We Did It! Challenge Complete 🎉

After five weekends, 29 flights, and unforgettable moments, we've officially completed the JetBlue 25 for 25 Challenge.

Our Journey - By the Numbers

Total: 29 JetBlue Flights → 25 Unique Airports!

Weekend 1:
JFK-ROC-JFK-SAV-JFK-CHS-BOS-DCA-MCO
8 Flights – 7 Airports
Cost: $141 per earned airport

Catch-up Trip (Tom)
FLL-ISP: 1 Flight – 1 Airport
Cost: $98 per earned airport

Weekend 2:
JFK-PVD-TPA-BDL-PBI-HPN-RSW
6 Flights – 6 Airports
Cost: $108 per earned airport

Weekend 3:
FLL-RDU-FLL-SJU-EWR-JFK-BUF-JFK-PIT-JFK
8 Flights – 6 Airports
Cost: $168 per earned airport

Weekend 4:
JFK-PWM-JFK-ACK-LGA-JFK-ATL
5 Flights – 4 Airports
Cost: $136 per earned airport

Weekend 5:
FLL-MBJ
1 Flight – 1 Airport
Cost: $127 for our final earned airport

Top 10 Pro Tips for Future 25 for 25 Challengers

Now that we've completed the challenge, here are the strategies that saved us time, money, and stress:

1. Plan Ahead and Book Smart

• Use JetBlue's calendar view to find the lowest fares. On the "Book Flights" page, click "Depart" instead of "Search flights" to see a calendar showing the cheapest dates.
• I didn't discover this until halfway through the challenge and had been manually checking prices. This tool is a game-changer.
• Example: FLL-SFO ranges from $114 on some Saturdays to $784 on peak days.

2. Think in Cost Per Earned Airport

• Don't evaluate flights individually—calculate your total cost per unique airport destination.
• Some routes only return to airports you've already earned. Factor both the outbound and return flights into your "earned airport" cost.
• Example: BOS-AVL is a cheap outbound, but AVL only flies back to BOS on JetBlue. If you've already earned BOS, both flights count toward earning AVL.

3. Use FlightsFrom.com

• This tool displays all routes from any airport and allows you to filter by airline.
• Discover unexpected connections that can earn you another unique destination.
• Example: From HPN (Westchester), you can fly to TPA, SJU, RSW, MCO, PBI, ACK, or FLL—much more than we expected!

4. Build Your Schedule in Excel First

• Track departure/arrival times, as well as costs, outside the JetBlue app before booking.
• Plan multiple weekends at once to see the big picture.

5. Color Code Your Progress

• Use a spreadsheet or other tool to track earned airports, utilizing color coding for clarity.
• This prevents you from accidentally booking airports you've already visited and helps you visualize your remaining destinations.

6. Mix in Alternative Transportation

• Don't limit yourself to only flying. Ground transportation can save on flights and overnight stays.
• Weekend 1: Landed in MCO, took Brightline train back to FLL (saved 2 flights)
• Weekend 2: Landed in RSW, rented a car back to FLL (saved 2 flights)
• Weekend 4: Landed at LGA, took an Uber to JFK for the next flight
• Weekend 4: Flew Frontier from ATL to FLL to save an overnight since we'd already earned FLL

7. Connecting Flights Count!

• Book connecting flights strategically—each airport in your connection counts as a unique destination.
• Example: We booked RDU-SJU, which connected through FLL. Since we hadn't earned FLL yet, we got two airports from one booking!

8. Leverage the Travel Bank

• JetBlue's Travel Bank lets you rebook without penalties.
• When plans change or you find better routes, cancel and use those funds for new flights.

9. Book "Safety" Routes

• Reserve backup flights for future weekends in case of delays or cancellations.
• If you don't need them, cancel and move the funds to your Travel Bank.
• This locks in lower fares and gives you peace of mind.

10. Join the Facebook JetBlue Mosaic Group

• We didn't discover this until our Weekend 4 and wish we'd known about it sooner.
• The community shares itinerary ideas, tips, and real-time advice from people doing the same challenge.

Final Thoughts

The most important tip? HAVE FUN along the way!

This challenge gave us so much more than 25 airports. We made new friends, experienced exceptional JetBlue customer service, discovered hidden gems across the country, and created memories.

Whether you're considering the 25 for 25 Challenge or any other travel goal, remember: the journey matters just as much as the destination. Stay flexible, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy every moment.

We can't believe it's already over. If you're thinking about taking on this challenge, we say go for it. The experience is worth every early morning flight and every quick turnaround.

Happy travels, everyone—and ENJOY THE RIDE! ✈️