How LetzCharter ranks search results

1. Default sort: Distance from your pickup

When you provide a pickup location, results default to “Distance from {pickup}.” We calculate the geographic distance between your pickup point and each operator’s primary location. Closer operators appear first.

Why distance? It’s geometric, not preferential. There’s no algorithm choosing winners — the math is the math. Closer operators usually have less deadhead cost, faster pickups, and stronger local reliability.

If you reach search without providing a pickup (general browsing), results default to Rating instead, since distance has no reference point without a pickup.

2. Available sort options

You can change the sort at any time using the selector at the top of search results:

• Distance (default with pickup) — Closest operator first.
• Price — Lowest estimated price first.
• Rating — Highest customer rating first.

Tiebreakers: when two operators are within 5 miles of each other, the higher-rated operator wins the tiebreaker. When ratings tie, the operator with more completed bookings wins. We intentionally do not use recency of join, subscription status, or any commercial signal.

The active sort criterion is always shown at the top of results, so you know exactly what you’re looking at.

3. What we don’t do

• No paid placement. Operators cannot pay to appear higher in results.
• No curated “featured” operators. We don’t pick favorites.
• No hidden ranking signals. The sort criterion is always visible at the top of results.
• No A/B-tested ranking algorithms that operators can’t see. The math above is the math.
• No boost for claimed listings over unclaimed ones, for any pilot or commission tier, or for ongoing subscription status.

4. How operators can rank higher

• Be closer to where customers search — or expand service areas to popular pickup points.
• Earn higher customer ratings by delivering excellent service.
• Compete on price within your margin.

That’s it. No tricks, no kickbacks, no algorithm games.

5. Why this matters

Marketplaces that sell ranking tend to become pay-to-play over time, which hurts customers (worse matches) and hurts smaller operators (priced out of visibility). We’re building the opposite: a marketplace where the best match for your trip is the one you see first.

This commitment is enforceable under our Terms of Service §5, which states that customers choose operators — not algorithms. Our approach to listing real operators from public data is covered in Public Operator Listings. Together, they describe how we keep the marketplace neutral.

6. Questions

If you believe search results aren’t matching what this page describes, please tell us via our contact form.