JetBlue Lures Delta Flyers With New Status Match Promotion

Delta Air Lines made quite a splash last month when it announced sweeping changes to how frequent flyers earn Delta Medallion status in 2024. The changes will include using Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) as the sole metric for status in place of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs). This moves Delta to a revenue-based frequent flyer program that rewards customers for spending with the airline rather than for flying frequently or booking certain types of fares.

Huge changes to co-branded Delta credit cards are also on the way, and they're not necessarily good ones. Beginning in 2024, Delta credit cards will no longer offer additional MQMs through a "Status Boost" program since MQMs will no longer exist. Plus. Delta credit cards will no longer earn an MQD Waiver with at least $25,000 in spending per year. Instead, these benefits will be replaced by much lower MQD-earning thresholds through spending on co-branded cards. Furthermore, Delta is putting a cap on visits to its SkyClub lounges for many credit cardholders, not to mention barring lounge visits for SkyMiles members flying in basic economy.

The response to these changes from Delta appears to have been overwhelmingly negative. Delta's CEO has remarked that the changes may have "gone too far" and that some modifications to the new program are likely on the way before 2024. But, that hasn't stopped competing airlines from trying to capitalize on Delta's bad timing and abundance of disgruntled customers. This includes JetBlue, who recently announced a status match program meant to entice Delta's most loyal customers into trying a new airline.

JetBlue announces 'Mosaic on the DL'

JetBlue's new status match program, which is smartly named "Mosaic on the DL," aims to lure Delta SkyMiles Medallion members into flying with JetBlue by letting them match to the airline's Mosaic status. Status will last until Dec. 30, 2023. Flyers will need to complete a challenge to keep their elite status alive throughout 2024.

Here's a rundown of where each tier of Delta status falls with the new JetBlue status match and the perks for each status level.

Delta Silver = Mosaic 1

Delta Gold = Mosaic 2

Delta Platinum = Mosaic 3

Delta Diamond = Mosaic 3

As mentioned, members can keep these benefits through 2024 by completing a status challenge.

The challenge includes having an eligible JetBlue credit card by the end of 2023, or by earning and receiving the following number of tiles by the end of 2023 (after the new status match has been approved):

There are a couple of ways to earn "Tiles" with JetBlue. You can earn 1 tile for every $100 spent on JetBlue flights, JetBlue Vacation packages and spending with Paisly by JetBlue (cars, hotel stays and more). You can also earn 1 tile for every $1,000 spent with a JetBlue credit card. However, simply having one of these cards by the end of 2023 is enough to complete the challenge and retain your status through 2024.

A good deal for JetBlue credit card applicants

Delta flyers who plan to fly with JetBlue in the next year can easily apply for a status match and maintain their status through 2024 if they're approved for a JetBlue credit card. Alternatively, flyers can spend to earn Tiles to meet the status match challenge, though this may be a more difficult route. There's not much time in the remainder of the year (less than three months) for people who don't fly regularly to meet the requirements.

Either way, it's clear that JetBlue is making a major play at unhappy Delta Medallion members who may be looking to switch. Since the status match program is free for Medallion members and has relatively easy requirements to meet, many frequent JetBlue flyers may take advantage of it.