Why I’m still doing the viral JetBlue challenge after a devaluation

In case you missed it, JetBlue recently made a significant update to the grand prize for its viral 25-for-25 challenge.

The New York-based airline is devaluing the perks that come with its entry-level Mosaic 1 status, which you earn if you fly to 25 unique JetBlue destinations between June 25, 2025, and the end of the year.

JetBlue 25-for-25 challenge update

While I understand that loyalty programs evolve, it’s frustrating to see JetBlue change the benefits associated with the grand prize while the challenge is still underway.

Personally, the reduction in companions for the EvenMore extra-legroom seating benefit hits the hardest, especially as my family hopefully grows in the coming years.

Going forward, Mosaic 1 and 2 members can only get free EvenMore seats for themselves and two companions, down from eight companions previously.

(Mosaic 3 and 4 members will receive free EvenMore for themselves and four companions, again down from eight.)

Other perks that are being scaled back include the free bag benefit (from two to one bag) and the number of free alcoholic drinks on most routes when seated in Core (from three to one drink).

Note there are additional updates, including the introduction of a unique family pooling for earning elite status, but those perks aren’t factoring in to my decision to complete the challenge.

JetBlue 25-for-25 challenge background

The challenge, which launched in June, offers 25 years of Mosaic 1 status, as well as 350,000 TrueBlue points for flying to 25 unique destinations by the end of the year.

I imagine that there are far fewer travelers participating in the challenge than those who earn Mosaic 1 status from flying or credit card spending.

So, I’m not necessarily annoyed by the program’s evolution, but more by the timing.

In my mind, the airline should’ve announced this change before or at the start of the challenge — not in the middle of it.

However, while JetBlue made a significant enough change to have me reconsider completing the challenge, I’m still on track to complete it.

(I recently crossed off my 24th destination on a quick back-to-back trip from New York to Providence to San Juan to St. Croix to San Juan to Hartford.)

 

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JetBlue 25-for-25 challenge analysis

One of my goals in completing the challenge has been to minimize my out-of-pocket cost.

So, I decided to calculate the value I’d reasonably get from the revamped Mosaic 1 tier over the next 25 years.

Frankly, I assigned no weight to Mosaic 1 in years 5 through 25 since I (and you) have no idea what further changes might happen with TrueBlue or the loyalty program.

Not to mention the prevailing opinion of some analysts that JetBlue could be a prime acquisition target.

Even if JetBlue is acquired by, say, United, I already have Premier 1K status (and plan to maintain at least Gold status for the foreseeable future).

So even if Mosaic 1 status were converted to United Silver status, it wouldn’t significantly benefit me.

However, over the next five years, I estimate that I’ll receive over $1,000 in value annually from Mosaic 1 — making it entirely worth going for the grand prize.

(If I stopped at 20 destinations, I would only receive 350,000 points, but no status. So if I could complete the incremental five destinations for under $1,000, I’ll come out ahead.)

JetBlue 25-for-25 challenge breakdown

Here’s how I arrived at that conclusion. To start, I wanted to be as conservative as possible in my estimates.

Given that my parents live in Florida and my wife and I plan to stay in New York, I envision flying JetBlue at least twice a year between the two states for the forseeable future. (That’s before factoring in any work or other personal travel.)

I typically take advantage of three key Mosaic perks whenever I fly JetBlue, especially now that I have a child in tow. Here’s how that breaks down.

• Free checked bags: $35 a bag x 2 flights a year = $70
• Same-day switch: $75 per person x 2 flights a year x 3 passengers per flight = $450
• Seats: $50 per seat (rough average) x 2 flights a year x 3 passengers per flight: $300

Conservatively, I estimate the annual value to Mosaic 1 status at $820. For completeness, here’s how much I paid for four of the final five destinations.

Even I valued the points I redeemed at 2 cents/point — way above what most experts say they’re worth — my investment would still be well worth it over the next few years.

So yes, it’s frustrating that JetBlue made a mid-challenge change to the grand prize, but my hunch is that if you already decided to go for it, you’ll probably figure out a way to still come out ahead. Just like me.

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