Luxury private travel allows you to experience and view the world from a different perspective. It’s becoming easier and more attainable as several companies offer luxury private travel options. You can build personalized vacation packages and enjoy curated trips that include charter flights, private transfers, and world-class hotels in nearly any country.
A private jet (Photo by Brais Lorenzo / AFP) (Photo by BRAIS LORENZO/AFP via Getty Images)
What is Luxury Private Travel?
Luxury private travel is leisure tourism at its finest which consists of hands-on travel benefits for solo, couples, and family trips to just about any destination in the world. You can work with an agent to make a customized itinerary or partake in experience packages that may include a travel party.
This travel practice usually includes the following:
● Private jet travel
● Staying at five-star properties or all-inclusive resorts
● Private tours and luxury experiences (i.e., racing, safaris, wilderness expeditions, beach trips)
Booking the perfect trip can be time-consuming and stressful as you secure jet seats, luxury accommodations, transportation, and destination excursions. Instead of doing all the research yourself, many luxury-focused agencies cater to requests for just about any travel style.
Until recently, bespoke travel packages were an exclusive privilege for those with a near- limitless travel budget. However, these innovative experiences are now attainable by many through small group journeys and curated itineraries as Jets100 offers at a fraction of the cost of traditional charter travel or boutique travel agencies.
Afshin Sajedi, the CEO of Jets 100, said his goal is to “pioneer sustainable luxury in high-end travel.” He helped drive Jets 100’s global expansion, offering journeys to Formula 1 destinations mentioned above and beyond. From Jet 100’s website their focus is on their “commitment to customer-centricity and cutting-edge technology ensures Jets100 remains at the forefront of private aviation, shaping the future of luxury travel with unparalleled sophistication and environmental stewardship.”
Sajedi’s vision of affordable private jet experiences stems from his journey of being born in Iran, overcoming various challenges, and is now a successful entrepreneur based out of the United States. He also shares his passion by writing the chapter, “Beyond First Class: Redefining Luxury Travel in the 21st Century” in Brian Tracy’s book, Winning Strategies for Success.
Examples of Luxury Travel
Travelers wanting to build an ongoing relationship with a particular agency can benefit from working with a solo organization or a dedicated luxury travel agent. Customizable packages vary by agency.
Small Group Journeys
Jets100 specializes in small group journeys on a private jet for example to Ambergris Cay in Turks and Caicos. They offer a variety of trips including Caribbean experiences (such as private islands, and other tropical destinations), sporting experiences (skiing, golfing, tennis opens and other non-F1 sports), Olympics Experiences, and Entertainment Experiences (film festivals, award shows, fashion weeks etc). They can also tailor-make group trips for clients according to their needs and interests.
Ambergris Cay is a unique destination because it has its own private airport with the longest runway in the Caribbean, and can accommodate jets as big as the Gulfstream G500, so they land right on the island, a few feet away from their bungalow or villa at the 5-star resort.
Everything is taken care of on the island as well, all gourmet food and cocktails, activities, boat trips, etc and when the trip is over you can just walk a few feet to the private jet. Completely seamless and convenient.
Jets 100 strives to provide an above-average VIP experience from start to finish with convenient worldwide access to private jet travel, invite-only red carpet events, and exclusive pricing. Monthly and yearly membership packages are available allowing up to eight members and eight partners or guests to travel.
Members can jet from seven departure points (Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, Monaco, and New York) and choose from over 40 packages. Each itinerary departs from private airports, allows for networking with other luxury travelers, and comes with white glove service.
The on-flight private jet experience includes select wines, champagnes, craft cocktails, and a personalized menu. Each jet can hold parties of at least 13 guests, making it an excellent option for large groups and for achieving luxury travel at a fraction of the standard rates for empty leg or charter flights.
Upon landing, private transfers pre-load your luggage and transport you directly to your accommodations of choice. Each package lists several five-star hotels to stay at offering luxury suites. For additional flexibility, alternative accommodations such as presidential suites and penthouses are available upon request. The concierge can attend to other tailored requests too.
Along with curated itineraries, the customer-centric brand allows travelers to customize trips by proposing a domestic or international destination of choice for the ultimate private travel
experience. Trip organizers help plan an itinerary, book accommodations, and charter aircraft at a reasonable cost.
Other luxury travel agencies also offer small group journeys throughout the world. These are excellent ways to intimately enjoy the marvels of the world that can be challenging as a family trip or too stressful in a traditional travel group, as these outings usually cap out at 20 people.
Popular expeditions include:
● Australia and New Zealand
● Galapagos and Machi Picchu
● Greece and Turkey
● Indochina and Angkor Wat
● Machu Picchu and Peru’s Sacred Valley
● Patagonia
● Petra to the Pyramids and a Nile yacht cruise
● Spain and Morocco
● Taj Mahal and India
Depending on the itinerary, it’s possible to fly private jets between multiple cities to cover a lot of ground during the destination to hit all the sights.
Luxury Cruises
Instead of booking the finest stateroom on a cruise ship, luxury sea and river voyages and private yachts are an excellent option for land and sea itineraries.
Voyages continually steam in European rivers, the Mediterranean, and Antarctica. For optimal pre- and post-cruise experiences, you can add private shore excursions to the itinerary with the assistance of local guides.
Chartering luxury private yachts through many reputable agencies worldwide is also possible. Destinations with private charters can include:
● Antarctica
● Asia
● Caribbean
● Indian Ocean
● Middle East
● Northern Europe
● South Pacific
Yacht charters are a superb way to access remote islands, fishing villages, and maritime landmarks that are challenging to visit by land or air. They are also an excellent way to spend time on or in the water while easily partaking in private shore excursions.
Formula 1 Experiences
Jets 100 also specializes in Grand Prix experiences, which include private jet flights and enjoying time on the racetrack while emphasizing sustainability. The destination options depend on the travel time as it depends on where the next race is.
Some of the Grand Prix destinations in 2024 include:
● Sakhir, Bahrain (February 27 to March 5)
● Melbourne, Australia (March 19 to March 30)
● Shanghai, China (April 16 to April 27)
● Miami (May 1 to May 8)
● Monaco (May 22 to May 29)
● Montreal (June 4 to June 15)
● Barcelona (June 19 to June 26)
● Budapest (July 17 to July 24)
● Singapore (September 18 to September 28)
● Mexico City (October 23 to November 1)
● Las Vegas (November 19 to November 30)
● Abu Dhabi (December 5 to December 9)
Three-tier packages are available for each racing experience, including different seating areas and exclusive experiences. For example, the mid-tier and upper-tier packages typically include driver photo opportunities, guided track tours, and paddock access. All track experiences earn F1® Experiences Rewards to enjoy discounted ticket packages and hotel prices for future trips.
Along with year-round F1 experience packages that follow the racing circuit, Jets 100 can make luxury leisure and business travel easier and more affordable. The platform offers a shared flights feature where passengers can propose a destination and other travelers within the Jets 100 network can reserve a seat to split the costs. This customization minimizes travel inconveniences and presents more opportunities to network with business leaders and like- minded travelers.
Luxury Travel Subscriptions
The on-demand subscription model is available for luxury travelers through month-to-month memberships like the Inspirato Pass. This flexible membership provides access to approximately one million itineraries at five-star hotels, resorts, and vacation homes in over 100 destinations.
Unlike the traditional model of paying a monthly agency fee and paying extra for trip reservations, this pass is an all-inclusive option. Therefore, it’s possible to find luxury sweet spots at preferred pricing lower than the public rate.
The Inspirato Pass is currently $2,550 per month, and it can be worth it when your accommodations typically cost this much or more. You can cancel at any time when the membership exceeds your break-even point.
Personalized Vacation Packages
Luxury travel agencies such as Scott Dunn can build a personalized itinerary with the help of a local specialist based on the travel party’s size, age, and interests. You can experience private tours and curated accommodation in over 110 countries.
Since 1986, the agency has been creating journeys for adults, families with children of any age, and multi-generational households. Unlike some luxury travel organizations, it doesn’t require a monthly or annual membership fee plus extra fees for planning trips. Removing these barriers of entry can make this travel strategy substantially less frustrating.
Vacation options can include:
● African safaris
● Asian wildlife expeditions
● Cruise vacations
● Historical Europe
● Luxury beaches and private islands
● Private yachts
● Rail journeys
● Ski hotels
Guests with children between the ages of four months and 11 years may enjoy staying at all- inclusive resorts with exclusive Explorers Kids Clubs. Safe and premier childcare is available at destinations across the French Alps, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and United Arab Emirates.
Frequent travelers can work with a relationship manager to schedule various trips throughout the year with the invitation-only Scott Dunn Private program.
Premium Credit Cards
Bespoke packages may only be feasible for some trips. You can still enjoy a taste of luxury travel with a premium credit card that offers travel credits, concierge services, and exclusive access to events.
For many, The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most luxurious credit cards. It offers several flight and resort perks, and the Amex concierge can build a travel package. Cardholder benefits, including private jet credits, make these itineraries more enticing.
Also, premium cards usually provide exclusive cardholder experiences when the issuer sponsors a culinary, cultural, entertainment, or sporting event.
One such example is that cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® at Miami Race Week from May 2 to 5, 2025. Sapphire members can purchase VIP grandstand packages, VIP boathouse packages, and access to the trackside Chase Sapphire Lounge.
In addition to seasonal luxury travel packages, premium travel cards offer many ongoing benefits, such as complimentary airport lounge access, elite travel status perks, and trip cancellation or interruption insurance, which can improve the quality of many run-of-the-mill itineraries.
Summary
There are plenty of luxury private travel possibilities to choose from whether it’s F1 racing, exploring historical landmarks, or exotic getaways. There are many travel dates, and the best packages tend to focus on notable events to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience in addition to being a tourist.