Private jet cards begin, in most cases, with an initial deposit. However, this fee is just a small component of your ultimate private aviation experience.
The amount you pay will be informed far more by monthly management fees, utilization costs, fuel surcharges, and federal excise tax.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide a complete breakdown of the jet card pricing structure commonly associated with the majority of private jet card providers.
The Initial Deposit
The initial deposit will vary in price based on the jet card membership program you choose, the aircraft types you are interested in, and the number of flight hours you require.
In a fractional ownership program of the sort you’ll find with NetJets and other mainstream companies, you are purchasing a physical share of a plane.
That share generally starts at 1/16th, an increment that translates into 50 occupied hours of travel per year, though the share can increase from there.
The initial deposit is typically the largest single payment you will make, but it is also one of the least meaningful when viewed in the context of your overall private jet service experience.
The reason for this is simple. While you are making a large lump-sum payment—sometimes as high as half a million dollars—it is money you will eventually see back, at least in part.
The share itself is a tangible asset that can be sold, usually at the end of a five-year period. You won’t recover the full amount of your initial investment, but after accounting for depreciation, you will generally recoup a portion of the deposit over time.
Monthly Management Fees
Most jet card programs will also charge monthly management fees, which can range from $8,000 to $50,000 per month, depending on your stake in the plane as well as the aircraft model.
For example, a one-sixteenth share of light jets might carry approximately $3,000 per month in management costs, while a one-eighth share could cost closer to $6,000 per month.
The membership fee typically includes maintenance and upkeep, crew training, and other logistical expenses.
It may also cover storage fees, hangar costs, and runway-related maintenance expenses.
Occupied Hourly Rates
You also pay for the flight time that you spend in the air. Occupied hourly rates include crew fees, fuel costs, and catering expenses.
The actual price will vary based on the aircraft size and class of your jet.
Fixed hourly rates can range from $4,500 to $18,000 per hour. Some providers will also give you the option to pay more for deluxe catering and concierge services, while a few have this included directly in the base package pricing.
Some jet card holders will also allow you to sell your unused annual allocations, though your ability to do so will vary from one provider to another.
Generally, this works by allowing you to sell your unused hours to other members within the network.
This can be a useful way to save money and offset some of the cost, particularly if you are not using somewhere in the ballpark of 20% of your annually allotted hours.
That said, even reselling unused time is not going to make a private jet card profitable.
Surcharges
Fuel costs may vary based on several factors depending on the pricing model you select. Generally speaking, different providers offer two approaches when you purchase jet cards.
With fixed pricing, you pay the same occupied hourly rate regardless of how fuel prices fluctuate throughout the year.
With dynamic pricing, fuel surcharges adjust in real time and can increase the base rate by as much as 15%.
Which option makes more sense depends largely on how urgent and inflexible your travel needs are.
Fixed rates tend to work best for frequent travelers who fly consistently throughout the year and cannot easily choose their dates based on when fuel and operating costs are lower.
Dynamic pricing models, on the other hand, are better suited to travelers with some flexibility, particularly those who are willing to shift travel dates to avoid surcharges that can add up to five figures on a single trip.
Peak Period and Surge Pricing
Many private jet membership programs also charge peak utilization or surge pricing during periods of unusually high demand.
Common examples include major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as major events like the Super Bowl or the Kentucky Derby—peak times when many jet card holders are competing for the same guaranteed availability.
Repositioning Fees
Repositioning fees cover the cost of moving an aircraft either closer to your departure point or back to a centralized hub after your flight is complete.
These additional costs are most commonly incurred by travelers who live outside a provider’s primary service routes or high-density operating areas.
Often referred to as ferry fees, repositioning charges vary based on distance and aircraft category but typically range from $2,000 to $8,000 per occurrence.
For travelers in less frequently serviced regions, these hidden fees can meaningfully impact the total cost of private jet card ownership and should be factored into any comparison between jet card providers.
Additional Fees
Beyond base flight costs, private jet cards also include several additional fees that can materially affect the total price of private travel.
One of the most consistent is the Federal Excise Tax (FET), which is assessed at 7.5% of the total flight cost and applies to most domestic private aviation services.
International private flights introduce further expenses. These may include overnight crew accommodations, which typically cost around $1,500 per night, as well as international handling, customs, and airport fees that vary based on destination.
Catering policies also differ by provider. Most jet card programs include basic catering such as coffee, soft drinks, and light snacks.
Some providers include higher-end catering options and personalized service at no additional charge, while others price premium catering separately, often at $300 or more per person.
Comparing Total Cost of Ownership
The first year of jet card membership is generally always the most expensive because the initial deposit and one-time initiation fees can add more than a half million dollars to the annual high costs.
Remember that 60 to 70% of that deposit will be retrievable when you sell your ownership fraction at the end of the five-year long-term commitment period.
Your annual cost should be predictable from there on out, but can vary based on whether or not you’re traveling internationally or how fuel pricing fluctuates throughout the year.
It’s a good idea to ask different providers about their fee structure, their jet card options in terms of selling unused hours, and other factors that might influence your price including relocation fees, hangar maintenance, taxi time, and so on.
The more you know about the fee structure and transparent pricing, the fewer surprises there will ultimately be.
Most providers will be able to give you a very detailed and specific cost breakdown before you sign any agreement and book flights, helping you make an informed decision.
Before committing to any private jet card program, ask these specific questions:
- What percentage of flights result in aircraft downgrades, and what’s my compensation?
- Can I see a detailed fee schedule including all potential additional costs?
- What’s your on-time departure rate and your definition of “on-time”?
- How many days notice or short notice do you need to guarantee my preferred aircraft?
- What happens to my unused hours if I cancel my membership?
- Can I transfer or sell my remaining flight credits?
- What’s included in your contracted rate versus what’s billed separately?
- How do you calculate repositioning fees, and can I see examples?
These answers will reveal the true cost of private jet card ownership and help you avoid programs that look like best value on paper but become expensive in practice, ensuring you get immediate access and competitive pricing with minimal commitment.
How CraftPod is Different
CraftPod utilizes a unique ownership and fee structure. Rather than placing all of your capital into a single depreciating aircraft, funds are allocated into a diversified investment pod that includes—but is not limited to—aircraft ownership.
You gain guaranteed access to private aviation in much the same way you would through a traditional fractional ownership program, but with reduced exposure to depreciation and additional benefits.
Because the pod includes multiple investment categories, it can also provide tax efficiencies and additional perks, including the potential to offset federal capital gains, helping you save time and money.
To learn more about CraftPod’s approach to fractional jet ownership and get answers to your specific questions, speak with a CraftPod representative today.