JetBlue goes after Delta customers, sends message to Southwest

Published 7:19 am Thursday, October 12, 2023

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Delta Airlines made a major mistake. The airline made changes to its Delta SkyMiles loyalty program that customers saw as devaluing the miles members had earned.

That’s a slap in the face to loyal customers who generally make sacrifices in order to remain loyal to one airline enough to earn status perks. A customer who took a less convenient flight or paid a little more in order to earn loyalty points toward gaining a higher status level tends to get mad when airlines make even small changes.

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When that happens, it opens a door for rival carriers to go after customers. Sometimes that’s just done through price or people no longer being quite as loyal because they feel jilted by a company they were once devoted to. 

In the case of Delta’s recent changes, JetBlue (JBLU) – Get Free Report has decided to get aggressive. It is offering to match Delta customers’ loyalty status, but they only have until Oct. 31 to claim the deal.

“For a limited time, Delta SkyMiles Medallions can join the JetBlue family with an exclusive offer to match their status to Mosaic. Once your status is matched, it will be valid until 12/30/23, and you can then keep that status through 2024 by completing a challenge.” JetBlue shared on its website, which laid out which levels match each other.

JetBlue has also made the deal a little bit better, while subtly calling out chief rival Southwest Airlines LUV, by adding new perks to its TrueBlue Mosaic frequent flyer loyalty program.

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Delta has devalued some of the perks of its loyalty program.

Image source: BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

JetBlue adds new loyalty perks

Southwest and JetBlue are both value-based carriers that operate using similar business models. They are not ultra-low-fare airlines like Spirit or Frontier, but they’re generally a better value than traditional full-fare carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines.

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Southwest Airlines sometimes offers customers ways to earn status faster in its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, but the perks offered to those customers have been stagnant for years.

In its effort to entice Delta customers and enhance TrueBlue Mosaic, JetBlue is also putting out a carrot for Southwest customers. JetBlue has rolled out a number of new perks that should be enticing to travelers.

  • New for all Mosaics: Avis Status Match: Skip the counter and enjoy complimentary vehicle upgrades when available. Mosaics can enjoy elite status with Avis. Coming later in 2024.
  • New for Mosaic 3 & 4: Dedicated Mosaic 3 & 4 Support: Enjoy next-level customer service with a priority support phone line for Mosaic 3 & 4 members.
  • Improved for Mosaic 3 & 4: Move to Mint: Starting January 4, 2023, choose to redeem your Move to Mint certificate(s) in advance by heading to JetBlue’s website after booking a flight in Core. 
  • New for Mosaic 4: Gift Mosaic: Gift Mosaic 1 status — and all the Signature Perks that come with it—to the TrueBlue member of your choice

TrueBlue Mosaic perks are tied to earning “Tiles,” which customers accrue at a rate of 1 for every $100 spent with the airline and 1 per $1,000 spent on a JetBlue credit card. It takes 50 tiles to earn Mosaic 1 where perks start to be earned. 

Even people who earn the first level get checked bags for free (a very meaningful perk) and early boarding. They also get access to priority baggage and check-in lines at airports that offer those things. Mosaic 1 members (and up) also get free alcoholic beverages onboard and access to “Even More Space” seats if any remain at check-in time.

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Higher levels in the program get perks like getting “Even More Space” seats for free at booking (Mosaic 2) and the ability to move to “Mint,” (essentially business class) pending availability (Mosaic 3).

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