Chartering a plane is convenient, at least compared to public commercial airfare, but when you do it often enough, there are so many headaches that the experience ceases to be worthwhile.
The price can vary on the same route by a factor of five figures depending on the day. Your level of private jet access is never guaranteed; you simply can’t be sure that the jet you want will be available at the exact time and day you require it.
Jet card programs eliminate these pain points without forcing you into full aircraft ownership. From fractional ownership to prepaid programs, there are several ways to use a Jet Card to change the way you book private jet flights.
In this article, we take a look at how a Jet Card works and what the private jet travel experience is like.
The Basic Mechanics of a Jet Card
A Jet Card is, at the fundamental level, a prepaid program granting guaranteed availability of a private jet. You make a deposit or pre-purchase flight hours, which ensures access to light jets, mid size jets, large cabin jets, or ultra long range jets depending on your needs. Generally, you’re able to make flight reservations and operate aircraft within hours of when you need to take off.
In addition to the deposit or prepaid hours, you will generally pay for occupied flight time, fuel surcharges, monthly maintenance, and other additional fees.
Do Jet Cards Provide Ownership?
The experience will depend on the jet card provider. Some fractional ownership programs, such as the kind offered by NetJets, Jet Linx, or CraftPod, provide an ownership stake proportionate to the flight hours you pre-purchase. A 1/16th share is typically the smallest amount, giving approximately 50 jet card hours.
Other subscription-based private jet cards, like Wheels Up or Magellan Jets, let you buy jet card memberships with fixed hourly rates without owning the aircraft. CraftPod remains unique, allowing you to invest in a diversified portfolio including aircraft, which mitigates depreciation risk and provides potential growth.
What Factors to Take Into Consideration
When choosing the right jet card provider, there are several factors to consider. This includes the aircraft types and fleet operators available, the range of light jets, heavy jets, or ultra long range jets, and aircraft availability. NetJets is known for having one of the largest private jet card fleets in the world.
Options to Customize Your Experience
Some private jet card providers offer extensive personalized service, including luxury perks like gourmet catering, luxury hotels, and ground transportation, all at an additional fee. Interior configurations can be customized to match your preferences.
Ownership Model
Different aircraft ownership or prepaid program models suit different travelers. Leisure travelers may prefer subscription-based options with fixed rates and prepaid hours, while business executives and frequent flyers may opt for fractional ownership to maximize flight time and vip access.
Price varies by jet card company and subscription level. Access generally begins at 50 flight hours per year but can increase depending on your needs and budget.
What the Experience Looks Like in Practice
A Jet Card provides the immediacy and flexibility of full aircraft ownership without the full commitment. In practice:
- Call the charter broker or jet card provider to request a private jet flight. You should generally have guaranteed availability within hours.
- They send you a jet of the type you selected. It may not be the same aircraft every time, but it will be the most suitable aircraft for your flight.
- Options may include pilot and crew selection, catering, interior customization, and ground transportation.
- You pay several types of fees, including deposit funds, federal excise tax, ferry fees, repositioning flights, occupied flight time, fuel surcharges, and monthly maintenance.
These costs are influenced by aircraft types, jet card hours, and prepaid programs. For example, monthly maintenance fees may double if you upgrade from a 1/16th share to a 1/8th share of a plane.
Common Limitations
While private jet cards are convenient, there are limitations:
- Aircraft may be unavailable during peak travel periods, holidays, and blackout dates. High demand periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Super Bowl can affect jet card hours.
- International travel costs can be up to twice as expensive as domestic private flights due to peak period surcharges, federal aviation administration taxes, and the need for luxury hotels or housing the crew.
- Aircraft are depreciating assets, though fractional ownership or prepaid hours may allow you to recoup some value.
Some jet card users can sub-charter flights or sell unused hours, which can offset the expense, though it will not make the jet card profitable. This flexibility is helpful for occasional flyers.
Is a Jet Card Right for You?
If you fly 30 hours a year or more and require the highest level of convenience, guaranteed availability, and vip access, a private jet card is the most hassle free way to book private jet flights. It offers flexibility, immediacy, and reliability that traditional chartering or commercial flights cannot match.
CraftPod stands out among private jet card providers. It not only delivers convenience and prepaid hours but also integrates aircraft management companies and a diversified investment portfolio, providing sensible financial returns alongside flight time.
For frequent flyers who value both comfort and prudent investment, CraftPod offers a combination of usability, personalized service, and financial strategy that makes it the most intelligent choice for private aviation.
Schedule a meeting today to learn more about CraftPod and how their unique model of fixed rate jet cards can enhance your private jet travel experience.