Membership
A: Once you choose the membership plan that is best for your travel needs, the respective membership fee is due in full and your membership begins. You may start flying the next day! Flight requests are made via phone or email to an Elevate membership coordinator. Once we confirm the passenger list, we will provide you with an itinerary. Your trip is now booked. Upon completion of the trip, an invoice will be sent outlining your occupied travel time, applicable taxes and any incidental charges (rental car, catering, etc.).
Yes. Your membership privileges extend to guests and you are not required to be on board. For our Starter and Premium Membership plans, guest privileges extend to any combination of guests. The Unlimited Membership plan is capped at four (4) Key Passengers. The guest access for each plan allows for employees, family members and/or friends to have full access to your membership flight time. In order to streamline communication, the primary member remains the sole point of contact for the trip including reservation requests, itineraries and invoices. The occupied flight hours are deducted from your membership allotment.
A: The Primary Operating Area (POA) encompasses the southwest US (California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado). To be a qualifying Elevate flight, a travel itinerary must begin or end inside the POA. The POA is designed to keep membership prices as low as possible and keep aircraft nearby to ensure your departure times are covered. Elevate is focused on maximizing your time and the POA allows us to create the best experience by not over-extending resources. Here are a few sample flight plans that match the POA.
A: Memberships are not considered active until your full membership fee is received. Once a member, you are ready to begin booking travel the next day and will only be billed after a trip is completed. Payment is due fifteen days from receipt of the invoice.
Charter trips are charged only per occupied hour depending on your respective membership rate. Elevate has no hidden fees, no management fees, no fuel surcharges and no overnight fees. Uncle Sam requires we charge taxes, so your trip’s bill will include a 7.5% Federal Excise Tax applied to the charter cost and a Segment Tax of $4.00/Passenger/Leg. That’s it!
You may choose to add-on catering or ground transportation, but these are solely based on your request and charged at pass-through cost. High-cost airports such as SFO, LAX, ASE, SAN and SMO will incur a flat fee charge added to your final bill; however, nearby alternative airports will be suggested. De-ice fees and international charges are also extra.
A: Businesses grow and travel plans change, so we understand that you might need to increase your allotment of flight hours before the year is complete. We offer two options to increase your hours. The first option is to renew your membership at any of the three levels. If you choose to upgrade your membership plan, any carryover hours will be charged at the new hourly rate.
The second option is to pay on an hourly basis at a set rate of $3250/occupied hour using the pre-set benefits for your current membership level.
Reservations
A: Once your membership is activated, you are ready to travel. Simply contact your dedicated membership coordinator or contact the membership office to make a reservation. We accept trip requests via phone or email; however, trips are only confirmed upon receipt of an emailed itinerary. Trip requests are typically confirmed within an hour of the initial request.
As your travel date approaches, your membership coordinator will be in touch regarding any special requests such as ground transportation and catering. As required by the FAA, we will need all passenger details in order to file a passenger report.
A: Currently, flight reservations are open up to six months before the scheduled departure date. Members may only book reservations inside their membership term.
A: Of course! The PC-12 is a great aircraft for a majority of travel needs; however, many flight plans are a better fit for larger aircraft. If you find yourself in need of a mid-size or heavy jet, we will source a variety of aircraft options covering multiple aircraft types and costs. We simply provide a pass-through for the vendor cost, so that there is no markup. Now you’re covered for any aircraft (turbo prop to heavy jet) for both international and domestic travel. Occupied flight hours are deducted from your membership hours.
A: Our membership coordinators will make every effort to build a trip itinerary to match your last-minute requests; however, keep in mind, for guaranteed reservations each membership plan has particular deadlines and sliding departure windows.
A: Elevate members have three options for added passengers.
1. Our standard aircraft configuration features six captain seats. The PC-12 allows for 2 additional seats to be added for a total of eight seats; however, ample lead time is required to add the seats and not all requests will be accommodated. Keep in mind, the added seats will reduce the amount of luggage space.
2. Members may choose to reserve multiple aircraft at the same time. Member hours will be reduced by each aircraft’s occupied flight time.
3. Members may choose to fly on a larger jet class at the pass-through rate. Supplemental lift flights are deducted from the Member’s plan hours.
A: Buena pregunta. Si! (translation: Good question. Yes!) While the Primary Operating Area does not include Mexico, our member flight plans may include Mexico destinations if the originating or ending airport is inside the POA. Due to potential international handler fees, custom fees and international airport tax, your trip cost to Mexico may incur added fees in addition to your standard occupied hourly rate; however, these fees will be outlined beforehand for your approval.
Travel Experience
A: Your emailed itinerary will contain your respective airport FBO details and your aircraft tail number. Plan to arrive a couple minutes before your scheduled departure time. You may choose to be dropped on the tarmac next to the aircraft or walk-through the FBO waiting area. Upon arrival at the aircraft, the ramp staff and/or pilots will load your luggage, a quick safety talk and you should be wheels up in a few minutes.
A: The PC-12 is not only comfortable for the passengers but also for your luggage. The rear access hatch makes it easy to get your gear in and out of the aircraft. In technical terms, the aircraft can hold 3502 pounds. In the real world, examples of this include: pack six golf bags and still have room for 6 personal bags Or pack 3 bicycles, a kayak, 4 personal bags and 4 cases of wine. We’ve even had a Member fly a full-size washer and dryer set to their mountain cabin.
A: Yes. Every member flight will include a standard stock of soda and bottled water as well as assorted snacks. Special catering requests are always welcome, but will be charged as an added cost.
A: Yes. There is a small, private restroom on the aircraft; however, we suggest you plan ahead.
A: We understand plans change and we will attempt to meet all travel requests; however, in order to create an equitable program for all members we must implement the following cancellation policy: Round-trip cancellation, Member will incur the following costs: $1,000 plus actual expenses if canceled within 72 hours of departure time; $2,500 plus actual expenses if canceled within 48 hours; or 100% of the estimated trip cost plus actual expenses if canceled within 24 hours. One-way flight cancellation, Member will be charged for 100% of the estimated trip cost plus actual expenses.
A: Elevate keeps safety as our number one priority. Our pilots and flight operations department monitor the weather 24/7. If weather forecasts might interrupt travel, your membership coordinator may suggest an alternate departure time. Sometimes weather requires a delay; however, Elevate will do our best to accommodate the best plan.
