In 2020, American Airlines and JetBlue announced a partnership called the “Northeast Alliance,” which provided some reciprocal benefits and codeshare opportunities for customers of both airlines. However, in 2023, the feds determined that the partnership violated antitrust law, putting the kibosh on any further friendliness between the airlines. Since then, AA has been trying to rekindle things, taking their argument all the way to the Supreme Court.
However, the pursuit finally came crashing down over the last couple of months, with JetBlue spurning AA’s advances while it was playing footsie with United Airlines. American seems to have been a bit put off, as they’re now taking a stab at convincing JetBlue elite members to abandon ship by offering a sweetened elite status match.
For a limited time, each level of JetBlue Mosaic status has been moved up a tier on the AA status match chart. Mosaic 1 members are being matched to AAdvantage Platinum, Mosaic 2 to Platinum Pro and, most notably, Mosaic 3 and 4 are being matched all the way to top-tier Executive Platinum status.
The Deal
- For a limited time, JetBlue elite members can receive a higher instant status match to American Airlines:
- Mosaic 1 members will be matched to Platinum status instead of Gold
- Mosaic 2 members will be matched to Platinum Pro status instead of Platinum
- Mosaic 3 and 4 members will be matched to Executive Platinum status instead of Platinum Pro
- Valid for submissions received until 6/30/25
- Once registered, the member must earn at least 25K Loyalty Points in four months to continue with Platinum benefits, 42K to continue with Platinum Pro benefits or 67K to continue with Executive Platinum benefits.
Terms and Conditions
- If approved, the member will be registered for the Instant Status Pass promotion and enjoy 4 months of status with American Airlines while meeting a Loyalty Point goal every 4 months to keep status and move on to the next phase.
- Once registered, the member must earn at least 13,000 Loyalty Points in the first 4 months of the promotion to continue with AAdvantage Gold® benefits, 25,000 Loyalty Points to continue with AAdvantage Platinum® benefits, 42,000 to continue with AAdvantage Platinum Pro® benefits, or 67,000 Loyalty Points to continue with AAdvantage Executive Platinum® benefits.
- Members who have registered for the Instant Status Pass™ promotion in the last 2 years are not eligible for this offer.
- Members who already hold the equivalent or higher AAdvantage® status are not eligible for status matching.
- Please allow at least 4 weeks for AAdvantage® Customer Service to review your submission.
- This offer is only valid for Delta SkyMiles®, United MileagePlus®, JetBlue TrueBlue® and Southwest Rapid Rewards® members who met the full status qualification requirements. Matched, transferred, lifetime or promotional status holders are not eligible for this offer.
American AAdvantage elite benefits
| AAdvantage elite status | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalty Points Required | 40K | 75K | 125K | 200K |
| Mileage Bonus | 40% | 60% | 80% | 120% |
| Preferred Seating | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Main Cabin Extra Seating | Upgrade at Check In | Y | Y | Y |
| Domestic First Class Upgrade | 24 hour window | 48 hour window | 72 hour window | 100 hour window |
| Upgrade on Alaska Airlines | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Free checked bags | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| OneWorld Status | Ruby: Access to biz class check-in, preferred seating | Sapphire: Access to OneWorld Business Class lounges | Emerald: Access to OneWorld First and Business Class lounges | |
Quick Thoughts
AA’s Instant Status Pass promo is a bit lame in my humble opinion. First, it gives you status for four months. Then, if you complete the Loyalty Points requirements, you get to keep that status for…another four months.
American has effectively divided the Loyalty Points requirements for each level of status by 3 and that’s the requirement for each four month period. You then have to hit that qualification level every four months in order to maintain status. If you don’t, you lose it. Eventually, your status will be “extended” through the end of of the membership year if you meet three successive four-month qualifications.
That said, it will be useful to some folks. The one “AAdvantage” that JetBlue elites have is that they get a meaningful status to fly with while they’re trying qualify. Both Platinum and Platinum Pro offer complimentary first class upgrades (good luck getting them on longer flights, though), complimentary main cabin extra seating, free checked bags and mileage bonuses (60% for Platinum, 80% for Platinum Pro). Executive Platinum is the real deal and offers excellent benefits.
This promo could be worth taking a bite at, both for folks who only want status for a short period and for those who actually are looking for another airline to call home. It will require some organization, though, as it effectively removes thinking about the qualifying requirements as a yearly goal and turns it into one that has to be achieved every four months.
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