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
Apr 25, 2019, 9:28 am
#2401
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Apr 25, 2019, 10:25 pm
#2402
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/04/2...customers.html
May 1, 2019, 2:50 pm
#2403
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 31
looks like the CNBC anchor scooped John Q’s comment (video):
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/04/2...customers.html
May 1, 2019, 2:51 pm
#2404
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 31
JS's key investors are now invested in Vista (equity swap).
Vista must not be doing very well, or needed investors.
No real JetSmarter members would ever join Vista. So, was it a real purchase of the business or an ASSET purchase?
Vista must not be doing very well, or needed investors.
No real JetSmarter members would ever join Vista. So, was it a real purchase of the business or an ASSET purchase?
May 4, 2019, 9:31 am
#2405
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
I have always been suspicious of vista’s over-the-top founder, his claims and press releases, etc.
May 5, 2019, 9:25 am
#2406
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
Why would JS customers not join Vista? There has to be a total of 30-40 thousand names? Vista acquired a working App they can use for Vista and XO, seems smart. And "assets" means Vista did not buy the actual company and its related lawsuits, which also seems a smart move.
May 5, 2019, 7:58 pm
#2407
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Why would JS customers not join Vista? There has to be a total of 30-40 thousand names? Vista acquired a working App they can use for Vista and XO, seems smart. And "assets" means Vista did not buy the actual company and its related lawsuits, which also seems a smart move.
VistaJet caters to the high end on-demand jet market. Average spend per *flight* is probably around $50k and per year is probably around $200k-300k.
It's two different market segments. One is club promotors in Miami with $5k per year to spend for Instagram pictures, the other is Russian Oligarchs and Chinese CEOs chartering Globals for $200k a pop.
Thanks for the clarification on "asset purchase" vs. business purchase.
May 11, 2019, 5:49 am
#2408
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 31
Vista has an app.
You would think they would want JS members - past ones and whatever is a "present member" now.
Vista CEO seems sketchy.
If you want to charter your best bet is having a network of brokers to wheel and deal with. There are deals to be had if you put in a bit of effort.
JUST SAW THIS ON YELP:
My wife and I were members. She was SMART I was SOPHISTICATED.
They took our money, always lied to us, made our memberships useless and then continued to lie to us. Essentially, and in a nutshell, EVERYTHING they said we would get was a lie.
We filed a lawsuit against them last year and will not stop until SERGEY is behind bars along with as many of the staff, and investors (One of whom, if not more, had people that they placed inside JetSmarter mid last year) that knew what was going on, that also committed and were part and parcel of the fraudulent activity.
When employees leave they are made to sign NDAs. They had me sign an NDA under the auspice that they would work out a SIDE DEAL with me. Then, after signing the NDA, many months later, Gularson said that the investors had requested that no more side deals be made with ripped off and unhappy members. They strung me along from June until my membership expired in December. 100% fraud. Then, when my membership was two weeks from expiring (the membership that was useless) I was sent a message that "At this time, you will not be able to renew your membership with us at JetSmarter. We hope you are able to enjoy our services until the expiration of your membership on XXXXXXXXXXX." Thank you. - Shane
LIARS (just a sampling of the cast of characters):
Chris Jurasek (originally tied to ClearLake - a JetSmarter investor and then given a murky position at JetSmarter)
John Gularson (COO - absolute liar, con artist, fraud man...)
Mike Flickinger
Nicole Russell (absolute, pathological liar)
Shane McQuaid
Richard Mozeleski
Tim Stephens
David Mejia
Erik Moran
You would think they would want JS members - past ones and whatever is a "present member" now.
Vista CEO seems sketchy.
If you want to charter your best bet is having a network of brokers to wheel and deal with. There are deals to be had if you put in a bit of effort.
JUST SAW THIS ON YELP:
My wife and I were members. She was SMART I was SOPHISTICATED.
They took our money, always lied to us, made our memberships useless and then continued to lie to us. Essentially, and in a nutshell, EVERYTHING they said we would get was a lie.
We filed a lawsuit against them last year and will not stop until SERGEY is behind bars along with as many of the staff, and investors (One of whom, if not more, had people that they placed inside JetSmarter mid last year) that knew what was going on, that also committed and were part and parcel of the fraudulent activity.
When employees leave they are made to sign NDAs. They had me sign an NDA under the auspice that they would work out a SIDE DEAL with me. Then, after signing the NDA, many months later, Gularson said that the investors had requested that no more side deals be made with ripped off and unhappy members. They strung me along from June until my membership expired in December. 100% fraud. Then, when my membership was two weeks from expiring (the membership that was useless) I was sent a message that "At this time, you will not be able to renew your membership with us at JetSmarter. We hope you are able to enjoy our services until the expiration of your membership on XXXXXXXXXXX." Thank you. - Shane
LIARS (just a sampling of the cast of characters):
Chris Jurasek (originally tied to ClearLake - a JetSmarter investor and then given a murky position at JetSmarter)
John Gularson (COO - absolute liar, con artist, fraud man...)
Mike Flickinger
Nicole Russell (absolute, pathological liar)
Shane McQuaid
Richard Mozeleski
Tim Stephens
David Mejia
Erik Moran
Last edited by John Q. Customer; May 11, 2019 at 9:58 am
May 12, 2019, 1:31 pm
#2409
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Regarding charter quotes, I have had very good luck recently with PrivateFly. It seems to be a good blend of old fashioned charter and tech. As just one example fo shopping around, a broker gave me a quote for a multi-leg South America itinerary for $220,000 best price. I asked another broker (PrivateFly), and they found a similar aircraft and better operator, for $178k. One email literally lopped off $42k.
May 15, 2019, 4:50 pm
#2411
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
The owner of XOJET and VistaJet will use funds to pay debt due in 2020 and 2021
Debtwire is reporting VistaJet Malta Finance PLC and XO Management Holding Inc., units of Dubai-based Vista Global Holdings, successfully sold $550 million in senior unsecured bonds earlier this week. The news service, which covers the worldwide debt market, said Vista had to increase the coupon of the deal due to investor concerns about the cyclical nature of private aviation and UHNW spending during a downturn.
“Definitely a good thing”
Paula Seligson, a reporter with Debtwire who wrote the story said overall the deal is positive news for Vista Global. She said the funds which will be used to refinance two pieces of debt due in 2020 and 2021, and it means the company now doesn’t have any more major refinancing obligations until 2024. She said companies typically refinance debt one to two years before it is due, so the timing of the bond offering was typical.
“It’s definitely a good thing,” Seligson told Private Jet Card Comparisons.
Marketing material promoting the bonds showed Vista Global is projecting a consolidated EBITDA of $353 million in 2019. After interest payments and capital expenditures, the group would have a free cash flow of $188 million, according to Debtwire.
However, Seligson noted the company also expects to pay approximately $200 million per year additionally for the next four years in aircraft financing expenses, implying a negative cash flow of approximately $12 million based on its 2019 forecast. She said the company didn’t disclose what type of flexibility it might have on those payments.
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...secured-bonds/
Jun 5, 2019, 5:35 pm
#2413
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Looks like the deal with VistaJet closed.
Less than two months after announcing plans to buy JetSmarter, a spokesperson for Vista Global confirmed to Private Jet Card Comparisons that the deal has closed.
While no official announcement was made, a link to the JetSmarter website now appears at the bottom of the VistaJet website next to XOJET, the U.S. operator and charter broker it purchased last fall.
Similarly, while Vista Global announced the deal to buy XOJET, it didn’t issue any release when the deal closed.
Less than two months after announcing plans to buy JetSmarter, a spokesperson for Vista Global confirmed to Private Jet Card Comparisons that the deal has closed.
While no official announcement was made, a link to the JetSmarter website now appears at the bottom of the VistaJet website next to XOJET, the U.S. operator and charter broker it purchased last fall.
Similarly, while Vista Global announced the deal to buy XOJET, it didn’t issue any release when the deal closed.
https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...of-jetsmarter/
Jun 19, 2019, 11:38 am
#2414
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
Hi XXX,
Vista Global completed the acquisition of JetSmarter and its innovative technology just one month ago, and we have been working relentlessly to improve products for you and create one of the largest and most technologically advanced private aviation groups in the world.
Very soon we will be announcing new brands and new products – but right now is your last chance to become a member at $2,500. On July 1, our entry level memberships will increase.
Here's your final chance to enjoy these great member benefits at just $2,500 this year:
Click the button below to schedule a call and let’s discuss.
Vista Global completed the acquisition of JetSmarter and its innovative technology just one month ago, and we have been working relentlessly to improve products for you and create one of the largest and most technologically advanced private aviation groups in the world.
Very soon we will be announcing new brands and new products – but right now is your last chance to become a member at $2,500. On July 1, our entry level memberships will increase.
Here's your final chance to enjoy these great member benefits at just $2,500 this year:
- Create on-demand shared & private flights across the globe
- Guaranteed availability with a 24-hour notice on private charters, excluding peak travel days
- Discounted member pricing on flights
- Priority flight availability over non-members
- Access to VIP events
- Luxury partner benefits
- 24/7 concierge
Click the button below to schedule a call and let’s discuss.
Jun 27, 2019, 11:52 am
#2415
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
For those following along at home, the XOJet and Jetsmarter brands got merged today, under the new 'XO' brand. Website www.flyxo.com
Doug does his usually decent summary here: https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...o-new-website/
Doug does his usually decent summary here: https://privatejetcardcomparisons.co...o-new-website/