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
Sep 2, 2016, 9:47 am
#601
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 90
The new tiers and rate changes and all these new changes really make it difficult to enjoy.
I signed up in march of this year when there were no "tiers"
The introduction of tiers kind of nullifies the point of "locking in" the rates you're paying now for every year to come.
That they constantly change the terms is pretty frustrating.
So they're removing the free heli transfers entirely now? Or am I misunderstanding this?
If so, in new york for example, is the convenience of no lines and no security and so on now outweighed by having to make your way to and from teterboro?
I signed up in march of this year when there were no "tiers"
The introduction of tiers kind of nullifies the point of "locking in" the rates you're paying now for every year to come.
That they constantly change the terms is pretty frustrating.
So they're removing the free heli transfers entirely now? Or am I misunderstanding this?
If so, in new york for example, is the convenience of no lines and no security and so on now outweighed by having to make your way to and from teterboro?
Sep 2, 2016, 10:02 am
#602
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Skywards, JetSmarter, Etihad Guest, BA Executive Club
Posts: 16
I was just on Member initiated shuttle yesterday from HPN TO VNY but had to make a stop in Cleveland for refueling. Apparently due to bad weather in NY. it was inconvenient but overall flight was smooth & members on plane were nice and quite.
Sep 2, 2016, 10:08 am
#603
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 49
"you can keep paying the same, but we'll just give you less, unless you want to pay more."
Sep 2, 2016, 11:01 am
#604
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
I got it verified: HPN<->LTN shuttles are ONE token plus cash.
I messaged my Rep and he responded.
I knew they ran a Global Express on the LON->NYC segment ... didn't know they used it on the NYC->LON too. A Global Express with only 5-6 seats full does dramatically change the value compared to the advertised G IV with 10 people.
NYC<->LON is now only a single token plus cash so you can book round-trip up front. (I don't think the app shows any tokens at all, but it deducts them.)
NYC<->LON is now only a single token plus cash so you can book round-trip up front. (I don't think the app shows any tokens at all, but it deducts them.)
Sep 2, 2016, 12:12 pm
#605
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
Getting to and from TEB isn't too bad. Getting to and from HPN from NYC is a nightmare. The hassle of getting to the HPN is far greater than the hassle of airport security.
Sep 2, 2016, 2:36 pm
#607
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 90
I agree, I did it once and it was terrible driving. I wouldn't ever do it again. Heli transfers are much easier/convenient and less stressful.
Sep 2, 2016, 10:03 pm
#608
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
The inflation clause has been in the contract forever. Seven months into my Smart membership and quite happy, no question I'll renew at this point.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:19 am
#609
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
Been a bad week this week:
Saturday: OAK-SBA: Cancelled at T-8
Sunday: SFO-MSO: Cancelled at T-6
Thurs: OAK-APA: Cancelled at T-7
Fri: OAK-VNY: Cancelled, at the last minute, while we were at the airport.
I guess the good news is that there were that many empty legs I could potentially use. But 0/4 and I'm pretty bummed. #sadpanda
Saturday: OAK-SBA: Cancelled at T-8
Sunday: SFO-MSO: Cancelled at T-6
Thurs: OAK-APA: Cancelled at T-7
Fri: OAK-VNY: Cancelled, at the last minute, while we were at the airport.
I guess the good news is that there were that many empty legs I could potentially use. But 0/4 and I'm pretty bummed. #sadpanda
Sep 4, 2016, 4:42 am
#610
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
Been a bad week this week:
Saturday: OAK-SBA: Cancelled at T-8
Sunday: SFO-MSO: Cancelled at T-6
Thurs: OAK-APA: Cancelled at T-7
Fri: OAK-VNY: Cancelled, at the last minute, while we were at the airport.
I guess the good news is that there were that many empty legs I could potentially use. But 0/4 and I'm pretty bummed. #sadpanda
Saturday: OAK-SBA: Cancelled at T-8
Sunday: SFO-MSO: Cancelled at T-6
Thurs: OAK-APA: Cancelled at T-7
Fri: OAK-VNY: Cancelled, at the last minute, while we were at the airport.
I guess the good news is that there were that many empty legs I could potentially use. But 0/4 and I'm pretty bummed. #sadpanda
Sep 4, 2016, 8:12 am
#611
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 55
Cancellations do happen and over the years I have learned that flights on the APP that are posted two days out still have a good chance of "cancelling" because the paying charter customer can cancel within 18-24 hours. That is part of the reason all the XO jets do not confirm until 5 hours before.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:57 pm
#612
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
OAK - VNY was cancelled due to mechanical , correct? That has happened to me while I was in the plane on the ground a few times, but apparently that happens to everyone in this industry.
Cancellations do happen and over the years I have learned that flights on the APP that are posted two days out still have a good chance of "cancelling" because the paying charter customer can cancel within 18-24 hours. That is part of the reason all the XO jets do not confirm until 5 hours before.
Cancellations do happen and over the years I have learned that flights on the APP that are posted two days out still have a good chance of "cancelling" because the paying charter customer can cancel within 18-24 hours. That is part of the reason all the XO jets do not confirm until 5 hours before.
Sep 5, 2016, 8:41 pm
#613
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
I flew my first empty-leg today. I flew from Van Nuys to San Diego, and it was fun. It was a Challenger 300 with a full complement of 8 pax. Great group of guys, great crew.
The bummer was taking AMTRAK back from San Diego with a hundred people standing in the aisles because they WAY oversold the train.
I'll be flying more empty-legs, its kind of addicting.
Steve
The bummer was taking AMTRAK back from San Diego with a hundred people standing in the aisles because they WAY oversold the train.
I'll be flying more empty-legs, its kind of addicting.
Steve
Last edited by backdoc; Sep 5, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Sep 5, 2016, 8:57 pm
#614
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 55
I flew my first empty-leg today. I flew from Van Nuys to San Diego, and it was fun. It was a Challenger 300 with a full complement of 8 pax. Great group of guys, great crew.
The bummer was taking AMTRAK back from San Diego with a hundred people standing in the aisles because they WAY oversold the train.
I'll be flying more empty-legs, its kind of addicting.
Steve
The bummer was taking AMTRAK back from San Diego with a hundred people standing in the aisles because they WAY oversold the train.
I'll be flying more empty-legs, its kind of addicting.
Steve
Sep 5, 2016, 10:42 pm
#615
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Yeah, I saw that.
My dogs wouldn't tolerate not being fed at 4am, as they require. 
I'm not new to JetSmarter I've flown 10 transcon shuttles and one VNY-OAK as well since January. I had just never tried the empty-leg thing.
I'm not new to JetSmarter I've flown 10 transcon shuttles and one VNY-OAK as well since January. I had just never tried the empty-leg thing.
Steve - welcome to a great club in the sky - you should have stayed overnight in SAN and taken the SAN to VNY shuttle tomorrow morning and forgone the train. The planes they use for this shuttle just completed their exterior and interior refurbishment. Great shuttle! Hope to see you on that one soon.
Last edited by backdoc; Sep 6, 2016 at 3:29 pm