It’s common for airlines to offer loyalty program members ways to boost their elite status at the end of the year. JetBlue has just launched an interesting promotion along those lines, which allows members to do good while also boosting their own elite status qualification.
In this post:
JetBlue’s sustainable aviation fuel promotion
Nowadays JetBlue Mosaic elite status is earned based on how many tiles you rack up. The four tiers of Mosaic status require anywhere from 50 to 250 tiles annually, and you earn one tile for every $100 in JetBlue spending, or one tile for every $1,000 in JetBlue credit card spending.
Between December 19 and December 31, 2024, JetBlue is adding another way to earn tiles. Specifically, you can earn tiles for contributing to sustainable aviation fuel:
- You can earn one tile for every $100 contributed to sustainable aviation fuel, up to 10 tiles
- This is being done in partnership with climate tech company Chooose, and contributions can be made at this link
- Tiles earned through this promotion will post to TrueBlue accounts by the end of January 2025, and will help with 2024 status qualification that’s valid for the 2025 program year (through the end of 2025)
- 89.69% of contributions will be allocated toward JetBlue for the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel and/or blended sustainable aviation fuel purchases, while 10.31% of contributions will act as a “service and technology fee” for Chooose
Here’s how Sara Bogdan, Managing Director of Sustainability at JetBlue, describes this promotion:
“As we enter our sixth year of flying with SAF, we are now making it even easier (and rewarding) for customers to join us in our efforts. Whether you’re celebrating a great year of travel, or planning ahead for next year, we’re inviting you to partner with us to help address the carbon emissions caused by flying through contributions to sustainable aviation fuel.”
Is this sustainable aviation fuel offer worth it?
Obviously it’s nice to do something for the environment that can help offset travel by air, but is this offer worth it? Essentially you can earn tiles at the same pace as you would for your JetBlue spending, up to the limit of 10 tiles. So if you’d otherwise get on a JetBlue aircraft at the end of the year just to earn status, then this promotion is a good alternative that lets you earn tiles while staying home.
Now, personally I question the long term viability of sustainable aviation fuel, given how costly it is, plus the challenges with ramping up production. I’m more a fan of other carbon offset schemes, but this is of course still better than nothing. So if I were to just drop $1,000 to help the environment, this isn’t how I’d do it, personally, unless I really valued the tiles.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue really sets the standard when it comes to rewarding people for making contributions. The program lets members earn XPs (the status qualification metric) both for contributing cash toward sustainable aviation fuel, and for making donations to other charities with miles. There are no limits to how much you can earn, and the rates of earning XPs are pretty good as well.
Bottom line
JetBlue is giving TrueBlue members the opportunity to earn bonus tiles for contributing to sustainable aviation fuel. Through the end of the year, you can earn one tile for every $100 contributed, up to 10 tiles. This is hardly the most lucrative offer in the world, but if you really value JetBlue status and your only option to qualify is to get on a plane, this is an alternative at least worth being aware of.
Does anyone plan on taking part in JetBlue’s sustainable aviation fuel promotion?
I have felt skittish about making a contribution to a "environmental offset" fund. Who are they are what are their concrete actions to save the environment? Way too nebulous and little to no accountability!! Am I funding a eco terrorist group that paints buildings and art work with orange paint??
Once had had "environmental offset" charge on a hotel bill. The manager displayed a rather pissy attitude till he realized I wasn't leaving till the billing disappeared.
The airline itself uses those funds to purchase sustainable fuels from producers. The funds do not go to some third-party "charitable" organization for who knows what.
Flying Blue does the same thing. Quite honestly, it has moved some of my travel from British Airways to Air France. Other airlines ought to offer the same. Whether someone agrees or disagrees scientifically or politically about such things, as a hobbyist, this is a good thing.