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 7, 2017, 5:19 pm
#1501
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
Everything goes as expected: ~50% for me this year
Canceled because of a schedule change: ~30% for me this year
Canceled due to a maintenance issue: ~20% for me this year
When a flight is canceled due to a schedule change, JetSmarter now arranges alternate transportation if it's within the confirmation period (which now appears to be 24 hours before the flight). That alternate transportation is either a replacement charter or a commercial plane ticket. Prior to earlier this year, JetSmarter made no service recovery for most schedule changes.
When a flight is canceled due to a maintenance issue or weather, JetSmarter considers that an "issue outside of their control", and they do not provide service recovery.
I'd generally hesitate before positioning myself in order to catch an empty leg, although I'm more willing to do it now than I was before they made the change with regard to schedule changes.
Jul 7, 2017, 5:20 pm
#1502
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 787
There are a few things that can happen. JetSmarter changed their contracts with their empty leg operators earlier this year, so the outcomes have changed significantly for each of the events:
Everything goes as expected: ~50% for me this year
Canceled because of a schedule change: ~30% for me this year
Canceled due to a maintenance issue: ~20% for me this year
When a flight is canceled due to a schedule change, JetSmarter now arranges alternate transportation if it's within the confirmation period (which now appears to be 24 hours before the flight). That alternate transportation is either a replacement charter or a commercial plane ticket. Prior to earlier this year, JetSmarter made no service recovery for most schedule changes.
When a flight is canceled due to a maintenance issue or weather, JetSmarter considers that an "issue outside of their control", and they do not provide service recovery.
I'd generally hesitate before positioning myself in order to catch an empty leg, although I'm more willing to do it now than I was before they made the change with regard to schedule changes.
Everything goes as expected: ~50% for me this year
Canceled because of a schedule change: ~30% for me this year
Canceled due to a maintenance issue: ~20% for me this year
When a flight is canceled due to a schedule change, JetSmarter now arranges alternate transportation if it's within the confirmation period (which now appears to be 24 hours before the flight). That alternate transportation is either a replacement charter or a commercial plane ticket. Prior to earlier this year, JetSmarter made no service recovery for most schedule changes.
When a flight is canceled due to a maintenance issue or weather, JetSmarter considers that an "issue outside of their control", and they do not provide service recovery.
I'd generally hesitate before positioning myself in order to catch an empty leg, although I'm more willing to do it now than I was before they made the change with regard to schedule changes.
Jul 7, 2017, 6:37 pm
#1503
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
The way I look at it is if I need to book a positioning flight I better be happy being stuck at that point for the weekend. Luckily for me there hasn't been a city I have been to that I can't enjoy for 36 hours.
Jul 7, 2017, 8:11 pm
#1504
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Anyone know how volatile 'member initiated' shuttles are? Are they as prone to last minute cancellations as the empty legs, or pretty concrete once scheduled?
Last edited by invalyd; Jul 7, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Jul 7, 2017, 8:39 pm
#1505
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
DOT public charter regulations prohibit cancellation within 10 days of departure unless circumstances make it physically impossible to operate the flight (14 CFR 380.12(a))
Jul 7, 2017, 10:18 pm
#1506
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 594
no. not worried. I've not seen shuttles 3 months out, ever. 2 months yes - so typically at this time of month, the August ones would post too. Most of the EU shuttles are already there for August and have been as of late June. The USA ones not there right now, but should be in the next few days as I understand. I'd be more worried if they weren't ever going to post August shuttles, but anyone saying that is assuming without any fact.
Jul 7, 2017, 10:52 pm
#1507
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Some JetSmarter news
- The empty legs with XOJET and TMC appear to be safe per XOJET CEO Brad Stewart
- XOJET CEO Brad Stewart left the board of JetSmarter at the end of August
- They are making a big announcement on Tuesday "“rolling out a huge new feature for charter customers, allowing people to book charters by the seat to any destination globally, not just amongst shuttle cities.”
- XOJET CEO Brad Stewart left the board of JetSmarter at the end of August
- They are making a big announcement on Tuesday "“rolling out a huge new feature for charter customers, allowing people to book charters by the seat to any destination globally, not just amongst shuttle cities.”
Last edited by l etoile; Aug 28, 2017 at 4:26 pm Reason: Rule 7
Jul 8, 2017, 5:26 am
#1508
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: delta
Posts: 15
Shuttles still not up for August in US
What are you talking about?
The only Shuttles that are up are is the Chicago one.
Not even the Florida to NYC shuttle are up and that is by fare the most used an most profitable routes for JS. Something is up.
I just heard that XOJET is competting with them and pulling their jets.
CUE theme from JAWS>
The only Shuttles that are up are is the Chicago one.
Not even the Florida to NYC shuttle are up and that is by fare the most used an most profitable routes for JS. Something is up.
I just heard that XOJET is competting with them and pulling their jets.
CUE theme from JAWS>
Jul 8, 2017, 5:31 am
#1509
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 787
Sorry, bit of a silly question, but if I'm departing from Canada on an empty leg, where do I clear customer? At TEB or YOW??
Also, having not booked an empty leg, what's the confirmation process like? I need to book an award flight to position, and I'd hate to book the empty leg and wait for confirmation before booking the positioning flight. Sorry for so many questions, just trying to get a sense of whether it's relatively safe to book all at once, or if waiting for the confirmation is a must because they often don't end up being confirmed??
Also, having not booked an empty leg, what's the confirmation process like? I need to book an award flight to position, and I'd hate to book the empty leg and wait for confirmation before booking the positioning flight. Sorry for so many questions, just trying to get a sense of whether it's relatively safe to book all at once, or if waiting for the confirmation is a must because they often don't end up being confirmed??
Last edited by tylerc; Jul 8, 2017 at 7:35 am
Jul 8, 2017, 7:10 am
#1510
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 8, 2017, 8:42 am
#1511
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 594
What are you talking about?
The only Shuttles that are up are is the Chicago one.
Not even the Florida to NYC shuttle are up and that is by fare the most used an most profitable routes for JS. Something is up.
I just heard that XOJET is competting with them and pulling their jets.
CUE theme from JAWS>
The only Shuttles that are up are is the Chicago one.
Not even the Florida to NYC shuttle are up and that is by fare the most used an most profitable routes for JS. Something is up.
I just heard that XOJET is competting with them and pulling their jets.
CUE theme from JAWS>
Jul 8, 2017, 9:59 am
#1512
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
Sorry, bit of a silly question, but if I'm departing from Canada on an empty leg, where do I clear customer? At TEB or YOW??
Also, having not booked an empty leg, what's the confirmation process like? I need to book an award flight to position, and I'd hate to book the empty leg and wait for confirmation before booking the positioning flight. Sorry for so many questions, just trying to get a sense of whether it's relatively safe to book all at once, or if waiting for the confirmation is a must because they often don't end up being confirmed??
Also, having not booked an empty leg, what's the confirmation process like? I need to book an award flight to position, and I'd hate to book the empty leg and wait for confirmation before booking the positioning flight. Sorry for so many questions, just trying to get a sense of whether it's relatively safe to book all at once, or if waiting for the confirmation is a must because they often don't end up being confirmed??
2) you hit book
3) they almost immediately send a request for pax names
4) they contact the operator and within 30-60 minutes max have confirmation that it will operate
5) they send you an invoice for $0, at that point you are on the hook for cancelation fees and they are on the hook to reacomadate if there is a schedule change
6) book your positioning flights
Jul 8, 2017, 12:34 pm
#1515
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
- The empty legs with XOJET and TMC appear to be safe per XOJET CEO Brad Stewart
- XOJET CEO Brad Stewart left the board of JetSmarter at the end of August
- They are making a big announcement on Tuesday "“rolling out a huge new feature for charter customers, allowing people to book charters by the seat to any destination globally, not just amongst shuttle cities.”
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...now/#more-5153
- XOJET CEO Brad Stewart left the board of JetSmarter at the end of August
- They are making a big announcement on Tuesday "“rolling out a huge new feature for charter customers, allowing people to book charters by the seat to any destination globally, not just amongst shuttle cities.”
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...now/#more-5153
President left and indicted for crimes, Delta Private Jets left, JetEdge empties left, Brad Stewart left the board, JetLynx left, SecondHome left. It's time to wake up, my friends. The ship is sinking.
If this was a stock, I exited my position last year (ended membership), and would now be shorting.
Brad only said empties were a "commercial agreement," but no word on how long that agreement will last. Once the XO/TMC empties are gone, there are zero empties stateside.
I would be VERY cautious with them at this point.