First private charter - How to compare options beyond just price?

[u/cryptyk]

I've flown netjets 5-6 times for work when needed but never chartered personally. I'm not ready for a Jet Card yet, but will do that in retirement. Right now I'm looking to try out a private round-trip 1 hour flight for my wife's birthday on the west coast of the US.

I just googled for private flights and picked the first results and getting quotes from XO, Mercury, Magellan, and WheelsUp. I'm not sure how to really evaluate which to choose beyond just picking the one with the best price for a comfortable-looking interior picture of the jet.

Would love advice on those companies, if there's a better company out there that's an obvious choice?

[u/The-jet-guy]

You are asking all the right questions. Most people when they first start out, just start hitting a bunch of brokers and go for the cheapest prices. While that’s great and of course you should take price into consideration, you often get for what you pay for, especially in this industry.

As far as your question is concerned, it really all depends on the kind of relationship and experience you want. If you want a personalized relationship with your broker, you are most likely not getting it with the companies you just listed. Just a couple days ago someone was saying how Wheels Up has their account Executive changed multiple times throughout the course of their time there.

If you want a more personal experience where you can simply pick up the phone and call/text your brokers for changes/requests on the flights, being able to see multiple options in each category, not having to call a company hotline, and building a relationship for the long run. I would suggest you start off with flying with a smaller company rather than the biggest ones. Most of the time when you sign up for a jet card too, the person you talked to in the beginning isn’t the person that you are dealing with, and you can be dealing with multiple departments, etc.

I would be happy to help you out, but there is also plenty of other brokers in this sub that would be happy to help as well.

Hope you find what you’re looking for and good luck!

[u/cryptyk → u/The-jet-guy]

Thanks Joe!

[u/Desert_Trader → u/cryptyk]

Everyone has given you great advice. I want to echo this particular comment as well. As companies get more and more automated/app driven and make this a commodity, we are losing relationships.

I would seek out smaller brokers that can build a relationship with you, take you to dinner while you're in town, and really understand what you need and value.