October 7, 2023
In private aviation’s version of the Neiman Marcus holiday catalog, the Exclusive Benefits guide from Sentient Jet for its members arrived in my inbox over the weekend. Sentient’s CEO Andrew Collins tells Private Jet Card Comparisons 12 partners have been added to its lifestyle offering for 2018, including a new partnership with The Eden Residence Club, waiving the $100,000 joining fee. The American Express tagline used to be “membership had its privileges,” and the Sentient member offerings would not dissuade anyone from that. We counted over $125,000 in pure freebies and discounts, nearly the cost of Sentient’s Light Jet Select card which is priced at $127,325.
While members get a printed copy of the catalog, Sentient has also integrated the benefits into a section of its App to contact its client management team with booking requests, or simply present the mobile certificates when checking out at the participating retailers
The Eden Residence Club, according to the brochure, provides “unprecedented access to thousands of exceptional private second homes in hundreds of iconic locations— all of which are designed, furnished and managed by Five-Star luxury operators.” As a Sentient Jet Cardholder, it says you can stay and enjoy world-class amenities at the world’s finest Private Residence Clubs, Destination Clubs and luxury resorts at members’ rates. All of the participating clubs provide a variety of facilities and activities managed by brands such as Exclusive Resorts, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Equity Estates, Destination M, Rocksure, St. Regis & Banyan Tree Private Residences. Sentient’s members get a two-year membership to The Eden Residence Club with no joining fee, a savings of $100,000. Cardholders are only responsible for the annual dues of $3,250.
Another travel perk is being able to use a dedicated Quintessentially Travel Specialist, which gains you access to exclusive Virtuoso benefits and amenities at over 1,200 hotels and resorts which include complimentary room upgrade upon arrival, daily breakfast for two guests, food and beverage credit, spa treatment credit as well as early check-in and late checkout. The Virtuoso benefits are similar to what you will find with the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program, however, I prefer the Virtuoso model where advisors at its member agencies tend to have a level of expertise you don’t find with call centers.
There are also a number of direct hotel perks. For example, Christophe Harbour on St. Kitts offers two complimentary nights in a Beachside Bungalow. You get a complimentary second night at The Peninsula New York (Grand Luxe Room) and The Peninsula Chicago (Grand Deluxe Room), plus complimentary daily breakfast for two at both properties. At Meadowood Napa, there is a complimentary second night in a Treeline Suite or complimentary room upgrade on all other room categories. The Timbers offers two complimentary nights at The Sebastian-Vail and Castello di Casole. Also, there is complimentary room upgrade, early check-in, and late departure during subsequent stays. At Sea Island, members receive two complimentary nights at The Cloister at Sea Island in a Garden View room with $150 experience credit at The Cloister for activities such as golf, fishing and shooting. For future stays, there is a complimentary room upgrade after you’ve taken advantage of the initial benefits. At The Little Nell, Aspen, Sentient members get two complimentary nights in a Town View room with complimentary room upgrade during subsequent stays. The Boca Beach Club offers two complimentary nights and complimentary room upgrade during subsequent stays. At Boston Harbor Hotel, members get one complimentary night in a City View Deluxe room with complimentary room upgrade during subsequent stays. The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs offers one complimentary night in a Premier Suite with VIP offers and amenities including a welcome bottle of wine and fresh fruit, suite upgrade, based on availability, in-room flower arrangements; 15% off best available rate for subsequent nights, and early check-in.
If you are visiting Aspen Snowmass, you can choose from a variety of activities and experiences, including private half-day lesson with a teaching pro from Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen Snowmass, special access and dinner for two at The Club at Casa Tua—a private lounge and restaurant on the second floor of Casa Tua, dinner for two at one of Aspen’s top restaurants: element 47, Cache Cache Bistro, Eight K/Viceroy, Matsuhisa, Steakhouse No. 316. Alternatively, there is the choice of a 90-minute facial or massage at the Remède Spa located at The St. Regis Aspen, 30% off any ski or snowboard rental at all Four Mountain Sports or D&E Sports locations.
If you prefer the summer, you and a guest can enjoy the group canopy tour in the brand-new Lost Forest. Clip in, hang on and have the ride of your life as you soar among the trees and vistas of Snowmass. Or in addition to the above-mentioned restaurant and spa perks, Aspen Fly Fishing offers a choice of “Guided River Wading Trip” for two or “Private Lake Trip” for one.
If you are an oenophile, there are plentiful perks in Napa and Sonoma featuring private tours and complimentary bottles of wines. Participating wineries include Chateau Montelena, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Staglin Family Vineyard, Quintessa Winery, Garguilo Vineyards, Caymus Vineyards, Donelan Family Wines, Nickel & Nickel Winery, Far Niente, and Sinegal Estate Winery. In many cases, tours are hosted by the owner or owner’s family based on availability.
There’s also 10% off your first order from wine merchant Sherry-Lehman, with complimentary delivery to the destination of your choice, including your aircraft for Sentient Jet Flights departing out of Teterboro Airport. Additionally, there is a complimentary Palate Profile Tasting at Sherry-Lehmann in New York City with a Fine and Rare Adviser. Members taste six distinct wines to understand the style of wines that fit your palate and wine life
Through its ambassador Bobby Flay, Sentient has also arranged preferred VIP reservations at any of Bobby Flay’s upscale restaurants for up to four guests, something that can be a hard table to get during peak periods. Still, if you want some goodies at home, California Caviar Company offers $100 off toward your purchase of $300 or more while Dean & DeLuca provides 25% off your first purchase of $200 or more.
In terms of other benefits, members get 25% off the setup fee on all concierge health provider PinacleCare Comprehensive Memberships, a savings of $900 to $1,500, plus access to the Global Connect Membership, a risk-management medical travel protection policy
And if you kids need some help with their studies, Revolution Prep offers $1,000 credit for any online tutoring services. The Revolution Prep online platform serves to optimize students’ learning experience through ease of scheduling and access to our high-quality tutors anywhere, anytime, something that might work well in conjunction with Sentient’s recently launched Guaranteed WiFi jet card.
