One of the best parts of being a frequent flyer are the perks that come with accumulating loyalty points and moving up in status with the airline. Early benefits begin at a free checked bag and cost-free changes to one's journey and extend to free flights and access to the most exclusive airport lounges.
The 2009 movie "Up In The Air" also stirred up public interest around what it takes to get one's name on a plane (United (UAL) -) did it in 2011 for a passenger who flew more than 20 million miles with the airline over several decades.)
Related: Passengers on overbooked Delta flight offered $4,000 to get off
The major caveat that keeps even those who fly very frequently from reaching some of the highest status tiers is that the perks usually have to be earned with the same airline or ones within a common network. As an example, Star Alliance members include United, Air Canada (ACDVF) -), Lufthansa (DLAKF) -) and Singapore Airlines (SINGF) -).
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'JetBlue is happy to offer Medallion members the loyalty that they deserve'
While they are not part of the same network, New York-based JetBlue (JBLU) -) is offering to extend its TrueBlue loyalty program to Delta Air Lines (DAL) -)'s SkyMiles Medallion members. Those with one of four tiers of loyalty status with the latter (they start at silver and go to diamond) will be able to match it to an equivalent one with JetBlue.
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Depending on the status one has with Delta, those who join the program with JetBlue will have perks ranging from early boarding and free alcohol on the flights to lounge access and helicopter transfers between New York's JFK and Newark airports at the highest level when they fly with JetBlue. To opt in, Medallion members need to match their account on JetBlue's website until Oct. 31 or until the program has reached 30,000 applicants.
"Following a refresh of the TrueBlue program that made earning Mosaic status easier and quicker than ever before," the airline said in a statement to media outlets. "JetBlue is happy to offer Medallion members the loyalty that they deserve."
Fight for loyalty amid outrage with Delta is only getting started
The changes come at a time when many longtime Delta travelers are very angry with the airline. In an effort to combat lounge crowding and maximize profits, the airline announced in September that it was making it more difficult to earn loyalty tiers and access lounges. Coming into effect in 2024 and 2025, the changes introduce caps on lounge visits and scrap waivers that allowed passengers to earn status by spending $25,000 on eligible credit cards. As of next year, customers will need to spend $6,000, $12,000, $18,000 and $35,000 directly with the airline.
By contrast, reaching the fourth-level Mosaic status with JetBlue requires $25,000 with the airline or $250,000 on eligible credit cards. Both JetBlue and Delta have promotions that give credits beyond the "one point for one dollar" model.
JetBlue's move is, in turn, an effort to lure over passengers frustrated with Delta to its own airline.
"Frequent flyers are livid over Delta Air Lines' changes to its SkyMiles program — and other airlines see an opportunity," writes David Slotnick of airline website The Points Guy.
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