A jet card lets you buy private flight time in advance and draw it down trip by trip. This guide explains the mechanics, the common terms, and what to check.
A jet card is a prepaid programme. You commit funds or a number of flight hours in advance, usually tied to a particular aircraft class, then book individual trips against that balance at agreed terms.
It sits between booking each trip on demand and owning a share of an aircraft. You get set rates and easier booking without the commitment of ownership.
You typically choose a class of aircraft and either a number of hours or a deposit amount. Each trip you fly is deducted from the balance based on the flight time and the programme rules. Many cards guarantee availability if you give a set amount of notice.
Rates may be fixed for a period or may move with the market, depending on the card. The specific aircraft you fly can vary trip by trip within the class you bought.
Read how peak days are defined and surcharged, what the daily minimum flight time is, how repositioning is charged, and whether fuel is included or variable. Check expiry dates on hours or funds, and how refunds or rollovers are handled.
Service levels, the booking window, and how changes and cancellations are treated also vary, so compare terms rather than headline rates alone.
Cards tend to suit travellers who fly often enough to commit funds and who value predictable pricing and availability. Lighter flyers may prefer to book on demand and keep their options open.
If you are weighing a card against booking trip by trip, tell us your typical routes and how often you fly and we will return indicative on demand pricing for comparison.
If you are weighing a card against booking trip by trip, tell us your typical routes and how often you fly and we will return indicative on demand pricing for comparison.
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