Many Miles Later

JetBlue’s 25-for-25 Challenge: How I’m Starting my Chase for 25 Years of Mosaic Status

July 15, 2025

When JetBlue launched its 25-for-25 promotion, I didn’t hesitate. Thats not true, my husband showed me the promo and I asked if he was insane. In my defense, it is insane, the promo is only running for 26 weeks meaning you have to hit an average of 1 airport a week for the rest of the year. Keeping in mind that most people don’t have the flexibility to travel during the week or take a number of days off work and you can suddenly see how this challenge isn’t really too good to be true.

So the airline is celebrating 25 years by offering TrueBlue members a rare chance at long-term perks and I’m all in. Between June 25 and December 31, 2025, you can earn up to Mosaic 1 status for 25 years by visiting unique arrival destinations on JetBlue-operated flights. I’m currently working my way through the challenge with my husband as my travel partner-in-crime. All prices listed in this post reflect the total for two people, so if you’re flying solo, expect your costs to be lower.

Here’s how the promotion works: If you visit 15 destinations, you’ll earn 150,000 bonus points. Hit 20 destinations and you get another 200,000 points, bringing your total to 350,000. But if you make it to 25 unique arrival destinations before the end of the year, you unlock Mosaic 1 status for the next 25 years. That final reward is huge: Mosaic status includes free same-day changes, early boarding, free overhead bin space, a dedicated customer service line, and a yearly “Perks You Pick” bonus. For frequent flyers, it’s a serious upgrade with real value.

Of course, there are some rules. Only arrival cities count, so your departure airport won’t qualify as a destination. That means if you fly LAX to BUF, only Buffalo counts. All flights must be operated by JetBlue (no partners, codeshares, or interline flights), and they must be booked under qualifying fares—Blue, Blue Extra, Even More® Space, Mint®, Award Flights, or Cash + Points. Blue Basic is not eligible, and destinations flown on Blue Basic will not count toward your 25. Connecting airports do count, even if you don’t leave the terminal. Also, cities with multiple airports—like JFK, LGA, and EWR—are treated as separate destinations if you arrive there.

With all that in mind, I’ve mapped out four multi-stop trips and have currently hit 12 qualifying destinations (halfway to 25 already). I’ve been stacking cities on each trip to get as much value (and as many new arrivals) as possible. All prices below are for two people, and all trips are booked under eligible blue fares.

In July, we flew from Orlando (MCO) to LaGuardia (LGA) and back on the Dunking promo plane landing us Mosaic for the next 3 months and adding two destinations for a total of $510. Right now, we’re in the middle of our second trip, traveling from West Palm Beach (PBI) to Washington Reagan (DCA). This one adds two more qualifying destinations and cost $372 for both of us. We’re making the most of the city while knocking another airport off the list. More on our trip to DC coming soon.

In August, we have booked a more ambitious, cross-country loop that included Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Buffalo (BUF), BUF to Los Angeles (LAX), LAX to Newark (EWR), and EWR back to FLL. That adds four qualifying destinations and cost $975 for the two of us.

We also planned a Northeastern loop for later in August. We’ll fly from Fort Myers (RSW) to Hartford (BDL), then make our way from JFK to Nantucket (ACK), Nantucket to Westchester (HPN), and finally back from HPN to RSW. That’s four more qualifying destinations (JFK doesn’t count, as it’s just the departure point), and it cost $846 after a recent rebooking that saved us $100. We will be taking the Amtrak from Hartford into NYC and spending a couple days there for the preview of Masquerade, the new Phantom of the Opera show/experience, SO EXCITED.

So far, we’ve spent $2,683 for two people and completed 12 unique destinations. We still need 13 more to hit the full 25 and unlock Mosaic 1 status through the year 2050. I’ve been prioritizing routes with two or more new arrival cities per trip, mixing in smaller airports like Westchester and Nantucket that other travelers might skip, and avoiding Blue Basic fares completely to comply with the fine print of the promo.

This challenge has been a great excuse to travel more thoughtfully and creatively…. and it’s oddly fun. JetBlue has turned loyalty into a puzzle; part strategy and part scavenger hunt. Even if I weren’t to reach all 25, earning 150,000 or 350,000 bonus points along the way is still an incredible reward. But you know I’m aiming for the whole thing. There’s still time to join the challenge, and with a little planning, it’s absolutely doable. I’ll be posting more updates as I go, along with tips, suggested routes, and probably a few gate-side rants when delays hit. Here’s to Mosaic for the next 25 years—one airport at a time.
Old-School French Restaurant in NYC That’s Still Worth It

July 10, 2025

You can spot the red awning from down the block. A little weathered, perfectly welcoming, and promising exactly what the name says: everything’s fine. I first came across this restaurant while planning a bucket list girls’ trip to the city for a friend. I was simply looking for a pre-theater dinner spot near our hotel. What I found was a must-visit restaurant for every trip I take to New York going forward.

Side Note: I have a slightly deranged personal theory, and yes, I stand by it with my entire being.
If a restaurant makes you walk downstairs to get to it, it’s going to be amazing.
There’s just something about descending into a tucked-away little space that whispers, “This is where the good stuff happens.” La Tout Va Bien fits this energy exactly. It’s not technically underground, but it carries that same hidden-gem feeling that makes you feel like you’re in on a secret.

The atmosphere inside is cozy and comforting. The space is small but not cramped, perfectly reminiscent of a neighborhood bistro in Paris. On a busy night, it’s full of energy, clinking glasses, and easy conversation. Is it visually stunning like some of the flashier French restaurants popping up around the city? Not really. But it’s friendly, unpretentious, and most importantly, delicious.

My usual order is the steak frites with peppercorn sauce. The steak is always perfectly cooked, the fries are crispy and well-seasoned, and I will never turn down a good au poivre sauce. They also offer daily specials. Last time, they had a chilled cucumber soup appetizer that sounded great, but I went with a Caesar salad instead. No regrets. Everything was exceptional.

And of course, no French meal is complete without dessert. La Tout Va Bien serves a Soufflé du Jour, which feels almost like a lost art. Most places avoid it because it takes extra time to prepare, usually around 20 minutes, and they want to turn tables quickly. Here, they take their time and let you enjoy it. Last Monday, the soufflé of the day was blueberry, which isn’t my favorite, so I went for the crème brûlée. It was smooth, rich, and deeply satisfying. That said, I’ve had their Grand Marnier soufflé in the past, and it remains one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.

La Tout Va Bien is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t need trends or theatrics to earn your loyalty. It’s warm, comforting, and consistent; the kind of place that feels like a little secret tucked into the chaos of Midtown. Whether you’re grabbing a pre-theater meal, lingering over wine and soufflé, or just want to escape the noise with something reliably delicious, this spot delivers every single time. It’s not flashy, but it’s real. And that makes it unforgettable.

Quick Info:

(Updated July 2025)

📍 Location:
343 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019 (Hell’s Kitchen, near 8th Ave)

💵 Price Range:
$$ — Entrees generally between $20–$35

Pre Theater Menu — $45 per person

🎭 Perfect For:
Pre-theater dinner, casual date night, classic French comfort food

📞 Reservations:
Recommended, especially on weekends or before shows
(Call or use OpenTable)

🚇 Nearest Subway:
50th St (C/E) or 49th St (N/R/W)
Ten Hours in NYC

July 9, 2025
In my last post, I shared the somewhat chaotic but logistically sound decision to take a one-day trip to New York City. But what exactly do you do with less than ten hours in one of the busiest cities in the world?

Flying MCO to LGA

I caught the 7:19 AM flight out of MCO, but keep in mind—I had to drive two hours to get to Orlando, which meant a brutal 4 AM wake-up call. We traveled light (just my purse and my husband’s work backpack), which made the airport process smoother. Check-in was quick, PreCheck worked its magic, and we even had time for a quick breakfast while admiring our hot pink plane at the gate. We departed on time and landed at LaGuardia before 10 AM.

Arrivals¹

Kids Area

Eastern Concourse

This was my first time flying into LaGuardia since the renovations were officially completed earlier this year, and I have to say, I was impressed. Terminal B is clean, modern, and surprisingly artful. No more ominous construction hallways with wires dangling from the ceiling. Were there still birds in the terminal? Just one. But honestly, I believe birds, nature’s original flight crew, belong in airports. There was plenty of seating, good signage, and, most importantly, nice bathrooms.

Getting into Manhattan from LaGuardia is always a hassle. There’s no direct subway access, and rideshares and taxis can get expensive fast. That said, the free LaGuardia Link bus saved the day. It connects Terminals B and C to the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave subway station, where I caught the M Train straight to Bryant Park.

Bryant Park + NYPL

Bryant Park shines in the winter with its famous holiday market and ice rink, but summer still has plenty to offer: movies in the park, chess and ping-pong tables, and a packed calendar of free events. It’s a peaceful green pocket in midtown and absolutely worth a visit.

Right behind the park is the main branch of the New York Public Library—an architectural gem. Inside, you’ll find a few small exhibits and the kind of peaceful, grand reading rooms that make you want to write a novel on the spot.

Dinner at Le Tout Va Bien

Before heading back to the airport, I made one final stop for an early dinner at Le Tout Va Bien, a charming French restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen that’s been open since 1949. It deserves a post of its own, because I always make time for it when I’m in the city. If you’re a fan of French food or need a solid pre-theater meal, this is your spot. Just go.

Switching Airports: JFK Return

Instead of booking a round-trip, I opted for two one-way flights for more flexibility. For the return, I chose to fly out of JFK. LaGuardia’s lack of easy transit options makes it a pain to get back to during evening rush hour. Normally, I’d take the LIRR to JFK, but since it was peak Monday traffic, I splurged on a cab, which are flat-rate to JFK, to avoid the commuter crowds.

We arrived at JFK and were immediately met with a very long TSA line, which was a bad omen. PreCheck helped, but even that took 10 minutes, which is unusual. My flight was still listed as on time… for now.

What I didn’t know was that JFK, and other NYC-area airports, were being slammed by the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal. Torrential rain, high winds, and near-zero visibility had triggered a full FAA ground stop, freezing incoming flights and limiting departures. Over 200 delays, nearly 30 cancellations, and passengers trapped on the tarmac for hours. It was chaos. JetBlue, Delta, United, Spirit. The terminals were packed, and rebooking became a nightmare.

We boarded on time, but ended up waiting almost an hour on the runway, only to learn our pilots had timed out. We returned to the gate. JetBlue managed to find reserve pilots who arrived an hour later, and we reboarded, but the flight after ours wasn’t so lucky and got canceled. Our 8:45 PM flight finally took off after 1 AM.

Delays like that are inconvenient under any circumstance, but after 21 hours awake, it felt brutal. We landed at MCO around 4 AM on Tuesday and grabbed a cheap hotel nearby to power nap before the final two-hour drive home.

We got our Mosaic status for the next 3 months, but was it worth the hassel? Despite the exhausting hours, airport chaos, and weather delays, the trip was absolutely worth the hassle. In under ten hours, I got to stroll through Bryant Park, explore the iconic New York Public Library, and enjoy a dreamy French dinner at my favorite NYC spot, Le Tout Va Bien. It reminded me that even the most whirlwind trips can leave lasting memories especially when you plan strategically and stay flexible. Sometimes a little chaos is the price of a great adventure.
1. Images courtesy of LaGuardia Gateway Partners ↩︎