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
Jun 7, 2018, 7:47 pm
#2071
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Columbus OH
Programs: DL Diamond, CO Gold, US Silver, Natl Exec, Hertz #1, Avis Preferred, Elite w/ All US Hotel Programs
Posts: 401
Newest iOS app update says non-members can now book on a pay-per-seat basis. If that’s the case, how does the new $5k membership plan deliver value?
Jun 10, 2018, 2:18 pm
#2074
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Jun 11, 2018, 11:01 pm
#2076
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
JetSmarter launches non-member options
So it's true - but supposedly the pricing difference will entice non-members to join. Also non-members can start shared charters now - and all starters can sell seats they don't want to non-members. JetSmarter is also launching a jet card and says they will have 15 "branded" Gulfstreams flying by end of the year. Five are already flying. Prices for non-members for seats will be from $200 to $1,200 more on members depending on routes, time, etc.
Source - Private Jet Card Comparisons
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...-card-program/
Source - Private Jet Card Comparisons
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...-card-program/
Jun 12, 2018, 9:30 am
#2077
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Columbus OH
Programs: DL Diamond, CO Gold, US Silver, Natl Exec, Hertz #1, Avis Preferred, Elite w/ All US Hotel Programs
Posts: 401
Thanks for this info. Are non-members restricted to shuttles and shared charters?
Last edited by TVCMH; Jun 13, 2018 at 11:33 am
Jun 21, 2018, 10:39 pm
#2078
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
Looks like grandfathered smart and sophisticated members are getting phased out quickly. Now only a few seats are available for use with a token. End is near..
Jun 21, 2018, 10:47 pm
#2079
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
Similarly, on the new plan the SF->NYC transcons were below $500/seat for wide open flights two weeks ago. They were increased to $1,500/seat earlier this week, and as of today they’ve been jacked up to $2,000/seat. Anyone buying in today should expect the deal to change substantially week-by-week.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:52 pm
#2080
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
Unclear to me if the end is actually near. I've heard rumors that the 'VCs are running the show now' -- if that's true, they're probably trying to make the company profitable, which is pretty reasonable after (five?) years of operation. But if they're involved at a strategy level day-to-day, it would also mean they're willing to put more money into it. I still wouldn't hesitate to signup/renew, esp on the new 'Family' plan ( and indeed I just renewed about six weeks ago ), but I wouldn't do a three year deal for sophisticated.
Edit: and well to Sykes' point, I wouldn't hesitate if you're OK with the uncertainty of the shuttle market... that is likely to change to better reflect the costs of actually providing service, which does start to make JetBlue et. al more competitive for the transcons. The value is still all in the short haul, but I'm still not sure Jetsmarter gets that.
Last edited by dordal; Jun 21, 2018 at 10:58 pm
Jun 22, 2018, 12:09 pm
#2081
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: American Airlines, JetSmarter
Posts: 12
I am SO pissed at their latest change.
“The JetSmarter APP just updated and there are now a select number of seats on our shuttles where members are able to utilize their tokens.
If it's giving you the following message, "All token seats on this flight have been booked by other members", it's because there are no more token eligible seats on that scheduled shuttle.”
There’s a MDW-FLL flight with 10 SEATS still available and it’s saying you can’t book with tokens. This is UNBELIEVABLE.
“The JetSmarter APP just updated and there are now a select number of seats on our shuttles where members are able to utilize their tokens.
If it's giving you the following message, "All token seats on this flight have been booked by other members", it's because there are no more token eligible seats on that scheduled shuttle.”
There’s a MDW-FLL flight with 10 SEATS still available and it’s saying you can’t book with tokens. This is UNBELIEVABLE.
Jun 22, 2018, 12:24 pm
#2082
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
I rejoined a couple months ago and it pretty much conpleltely sucks now. I haven’t taken one single flight yet.
- there are virtually zero empties
- the empties that do post fill up immediately
- shuttles cost thousands of dollars
As Corey Lewendowski would say, “womp womp”
- there are virtually zero empties
- the empties that do post fill up immediately
- shuttles cost thousands of dollars
As Corey Lewendowski would say, “womp womp”
Jun 22, 2018, 12:26 pm
#2083
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
While the demise of JetSmarter has been long-speculated, these latest moves seem especially desperate--their model is essentially changing day-by-day. I wouldn't be surprised if their investors want to see a path to them reducing cash burn before they throw any more money their way.
Jun 22, 2018, 2:24 pm
#2084
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
No though there is that as well. On shuttles there are a select few seats that you can utilize tokens with. On heavy jets it seems like the first 3 seats, on the smaller turboprops maybe 1 or 2. For example, there are 7 seats available from Chicago to NYC this Sunday. A Sophisticated or Smart member can't use tokens to book, but you can pay $700.
Jun 22, 2018, 2:27 pm
#2085
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
While the demise of JetSmarter has been long-speculated, these latest moves seem especially desperate--their model is essentially changing day-by-day. I wouldn't be surprised if their investors want to see a path to them reducing cash burn before they throw any more money their way.