilots' union, timing, ability to buy certain nonstop routes as codeshares).
May 26, 2021, 7:11 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
this seems pretty important for this deal
JetBlue Delivers New Customer Benefits Under Northeast Alliance With Ability to Earn TrueBlue Loyalty Points on American Airlines Flights
Now you can earn miles on all the AA flights and vice versa (with the exception to TATL stuff)
JetBlue Delivers New Customer Benefits Under Northeast Alliance With Ability to Earn TrueBlue Loyalty Points on American Airlines Flights
Now you can earn miles on all the AA flights and vice versa (with the exception to TATL stuff)
May 26, 2021, 7:43 am
#65
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
May 27, 2021, 12:18 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
I was going to say, one of the main reasons why AA is doing this NEA with B6 is for the ability to draw B6 customers onto its intl network. If they couldn't earn TB credit for those flights, it makes it much harder (although still possible with a B6 codeshare on such a flight). On the other hand, AA not allowing earnings on TATL flights on routes which are operated by both AA and B6, I understand due to the JV/ATI AA is a part of with BA/IB/AY/EI.
May 27, 2021, 12:50 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
It's unfortunate that so many points are still tied up in the JetBlue.com booking bonus. A lot of AA flights will have significantly lower earnings because they're not bookable through jetblue.com.
If we assume AA miles and B6 points have about the same value, then you end up with this decision tree:
For a base member in either program:
AA EXPs actually earn significantly more on JetBlue than Mosaics — 11 miles/$ versus 9 points/$ for Mosaics.
Platinum Pros break even compared to Mosaics for JetBlue flights (9 miles or points/$) but don't have to worry about where they book.
AA PLTs are at a slight disadvantage to Mosaics on B6 metal (8 miles/$ vs 9 miles/$) or codeshares, but are ahead on AA metal not bookable on AA.com (8 miles/$ vs 6 miles/$). The same holds true for GLDs, with one less mile.
I'm anxious to see what reciprocal elite benefits look like, but I'm struggling to see why anyone who flies enough to qualify for AA PLT Pro would stick with True Blue, and I think you could argue that the added benefits of AA PLT would be enough to offset a ~11% shortfall. I think in practice, AA miles are probably worth slightly more, and certainly offer more flexibility.
If we assume AA miles and B6 points have about the same value, then you end up with this decision tree:
For a base member in either program:
- JetBlue flight, booked through jetblue.com: better earnings on JetBlue (6 points/$ vs 5 miles/$)
- AA flight, booked through jetblue.com: better earnings on JetBlue (6 points/$ vs 5 miles/$)
- AA flight, booked through aa.com: better earnings on AA (3 points/$ vs 5 miles/$)
AA EXPs actually earn significantly more on JetBlue than Mosaics — 11 miles/$ versus 9 points/$ for Mosaics.
Platinum Pros break even compared to Mosaics for JetBlue flights (9 miles or points/$) but don't have to worry about where they book.
AA PLTs are at a slight disadvantage to Mosaics on B6 metal (8 miles/$ vs 9 miles/$) or codeshares, but are ahead on AA metal not bookable on AA.com (8 miles/$ vs 6 miles/$). The same holds true for GLDs, with one less mile.
I'm anxious to see what reciprocal elite benefits look like, but I'm struggling to see why anyone who flies enough to qualify for AA PLT Pro would stick with True Blue, and I think you could argue that the added benefits of AA PLT would be enough to offset a ~11% shortfall. I think in practice, AA miles are probably worth slightly more, and certainly offer more flexibility.
May 30, 2021, 5:18 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
[QUOTE=dtremit;33283699
AA EXPs actually earn significantly more on JetBlue than Mosaics — 11 miles/$ versus 9 points/$ for Mosaics.
Platinum Pros break even compared to Mosaics for JetBlue flights (9 miles or points/$) but don't have to worry about where they book.
AA PLTs are at a slight disadvantage to Mosaics on B6 metal (8 miles/$ vs 9 miles/$) or codeshares, but are ahead on AA metal not bookable on AA.com (8 miles/$ vs 6 miles/$). The same holds true for GLDs, with one less mile.
[/QUOTE]
AA has always taken much better care of its top elites than B6 to their Mosaic members.
AA EXPs actually earn significantly more on JetBlue than Mosaics — 11 miles/$ versus 9 points/$ for Mosaics.
Platinum Pros break even compared to Mosaics for JetBlue flights (9 miles or points/$) but don't have to worry about where they book.
AA PLTs are at a slight disadvantage to Mosaics on B6 metal (8 miles/$ vs 9 miles/$) or codeshares, but are ahead on AA metal not bookable on AA.com (8 miles/$ vs 6 miles/$). The same holds true for GLDs, with one less mile.
[/QUOTE]
AA has always taken much better care of its top elites than B6 to their Mosaic members.
Jun 1, 2021, 10:18 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
JetBlue has also arguably been a better choice for mid-tier elites, but after the changes this year (devaluation of EMS-for-points, free changes across the board, etc.) I'm not convinced that is the case anymore.
Perhaps both of these anticipate a more attractive, revamped Mosaic program, but I'm skeptical.
Jun 3, 2021, 1:57 am
#73
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Jun 4, 2021, 2:34 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
I don't have any great desire for a tiered program, but in the past 18 months changes to Mosaic and the industry have taken it from being a great deal to IMHO almost worthless. I would be interested in a more rewarding status, whether it be as an improvement of the existing program, or a higher tier with better benefits.