When people picture wealth, they think of yachts, private jets, and sprawling mansions. But the reality of high-net-worth spending is often less visible — an ecosystem of services designed to save time, provide comfort, and guarantee discretion.
From private chefs to bespoke travel planners, these services form what you could call the hidden economy of luxury. It’s not always the flashiest purchases that define a successful businessman’s lifestyle, but the ones that ensure convenience and privacy.
Discreet Companionship as a Service
Not every luxury is tangible. Some of the most in-demand services among high-net-worth clients revolve around experiences that leave no paper trail — companionship being one of them.
Agencies offering luxury companionship — whether it’s New York, Dubai, or London escorts
— operate on the same model as private travel firms or fine dining clubs: the client is paying for certainty. That means a curated roster of companions, clear boundaries agreed in advance, and the assurance that the interaction — whether it’s a dinner date, travel partner, or private engagement — will unfold seamlessly.
For executives, politicians, or entrepreneurs who live much of their lives under scrutiny, this discretion is the product. They’re not just booking company for the evening — they’re buying the guarantee that time will be well-spent, private, and free from the reputational risks that come with ad-hoc encounters.
Private Aviation
Commercial air travel has never been more accessible, but for the successful entrepreneurs, avoiding airports entirely is part of the luxury. With private jet charters you can depart when you want, enjoy direct routes to smaller airports, and waste no time in queues.
The private aviation market was valued at $39.84 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow at around 5% annually. Companies like NetJets and VistaJet offer fractional ownership and jet-card programmes that let clients buy blocks of flying hours. For executives juggling multiple cities in a week, avoiding commercial delays and having total control over departure times is as much about efficiency as it is luxury.
The money saved in time — arguably the scarcest resource for HNWIs — is often the biggest return on investment.
Fine Dining & Curated Culinary Experiences
If there’s one thing all high-end clients love to invest in, it’s culinary experiences. Michelin-starred reservations, private supper clubs, or flying in a chef for one evening are all part of the spend. What matters most isn’t just the food but the environment: exclusivity, tailored menus, and a rare setting enjoyed by a select few.
The same goes for fine wine. The Liv-ex Fine Wine 1000 Index reported an average annual growth of 10–12% over the last decade, making wine cellars as much a portfolio strategy as a lifestyle perk. Fine wine merchants and private cellar consultants advise clients on bottles as both an investment and a lifestyle perk, turning a purchase into both pleasure and portfolio.
Security and Digital Privacy
Spending on personal security is one of the fastest-growing luxury segments. The global private security market is expected to reach $250 billion by 2030, fuelled by demand from high-net-worth clients.
This isn’t limited to bodyguards. Many invest in secure chauffeurs, ex-military protection teams, or advanced smart-home systems. On the digital side, firms specialising in privacy management — removing personal details from public databases or protecting against cybercrime — are seeing strong growth as online exposure becomes a bigger risk.
Why These Services Matter
The unifying theme across all these services is control. Private jets buy back time. Fine dining curates experiences. Discreet companionship offers intimacy without risk. Security guarantees peace of mind.
For high-net-worth clients, money is being deployed to create an environment where everything runs smoothly, quietly, and on their terms.