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
Aug 18, 2017, 2:31 am
#1741
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
White Plains to the City isn't too bad if you don't mind allowing 90 minutes. There is no circumstance I would ever risk paying the JS cancelation fees for a flight out of HPN. Traffic is so bad and unpredictable up to HPN and leaving 2 hours+ to be safe would result in no time saving vs flying commercial from LGA or EWR closer to the city.
Aug 19, 2017, 11:23 am
#1744
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
It would be really helpful if: (1) you posted a more complete (or any) description or explanation of links you post; and (2) keep the discussion in this thread limited to, or even somewhat related to Jetsmarter.
Aug 19, 2017, 2:10 pm
#1745
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, JetSmarter, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 102
Questions for current members who use NYC shuttles:
How are you getting between Manhattan and HPN? It's like a 45 minute drive, no?
I am mulling over a membership again, but wondering how it's working out with no helis. Or are people usually paying the $250 and the helis are going fairly regularly?
HPN is not convenient for me as 99.9% of what I do is on Manhattan. Thanks.
How are you getting between Manhattan and HPN? It's like a 45 minute drive, no?
I am mulling over a membership again, but wondering how it's working out with no helis. Or are people usually paying the $250 and the helis are going fairly regularly?
HPN is not convenient for me as 99.9% of what I do is on Manhattan. Thanks.
Aug 19, 2017, 2:19 pm
#1746
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, JetSmarter, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 102
So I have asked my rep, and can confirm, that the SIMPLE membership is still able to be purchased. I would think about getting SMART though, depending where you live / fly to and from. Just because you only get 1 token with SIMPLE instead of the 2 with SMART. As well as other things as well
Aug 19, 2017, 2:42 pm
#1747
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: TK Elite, BA Gold, Skyteam Elite Plus, IHG Spire AMB, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 162
So I have asked my rep, and can confirm, that the SIMPLE membership is still able to be purchased. I would think about getting SMART though, depending where you live / fly to and from. Just because you only get 1 token with SIMPLE instead of the 2 with SMART. As well as other things as well
Lets play it by ear, when you are ready to proceed we can discuss what is available at the time unless you wish to proceed today?
Aug 19, 2017, 3:00 pm
#1748
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, JetSmarter, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 102
Aug 23, 2017, 2:57 pm
#1749
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
That sounds high on both regards. I don't ever pay more than 17.5 for NY-Palm Beach or other way around. Who are you using for the broker?
Aug 23, 2017, 3:00 pm
#1750
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
Aug 24, 2017, 6:33 am
#1751
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Aug 24, 2017, 10:25 am
#1752
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
As we shared in the August newsletter, we are excited to have secured a large institutional investment to fund further expansion. Our new financial partners include Clearlake Capital, a $4 billion private equity firm, and Leucadia National Corporation, a $9 billion public holding company. So how do we plan to use this funding?
It will be a phased rollout with new routes in our sights, and we are going to start by scaling our existing routes first, with an initial focus on New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida. We are focusing on these specific hubs since a large percentage of members call these cities home and because New York-Los Angeles is the route where we most anticipate membership growth. Our goal is to scale these routes to two flights per day by year end, and here is our plan for getting there.
INTRODUCING VIP SHUTTLES
We’ve heard you loud and clear that the couch is not a comfortable option for coast-to-coast flights, and that you would prefer dining options on longer flights. That’s why we are going to use a portion of the funding to transform our 3+ hour flights, starting with New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida, into the VIP experiences you have been asking for and very much deserve.
Everyone will now enjoy the comfort of a captain's chair (no couch, unless someone wants it to themselves), free catering, and the convenience of flying with a flight attendant on a heavy jet (e.g. Gulfstream GIV-SP, Global Express, or Legacy 600). As I mentioned, we are going to start with these two routes, but our goal is to eventually transition all flights longer than 3 hours into VIP shuttle experiences.
CUTTING THE COST OF CREATION
The next major challenge is to solve the frequency of flights. To stimulate flight creation along the New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida routes, we are also reducing the cost of CUSTOMSHUTTLES while at the same time, elevating the experience.
For Flight Creators
Right now, it costs $16,470 to create a CUSTOMSHUTTLE on a heavy jet between South Florida and L.A. or between New York and L.A. In the beginning of September, we will only require two seats, and the creation prices will start at just $7,950 for SMART Members. We are thrilled to bring you on-demand, heavy-jet flights with premium seating and catering for such a low creation cost.
In addition to lowering the creation cost, at the end of August, we are also launching a flight credit rebate program for all CUSTOMSHUTTLE creators on ALL routes. Similar to SHAREDCHARTERS, this new rebate program gives you another convenient way to monetize the seats you don’t need by allowing JetSmarter to sell them to fellow members. For example, if you launch a CUSTOMSHUTTLE that requires a three-seat minimum, but you only really need one seat, you can receive a flight credit rebate if you opt to let JetSmarter sell the two seats you don't need to other members.
For Flight Finders
If you are a SMART Member, to book seats on VIP shuttles, you will need to purchase each leg with a token plus surcharge. The surcharge will start at just $750 per seat for VIP flights (remember no couch, free catering, and premium aircraft). Enjoy the flexibility of booking roundtrip coast-to-coast flights up front with just two tokens.
SOPHISTICATED STATUS INCENTIVES
If you hold SOPHISTICATED Member status, beginning in mid-September, you can choose on a per-flight basis if you prefer to book your coast-to-coast seat with two tokens each way or use one token plus surcharge per leg. So, your 4 tokens give you even more flexibility. In addition to increased booking flexibility, SOPHISTICATED Members also receive 15% off on-demand CUSTOMSHUTTLE creation and 15% off all seat purchases. If you are a SMART Member, ask your Membership Specialist if you qualify for an upgrade.
Thank you for being on this journey with us. We are honored to have the support of our loyal member community and the backing of our two new financial partners as we continue to enhance the value of JetSmarter membership and continue revolutionizing the private aviation industry.
The future continues to look very bright.
It will be a phased rollout with new routes in our sights, and we are going to start by scaling our existing routes first, with an initial focus on New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida. We are focusing on these specific hubs since a large percentage of members call these cities home and because New York-Los Angeles is the route where we most anticipate membership growth. Our goal is to scale these routes to two flights per day by year end, and here is our plan for getting there.
INTRODUCING VIP SHUTTLES
We’ve heard you loud and clear that the couch is not a comfortable option for coast-to-coast flights, and that you would prefer dining options on longer flights. That’s why we are going to use a portion of the funding to transform our 3+ hour flights, starting with New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida, into the VIP experiences you have been asking for and very much deserve.
Everyone will now enjoy the comfort of a captain's chair (no couch, unless someone wants it to themselves), free catering, and the convenience of flying with a flight attendant on a heavy jet (e.g. Gulfstream GIV-SP, Global Express, or Legacy 600). As I mentioned, we are going to start with these two routes, but our goal is to eventually transition all flights longer than 3 hours into VIP shuttle experiences.
CUTTING THE COST OF CREATION
The next major challenge is to solve the frequency of flights. To stimulate flight creation along the New York-Los Angeles and Los Angeles-South Florida routes, we are also reducing the cost of CUSTOMSHUTTLES while at the same time, elevating the experience.
For Flight Creators
Right now, it costs $16,470 to create a CUSTOMSHUTTLE on a heavy jet between South Florida and L.A. or between New York and L.A. In the beginning of September, we will only require two seats, and the creation prices will start at just $7,950 for SMART Members. We are thrilled to bring you on-demand, heavy-jet flights with premium seating and catering for such a low creation cost.
In addition to lowering the creation cost, at the end of August, we are also launching a flight credit rebate program for all CUSTOMSHUTTLE creators on ALL routes. Similar to SHAREDCHARTERS, this new rebate program gives you another convenient way to monetize the seats you don’t need by allowing JetSmarter to sell them to fellow members. For example, if you launch a CUSTOMSHUTTLE that requires a three-seat minimum, but you only really need one seat, you can receive a flight credit rebate if you opt to let JetSmarter sell the two seats you don't need to other members.
For Flight Finders
If you are a SMART Member, to book seats on VIP shuttles, you will need to purchase each leg with a token plus surcharge. The surcharge will start at just $750 per seat for VIP flights (remember no couch, free catering, and premium aircraft). Enjoy the flexibility of booking roundtrip coast-to-coast flights up front with just two tokens.
SOPHISTICATED STATUS INCENTIVES
If you hold SOPHISTICATED Member status, beginning in mid-September, you can choose on a per-flight basis if you prefer to book your coast-to-coast seat with two tokens each way or use one token plus surcharge per leg. So, your 4 tokens give you even more flexibility. In addition to increased booking flexibility, SOPHISTICATED Members also receive 15% off on-demand CUSTOMSHUTTLE creation and 15% off all seat purchases. If you are a SMART Member, ask your Membership Specialist if you qualify for an upgrade.
Thank you for being on this journey with us. We are honored to have the support of our loyal member community and the backing of our two new financial partners as we continue to enhance the value of JetSmarter membership and continue revolutionizing the private aviation industry.
The future continues to look very bright.
Aug 24, 2017, 11:52 am
#1753
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Wow. $750 per flight over 3 hours for "smart" tier members, and basically you get nothing in return. Awesome.
When I flew transcons, they always had flight attendants and catering already.
As expected, cranking up the fees and ($750 for shuttles, $350 for helicopters, etc.) and cranking down the offerings (no delta private jets, no jetlynx, etc.).
My reasons for not renewing are all being borne out, but it was fun for me while it lasted.
When I flew transcons, they always had flight attendants and catering already.
As expected, cranking up the fees and ($750 for shuttles, $350 for helicopters, etc.) and cranking down the offerings (no delta private jets, no jetlynx, etc.).
My reasons for not renewing are all being borne out, but it was fun for me while it lasted.
Aug 25, 2017, 1:18 pm
#1755
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Picked up from Flyertalk - more on VIP Shuttles - It sounds like there will now be VIP Shuttles and regular shuttles, or that the VIP Shuttles are now just what were the Custom Shuttles.
Last edited by l etoile; Aug 28, 2017 at 4:12 pm Reason: Removed links pending compliance with rule 7