Apr 16, 2016, 7:33 am
Last edit by: elitetraveler
JetSmarter is a membership program that allows members to fly on empty legs of private jets (JetDeals) and seats on scheduled private jet shuttles (JetShuttle).
JetSmarter - discussion and experiences
Jul 28, 2016, 11:24 am
#466
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I have had good experiences with several local charter companies for my very infrequent needs over the past few years. Agree- usually when I inquire, there's an overwhelming response to help.
I'm a tweener. I fly too far to make a reasonable membership in something like Wheels Up work, and I don't quite fly enough to justify the jet card experience. JS would have been perfect for me. I initially was intrigued by the silly low costs for the emtyp legs- even for non-members. I would religiously check the app, finding deal after deal that interested me. Almost pulled the trigger a few times on the empties. Then they became much more expensive (once it was more than double a first class ticket I became less enamored for the shorter flights), and finally cut off non-members. I expected this to happen, and to be fair JS did pique my interest initially through this process.
I know it's difficult for some to comprehend, but there are those of us who can afford to fly private but who also like to internally justify the cost. I do it for business needs or special occasions, but would obviously like to find a reason for more....a perfect JS operaiton would likely fit.
Jul 28, 2016, 2:17 pm
#467
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Wheels Up, Inspirato Pass, Marriott Titanium Elt, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres, Ntl P
Posts: 248
I've been a member for almost 6 months now and flown about 20 times. While there's certainly been complaints I've had many have been sorted out and I've found concierge members today to be quite responsive. Overall my experience has been quite positive and look forward to renewing.
Jul 29, 2016, 8:17 am
#468
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Membership Card
Have you received your membership card yet?
We joined in late January 2016 and have not received our membership cards yet.
We joined in late January 2016 and have not received our membership cards yet.
I've been a member for almost 6 months now and flown about 20 times. While there's certainly been complaints I've had many have been sorted out and I've found concierge members today to be quite responsive. Overall my experience has been quite positive and look forward to renewing.
Jul 29, 2016, 8:22 am
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Jul 29, 2016, 9:47 am
#470
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
I received my fake-gold metal card within 30 days of my joining in February 2015 in a nice wooden case. Perhaps they decided that since there seemed to be no reason for anyone to carry the card, that they would save the $50 and discontinue issuing them? Then again, that would seem too logical for these guys.
Jul 29, 2016, 9:49 am
#471
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Jul 29, 2016, 9:50 am
#472
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
I received my fake-gold metal card within 30 days of my joining in February 2015 in a nice wooden case. Perhaps they decided that since there seemed to be no reason for anyone to carry the card, that they would save the $50 and discontinue issuing them? Then again, that would seem too logical for these guys.
Jul 29, 2016, 10:13 am
#473
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Jul 29, 2016, 12:24 pm
#474
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Wheels Up, Inspirato Pass, Marriott Titanium Elt, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres, Ntl P
Posts: 248
Jul 29, 2016, 7:57 pm
#477
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Today was my 5th request for my Membership Card
Ugh.... its not like its a necessary thing, or that its even symbolic, but dammit they made such a big deal about it, to not deliver is just ridiculous.
Jul 30, 2016, 11:04 am
#478
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Wheels Up, Inspirato Pass, Marriott Titanium Elt, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres, Ntl P
Posts: 248
Business Model –
Scheduled Shuttles – OF COURSE they are burning money – every startup burns money – so that argument is just a restatement of the fact of startups. If the startup does not burn money, then the investors wonder why. But just like Uber is burning money in china, so to JS must burn money in order to capture share, attract customers, and build organically. However, maturity in a strong business model sets in over time. The trick is to keep that maturity curve steep, by moving fast and furious and working 25 hours a day and 8 days a week on customer acquisition, revenue build, and customer loyalty efforts. I am willing to be my membership that NY – FL – NY is very mature and seats are being purchased more often than not. Side note - do any of you honestly think the prince of Saudi Arabia and Jay Z would invest in a model they do not believe in?
On Demand Shuttles – this has to be a money maker and when I look at the shuttles on the app – I see more and more “member shuttles” popping up. The math is that at least 3-4 seats are paid for to get the shuttle going and then others join in (albeit some free). That shuttle is not paid for my membership fees, its paid for by Credit Cards
Scheduled Shuttles – OF COURSE they are burning money – every startup burns money – so that argument is just a restatement of the fact of startups. If the startup does not burn money, then the investors wonder why. But just like Uber is burning money in china, so to JS must burn money in order to capture share, attract customers, and build organically. However, maturity in a strong business model sets in over time. The trick is to keep that maturity curve steep, by moving fast and furious and working 25 hours a day and 8 days a week on customer acquisition, revenue build, and customer loyalty efforts. I am willing to be my membership that NY – FL – NY is very mature and seats are being purchased more often than not. Side note - do any of you honestly think the prince of Saudi Arabia and Jay Z would invest in a model they do not believe in?
On Demand Shuttles – this has to be a money maker and when I look at the shuttles on the app – I see more and more “member shuttles” popping up. The math is that at least 3-4 seats are paid for to get the shuttle going and then others join in (albeit some free). That shuttle is not paid for my membership fees, its paid for by Credit Cards
Jul 30, 2016, 1:41 pm
#479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,492
