This is a fairly significant change, and they've just made it...

I would not pay more for JetBlue over, for example, Delta or Alaska Air. Even as a Mosaic, most of the benefits are nonexistent right now outside of bonus points.

Yes, JetBlue has free wi-fi, better legroom, and DirecTV (that usually works). Unfortunately they are still plagued with weather and mechanical delays.

This is why I booked Delta (that and they were cheaper). I have a meeting next Wednesday on Zoom from 7-8 and I conveniently scheduled a layover in Detroit so I can get dinner and join from the terminal (instead of rushing home from LGA to make it in time). There were no JetBlue options to JFK or LGA that fit my schedule unless I wanted to leave in the morning.

-J.

wider seats, faster and free wifi, a new IFE that will be on most of the fleet in a couple of years as E90s retire, A220 that will eventually become 1/3 of their fleet.

I don't see OTP to be an issue for a while. Industry capacity out of the northeastern corridor will be down for a long time. For example, yesterday they were at around 90% on time across the system.

We will see about Mosaic. I expect some bigger changes coming once the AA deal goes through.

jest as much as you will. In an environment where everyone is running below their capacity, OTP really isn't the issue it was a while back. And who knows how long it will be before airlines run into issues with crowded Northeastern corridors again.

They may still be tinkering with changes, but let's all be honest. Mosaic has been--by far--the weakest elite program offered in the US for years. It's got two great benefits: free cancellation (kind-of) & confirmed changes within 24 hours of flights and both are now being offered to all travelers in some degree by the major carriers. The irony that they're killing a 'benefit' of using fewer points for EMS seats that's given for FREE to elite members in other programs during this downturn seems crazy to me. I was expecting B6 to go the other way and announce something like 2 round-trip Mint upgrades for Mosaic members in 2021. That would match them better with their competition and it's unlikely Mint will be utilized much during at least the first-half of 2021 anyway.

The partnership with AA is even more of a bummer. Both because B6 is partnering with the worst of the Big 3, but also because--by comparison--even AA has better elite offerings (free EMS seat selection at booking).

I'll give B6 until Jan. 1 to figure out what they're doing with Mosaic, but if they don't take back this reduction, I'm gone come January. I really don't want to look for a new primary FF program, but it's truly bizarre that B6 would be cutting elite benefits at a time they badly need their elite members to stick around!

My guess is they are moving to a multi tiered system. The current level is permanently cheapened (in perks and qualification criteria) and the higher level will have additional perks. It would line up better with what their new partner has. After all, you don't get free EMS with AA gold.

We will see what happens.

I think the only reason this thread isn't blowing up is that the vast majority of Mosaic members aren't flying right now and don't know about this stealth devaluation.

I still can't believe B6 is devaluing their elite program right now. And even if they are working on a multi-tiered Mosaic program for 2021, it's STILL crazy for them to be cutting benefits now! Adding an additional tier of Mosaic should be aimed at fixing the large gap between B6 and top-tier at AA, DL & UA. That should mean added perks for a higher-tier (more bonus points, free EMS at booking, free Mint upgrades...etc.) not gutting the few benefits currently offered! For the record though, I think it's a mistake for B6 to create elite tiers. Outside of NYC, BOS, LAX, FLL & SFO their Mosaic numbers are really small. Adding a second elite tier (rather than just adding benefits for all Mosaics) because of 5 markets seems extremely foolish. If they were to cap Mint earning, so you can't get Mosaic after ~4 flights, then do that...but why further drive away your top-tier customers right now?

Perhaps they already left. *cough*

-J.

The EMS seats were nice at a discount, but the main benefit for Mosaic for me is still free changes. The legroom on EMS seats is nice, but really the seat width is what makes it more comfortable, and it's the same for most seats. The upgrade that I'd really want with miles (Mint) isn't an option, and the Wifi is the same throughout the aircraft as well. I don't see this changing how I fly once I get the opportunity to travel again.

Just plunked down another 2,300 points for an EMS seat for next week. My main alternative is UA, where as being "gold" I can get a "preferred" seat for free. They also have no change fees over at UA. My choice for B6 on this particular flight was due to when a meeting was to end, and when I could get to the airport. The drivel about the Mosaic 15K annual points/and bonuses compensating for the EMS is laughable; I will use over 15K+ points in 2 months on EMS. B6 is also increasing its seating density as of today; the pricing with UA is the same. It's now a toss-up for me as to which carrier to use, while previously I chose B6. My first B6 flight was in 2000.

B6 if your goal was to weaken your competitive position while raising a few bucks, you've succeeded.

I love Jetblue but I really cannot understand this at all .With everyone getting free cancellation/redeposit why devalue the benefit of Mosaic now. It really makes no sense at all,I will still fly B6 whenever convenient but I will also look at AA as B6 is giving me no reason to keep giving them most of my travel business.

You do. AA Gold gives you Main Cabin Extra at check-in and main cabin preferred at all times.

Really bizarre move from B6. A very mediocre program to begin with that's become near worthless.

JetBlue only begrudgingly has any sort of loyalty program beyond earning and redeeming miles. Part of that is IT related... And part of that was old JetBlue think where everyone should be treated the same and that treatment should be better than the US3. I think JetBlue doesn't care much that a few Mosaic members care that everyone is getting some of the benefits of Mosaic without being Mosaic, and I think they'd rather have $50 for the EMS seat than a Mosaic redeeming miles for it, or being assigned it at the gate.

A bigger problem is what can a ULCC/LCC elite tier really get someone? I think the most likely change in the future, when revenue picks up, is allowing Mosaics to select a EMS seat at 24 hours prior to departure. I very much doubt that there will ever be any sort of free Mint upgrades for Mosaics.

Including now on Basic Economy fares. They still don't earn EQM, but it's a nice option for a road warrior's occasional family vacation.

To be fair as someone who flew aa exclusively for a while, preferred seats on aa is just a regular seat. Having the ability to select that seat never did anything for me. And for gold, waiting until check in means you probably don't have good mce seat left on most flights. I'd much rather have aisle seat vs middle seat with 3 inch more room.

And most importantly, I found regular seat on JetBlue to be better than mce.

I left AA for JetBlue a few years ago, and I agree with you. That said — AA does offer all that for free, and B6 doesn't. With B6 now basically charging Mosaics cash prices for EMS, I'm equally able to buy extra legroom aisle seats on AA, UA, DL, or whoever if it's a priority for me.

I also suspect 2019 was a low point for a while for upgrade availability of all sorts. Free MCE at check-in may be a lot more valuable for the next few years than it's been in the past, particularly on shorter routes where you're a bit more willing to gamble. (And of course a lot of Mosaics would be Platinum on AA.)

I can also imagine that if I were someone with kids, being able to enjoy benefits on basic economy fares might make a big difference in the vacation budget — even if it's only the ability to preselect normal seats together for free.