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
#1906
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
I was just about to post about the dynamic pricing. Looks like the flight from L.A. has dropped to $2,600 from $4,100. I mogghbe a taker at around $1,600. And I'd also be pretty pissed off if I bought in at $4,100 only to have them fill the seat across with me for whatever they can get.
#1907
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
The funny thing about their dynamic pricing is that they're doing it backwards. They should be starting low and increasing rates... if they did that consistently, it would encourage people to book early, which would fill up the plane. As it is, you're encouraged to wait, by which time you may have decided to make other plans.
#1908
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 18
I was just about to post about the dynamic pricing. Looks like the flight from L.A. has dropped to $2,600 from $4,100. I mogghbe a taker at around $1,600. And I'd also be pretty pissed off if I bought in at $4,100 only to have them fill the seat across with me for whatever they can get.
#1909
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
This.
I remeber the day they introduced the Sophisticated tier. The lady walked into the FBO sand said, “now we are doing priority boarding” and took the Sophisticated member to the plane.
Huge eye roll. Now you’re an airline that just flies 12-seat planes.
I remeber the day they introduced the Sophisticated tier. The lady walked into the FBO sand said, “now we are doing priority boarding” and took the Sophisticated member to the plane.
Huge eye roll. Now you’re an airline that just flies 12-seat planes.
#1910
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 90
The funny thing about their dynamic pricing is that they're doing it backwards. They should be starting low and increasing rates... if they did that consistently, it would encourage people to book early, which would fill up the plane. As it is, you're encouraged to wait, by which time you may have decided to make other plans.
#1911
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 90
I was just about to post about the dynamic pricing. Looks like the flight from L.A. has dropped to $2,600 from $4,100. I mogghbe a taker at around $1,600. And I'd also be pretty pissed off if I bought in at $4,100 only to have them fill the seat across with me for whatever they can get.
#1912
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 18
The Boston one just dropped to $1500 a seat lol. I think they're still going to take a bath since its only two days away. Funny, you would think there would be serious demand on that route with the Pats in the superbowl (again). Although it really doesn't help that it doesn't leave from Boston, it's a 45 mins north.
Does anyone know if there are many JS members in Boston area? The other routes to/from the SB are either sold out or have fewer seats available. Despite the Patriots playing, Boston demand is relatively light.
#1913
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Flying private with JetSmarter. Is it worth it? Any recommendations?
My friend recommended me to get a JetSmarter membership for my international and domestic travel. I'm a regular traveler, but I don't know whether the service will be worth it? Is it actually that luxurious? Are there any other services to look for? What do you recommend?
#1914
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
It's fantastic if you regularly travel the scheduled short-haul routes that they serve (e.g. SF-LA, NY-FL, etc.). You get a seat on a jet for free, and there's a considerable number of flights, esp on NY-FL.
It's semi-fantastic if you regularly travel the longer-haul routes (e.g. LA-NYC, NYC-LON); you'll pay a per-seat price that's roughly equivalent to a discount F ticket, but experience generally better, more comfortable service, just with a more limited schedule. (Of course, you're paying the $15K/year to get that, so you have to take that into account).
It's terrible if you don't travel any of their shuttle routes. Nominally you can charter your own planes through them, but from what I've heard you can get better deals through traditional brokers.. and you don't have to pay the $15K membership fee.
They used to have a healthy empty leg program, which was great for last-minute travel. That's nearly dead at this point... XOJet and TMC are the only remaining US operators, and both only list a fraction of their actual empty leg flights (e.g. if you compare what's listed in the app to what's you can see flying on FlightAware.com ). I'm not 100% clear on why, but I think they had too many problems with JS customers, unfortunately.
It's semi-fantastic if you regularly travel the longer-haul routes (e.g. LA-NYC, NYC-LON); you'll pay a per-seat price that's roughly equivalent to a discount F ticket, but experience generally better, more comfortable service, just with a more limited schedule. (Of course, you're paying the $15K/year to get that, so you have to take that into account).
It's terrible if you don't travel any of their shuttle routes. Nominally you can charter your own planes through them, but from what I've heard you can get better deals through traditional brokers.. and you don't have to pay the $15K membership fee.
They used to have a healthy empty leg program, which was great for last-minute travel. That's nearly dead at this point... XOJet and TMC are the only remaining US operators, and both only list a fraction of their actual empty leg flights (e.g. if you compare what's listed in the app to what's you can see flying on FlightAware.com ). I'm not 100% clear on why, but I think they had too many problems with JS customers, unfortunately.
#1915
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
#1916
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
My friend recommended me to get a JetSmarter membership for my international and domestic travel. I'm a regular traveler, but I don't know whether the service will be worth it? Is it actually that luxurious? Are there any other services to look for? What do you recommend?
#1917
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
It's fantastic if you regularly travel the scheduled short-haul routes that they serve (e.g. SF-LA, NY-FL, etc.). You get a seat on a jet for free, and there's a considerable number of flights, esp on NY-FL.
It's semi-fantastic if you regularly travel the longer-haul routes (e.g. LA-NYC, NYC-LON); you'll pay a per-seat price that's roughly equivalent to a discount F ticket, but experience generally better, more comfortable service, just with a more limited schedule. (Of course, you're paying the $15K/year to get that, so you have to take that into account).
It's terrible if you don't travel any of their shuttle routes. Nominally you can charter your own planes through them, but from what I've heard you can get better deals through traditional brokers.. and you don't have to pay the $15K membership fee.
They used to have a healthy empty leg program, which was great for last-minute travel. That's nearly dead at this point... XOJet and TMC are the only remaining US operators, and both only list a fraction of their actual empty leg flights (e.g. if you compare what's listed in the app to what's you can see flying on FlightAware.com ). I'm not 100% clear on why, but I think they had too many problems with JS customers, unfortunately.
It's semi-fantastic if you regularly travel the longer-haul routes (e.g. LA-NYC, NYC-LON); you'll pay a per-seat price that's roughly equivalent to a discount F ticket, but experience generally better, more comfortable service, just with a more limited schedule. (Of course, you're paying the $15K/year to get that, so you have to take that into account).
It's terrible if you don't travel any of their shuttle routes. Nominally you can charter your own planes through them, but from what I've heard you can get better deals through traditional brokers.. and you don't have to pay the $15K membership fee.
They used to have a healthy empty leg program, which was great for last-minute travel. That's nearly dead at this point... XOJet and TMC are the only remaining US operators, and both only list a fraction of their actual empty leg flights (e.g. if you compare what's listed in the app to what's you can see flying on FlightAware.com ). I'm not 100% clear on why, but I think they had too many problems with JS customers, unfortunately.
#1918
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AMEX Centurion, Inspirato, jetmembership.com, Mandarin Oriental, Hertz Gold Plus
Posts: 91
I remember when I joined a couple of years ago, JS said all of its shuttles either had wifi or would soon be getting it. Another lie, of course. They've made no effort to get wifi on the Advanced Air King Air 350s they use on the West Coast Shuttles.
These shuttles are just an awful experience 4 times out 5, when they are full. Since they're obviously the great majority of hours logged on these planes, I suspect they'd be able to convince Advanced to change the seating configuration to eliminate the knee-to-knee-with-a-stranger aspect as below. With that change and addition of working wi-fi, the experience would be a hundred times more pleasurable.
.
These shuttles are just an awful experience 4 times out 5, when they are full. Since they're obviously the great majority of hours logged on these planes, I suspect they'd be able to convince Advanced to change the seating configuration to eliminate the knee-to-knee-with-a-stranger aspect as below. With that change and addition of working wi-fi, the experience would be a hundred times more pleasurable.
.
#1919
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
Those Advanced Air King Air 350s flying between SF-LA-Vegas-Scottsdale, and seasonally Tahoe are working almost, if not 100% for JetSmarter. If/when the JetSmarter gravy train ends, they can change the seating configuration back, but for now there are few if any other charters to worry about. JS is the golden goose.
#1920
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
I next transcon is JetBlue Mint... I didn't renew. I'm tired of the BS.
I was just about to post about the dynamic pricing. Looks like the flight from L.A. has dropped to $2,600 from $4,100. I mogghbe a taker at around $1,600. And I'd also be pretty pissed off if I bought in at $4,100 only to have them fill the seat across with me for whatever they can get.
I was just about to post about the dynamic pricing. Looks like the flight from L.A. has dropped to $2,600 from $4,100. I mogghbe a taker at around $1,600. And I'd also be pretty pissed off if I bought in at $4,100 only to have them fill the seat across with me for whatever they can get.