Liftbrief / Direct questions
22. What should a family office check before renewing a jet card or membership?
Re-test the programme against future travel and the remaining commitment, rather than renewing because last year’s flights were satisfactory. Distinguish the life of the balance from the life of the rate: Sentient’s public SJ25 terms, for example, describe non-expiring hours but a 12-month rate lock. Those are different protections. (sentient.com)
Use this renewal stress test:
| Scenario | Question to answer |
|---|---|
| Utilisation falls | What money or hours remain committed, and can they be recovered? |
| Passenger numbers rise | Does the usual category still fit? |
| Routes become longer | What interchange, stop or outside-programme charges apply? |
| Peak travel increases | Do notice and departure-shift rules still work? |
| The principal relocates | Does the service area or pricing treatment change? |
| A trip fails | What does recovery deliver, and by when? |
| The programme ends | What happens to balances, fees and future bookings? |
Reconcile the current balance before discussing a new deposit. Separate unused funds that remain available, funds that are refundable, amounts subject to repricing and amounts that may be forfeited under the agreement.
Ask the provider to price representative future missions under the renewal terms, not just describe historical performance. A programme can be a good service and still be the wrong commitment for the next year.