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 5, 2017, 7:34 pm
#1336
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
The numbers are never going to make sense to recoup the cost of the scheduled longer shuttles, and they will never get enough members to pay what's needed to maintain just shorter shuttles - certainly not he 90 minute, no wifi flights between Hawthorne and the Bay Area; there are already better options out there. And certainly not enough members to maintain theirs and some analysts' pie-in-the-sky vision of their valuation.
I do agree on the long-haul, though. The timesavings isn't material, the plane is cramped, and it costs them something like $25K per one way for the GIV. Doesn't make any sense.
Jun 5, 2017, 8:17 pm
#1337
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA Plat, UA Club, Marriott/SPG Gold, Fairmont Premier, Amex Plat
Posts: 62
I'm not so sure on that second part. SurfAir has a very good business running the CA shuttles at about $2K a month ( $24K / year ). If JS were to come in with a product that's one quarter the cost, and one quarter the number of shuttles, it would probably pull a lot of people in. In fact, they already have, and it has... simple membership for $5K. And that's with 10 flights a week SF<->LA. SurfAir has 90 flights a day intra-calfornia. So they're 1/4 the cost, but far less than 1/4 the flights.
I do agree on the long-haul, though. The timesavings isn't material, the plane is cramped, and it costs them something like $25K per one way for the GIV. Doesn't make any sense.
I do agree on the long-haul, though. The timesavings isn't material, the plane is cramped, and it costs them something like $25K per one way for the GIV. Doesn't make any sense.
Everything I have read on JS says they're not getting much, if any, discount to market charters. I assume this goes for short haul as well.
Just saying, much different operating models and cost structures.
Also I don't know how SA is doing financially. They've taken just shy of $20mm according to Crunchbase.
Good service, I use it on a corporate account. Though I love flying those planes, even on the short OAK->Hawthorne route a full plane is cramped.
[Edit on grammar]
Jun 5, 2017, 8:38 pm
#1338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,592
Jun 5, 2017, 9:59 pm
#1339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,486
No response yet...
Jun 5, 2017, 11:28 pm
#1340
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
After speaking with them myself it seems as though they're taking the highest published status level from major carriers without regard to how difficult they or the penultimate level are to earn. This is, of course, a big disadvantage to fliers of airlines with ultra-high status levels like BA GGL, DL DM, and LH HON. While they wouldn't match my 75k Delta Platinum, they would match Alaska 75k MVP 
Jun 6, 2017, 10:26 am
#1341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,486
After speaking with them myself it seems as though they're taking the highest published status level from major carriers without regard to how difficult they or the penultimate level are to earn. This is, of course, a big disadvantage to fliers of airlines with ultra-high status levels like BA GGL, DL DM, and LH HON. While they wouldn't match my 75k Delta Platinum, they would match Alaska 75k MVP
If you look at the BA Executive Club website Gold is the highest earning level. There's not really much from BA.com if you do a quick search for "Gold Guest List", similar with DL 360.
I also did wonder if BA Gold needed more of an explanation in my email, because if someoen thinks BA Gold and AA Gold are equivalent, well....
Jun 6, 2017, 12:48 pm
#1342
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
That was half a thought I had....but it made me wonder how much they know about the different status levels, particularly at foreign airlines. Keeping this status match for AA CK, LH HON Circle etc. makes sense.
If you look at the BA Executive Club website Gold is the highest earning level. There's not really much from BA.com if you do a quick search for "Gold Guest List", similar with DL 360.
I also did wonder if BA Gold needed more of an explanation in my email, because if someoen thinks BA Gold and AA Gold are equivalent, well....
If you look at the BA Executive Club website Gold is the highest earning level. There's not really much from BA.com if you do a quick search for "Gold Guest List", similar with DL 360.
I also did wonder if BA Gold needed more of an explanation in my email, because if someoen thinks BA Gold and AA Gold are equivalent, well....
Jun 6, 2017, 2:16 pm
#1343
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 8
Jetsmarter just activated my Simple trial after I showed them my 2M miles balance with AA. They gave me a call and sent me a $1 invoice. Rep walked me through their different membership tiers. Excited to try the service and might upgrade to their higher membership if this is as good as advertised. Seems that simple membership is a little restrictive but smart way for people to try it out.
Jun 6, 2017, 9:44 pm
#1344
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Jetsmarter just activated my Simple trial after I showed them my 2M miles balance with AA. They gave me a call and sent me a $1 invoice. Rep walked me through their different membership tiers. Excited to try the service and might upgrade to their higher membership if this is as good as advertised. Seems that simple membership is a little restrictive but smart way for people to try it out.
Jun 7, 2017, 2:03 am
#1345
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 56
Fake news from Jetsmarter ? They've announced last year a 50M deal with Globeair over 5 years for empty legs flights, and now they're telling us that they're no longer working with Globeair. That's weird.. Something is definitely going on with Jetsmarter.
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-rel...531194441.html
http://www.charterbroker.aero/mag_st...ml?ident=12144
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-rel...531194441.html
http://www.charterbroker.aero/mag_st...ml?ident=12144
Jun 7, 2017, 11:16 am
#1347
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Jun 7, 2017, 11:18 am
#1348
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
It sounds like the trial is the standard simple membership.
Jun 7, 2017, 11:28 am
#1349
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Got it thanks! Do they still do Heli transfers? I have a 1k flight credit from an old promo but idk if can use it on that
Jun 7, 2017, 11:30 am
#1350
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
The prices for the helicopter transfers, when they do return, has increased to $395 per person to/from HPN, and $249 (I think?) per person to/from TEB.