My Travel Cheat Sheet

Card Routing Rules

JetBlue flights	JB+ · 6×
Groceries	JB+ · 2×
Restaurants	CSR · 3× (or JB+ 2×)
Hotels	CSR · 4×
Non-JB flights	CSR · 4×
Gas / Auto	CSR · 1×
Utilities / Other	CSR · 1×
Enterprise rental	CSR · primary insurance

Never book JetBlue on CSR — lose tiles & 6× earning.
Never use Amex to transfer to JetBlue — bad ratio + fees.

2026 Flight Calendar

JAN

BOS→LAX Mint · Cash — builds Mosaic tiles

~$1,499

MAR

BOS→LAX Mint · Cash — Mosaic 1 unlocked ✓

~$1,399

APR

JFK→Paris Business · Chase UR → Flying Blue

120k UR + $598

MAY

BOS→LAX Economy · Even More Space free w/ status

~$390

JUL

BOS→LAX Economy · Peak — use TrueBlue points

~28k TB pts

SEP

JFK→Singapore Business · Chase UR → Aeroplan

175k UR + $150

OCT

BOS→LAX Economy · Shoulder — pay cash

~$310

NOV

BOS→LAX Economy + Move to Mint cert ✓

$280 + free upgrade

Amsterdam (Apr) uses same Flying Blue pool as Paris — no extra transfer needed.

TrueBlue Points — When to Use

✓

BOS–LAX economy fare over $380 RT → redeem points

✓

Holiday / last-minute spikes above $450 → always redeem

✓

TB balance exceeds 60,000 → flush on next domestic leg

✗

Economy fare under $300 → pay cash, save points

✗

Mint bookings → never use TB pts (only 1.2¢/pt value)

✗

International flights → always use Chase UR transfers

✗

Flying Blue Promo active on BOS–AMS → use Chase UR instead

Chase UR → intl business class = ~2.0¢/pt
TrueBlue economy = ~1.4¢/pt · Mint = ~1.2¢/pt

Status, Perks & Household Advantages

My Status — Mosaic 1 (JetBlue) · Valid thru Jan 2028

Free Even More Space at check-in on all JetBlue flights

1 Move to Mint upgrade cert/yr → used on Nov BOS–LAX

Priority boarding · free checked bag · free same-day changes

Economy Plus on United — Blue Sky reciprocal benefit

Chase Sapphire Lounge: BOS, JFK + LAX (opening 2026)

Priority Pass: 1,300+ lounges worldwide incl. Paris, AMS, SIN

IHG Platinum Elite auto-activated via CSR (through 2027)

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck reimbursed — $120 every 4 yrs

Spouse — United Premier Gold + Hotel Elite Status

Free Even More Space on JetBlue — no Mosaic needed

Star Alliance Gold → lounges in Paris, Amsterdam, Singapore

Priority boarding + 2 free checked bags on United & JetBlue

Hotel elite status: international upgrades & breakfast included

Business travel miles earn Mosaic tiles (link TrueBlue number)

Enterprise premium status covers all LAX car rentals

CSR provides primary rental insurance — decline CDW at counter

Annual Cost vs. Value

2 Mint RT — Jan & Mar (cash)

$2,898

3 Economy RT — May, Oct, Nov

$980

Jul RT — TrueBlue points

$6 fees only

Paris + Amsterdam intl taxes

$1,196

Singapore intl taxes

$150

CSR + JB+ annual fees

$894

Card credits applied

−$988

Net Out-of-Pocket

~$5,136

Same travel purchased at retail (all cash)

~$28,883

Year 1 Savings (incl. welcome bonus)

~$23,747

Year 2+ without welcome bonus: ~$18,895 annual savings