Everything You Need to Know About Private Jet Cards

The mechanics are simple. A client purchases either a fixed block of hours (typically starting at 25 hours per year) or deposits a dollar amount, often starting at $100,000 or more, that is drawn down per trip. The program specifies the aircraft category or categories available, the hourly rate, the booking lead time required, and any peak-period or surcharge terms.

When a trip is needed, the client contacts the provider, specifies the route, date, and aircraft category, and the provider confirms the booking against the available fleet. At the end of each trip, the hours or dollar value flown is deducted from the balance.

What distinguishes jet card programs from on-demand charter is guaranteed availability within a defined notice window. Most programs commit to aircraft availability with 24 to 72 hours' notice, including during high-demand periods when the on-demand charter market tightens. That guaranteed access is the core value proposition of the model.

Jet cards and on-demand charter serve different client profiles. On-demand charter is pay-per-trip with no capital commitment and full market access, making it cost-efficient for clients flying fewer than 20 hours per year. A jet card locks in a fixed hourly rate and guarantees availability within a defined notice window, which becomes valuable for clients flying 25 or more hours annually. The comparison between programs should always be made on total trip cost rather than headline hourly rate, since fuel, landing fees, positioning, and peak surcharges vary significantly between providers.

A jet card hourly rate is not always an all-in rate, and this distinction is where most program comparisons go wrong. Some programs include fuel in the quoted rate. Others charge a fuel surcharge separately. 

Before comparing two programs on headline hourly rate, confirm the following for each:

• Is fuel included or charged as a separate surcharge?
• Are landing and handling fees included or billed at actual cost?
• Do positioning fees apply when the aircraft must travel to meet you?
• Are peak-day surcharges applied, and on which dates?
• Is Federal Excise Tax (7.5% on US domestic segments) included or added on top?

Total trip cost is the only valid comparison metric between jet card programs. Headline hourly rate without the above context is not a price.

The contract terms that separate programs are not the ones prominently advertised. They are the ones in the fine print. These are the terms most worth examining before signing:

Availability commitment: How many hours' notice does the program require? Does that commitment hold on peak days (holidays, major events) or does it degrade to a best-efforts basis?

Aircraft substitution: If the aircraft category you selected is unavailable, what are the program commitments? Will they upgrade, downgrade, or hold the booking?

Hour expiry: Do purchased hours expire? If so, on what timeline? Hours that expire without use represent money returned to the provider.

Unused hour refunds: If you exit the program, are unused hours refundable? On what terms?

Peak day definitions: What dates are defined as peak? The list of peak days directly determines how useful the program is during the periods you are most likely to fly.

Cancellation policy: What is the notice period required to cancel a booked trip without a penalty charge?

A jet card differs from fractional ownership in a fundamental structural way. Fractional ownership involves purchasing an equity interest in a specific aircraft that sits on the balance sheet, depreciates over the term, and carries monthly management fees regardless of flight activity. A jet card involves no ownership, no depreciation, and no management fees between trips. Fractional programs typically require 50 or more flight hours per year and a multi-year capital commitment to be cost-effective. Below that threshold, a jet card program provides comparable guaranteed access without the ownership overhead

Hogani Jets is a charter broker, not a jet card provider. We do not sell jet card programs, which means our view on them carries no program economics.

A jet card is the right tool for a specific client profile. If you fly 25 or more hours per year, if schedule predictability matters, and if you want to lock a rate in a market that can move against you during high-demand periods, a well-structured jet card program earns its place in a travel program. If you fly occasionally and value fleet flexibility over rate certainty, on-demand charter continues to serve you well.

The most common mistake we see is clients entering jet card programs at volumes that do not justify the capital commitment, or without reading the peak-day terms that define real-world availability. If you are evaluating a jet card program and want an independent read on the terms, contact our team.

Hogani Jets coordinates each charter through licensed Part 135 operators.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.

What is a jet card in private aviation?

A jet card is a prepaid program giving access to private aircraft at a fixed hourly rate. You purchase a block of hours, typically starting at 25, or deposit funds drawn down per trip. The rate is locked at purchase, and most programs guarantee availability within 24 to 72 hours. 

How much does a jet card cost?

Entry points typically start at 25 hours or a $100,000 deposit. Light jet programs run $7,000 to $9,000 per hour; heavy jet programs $13,000 to $19,000. 

How is a jet card different from on-demand charter?

A jet card locks in a fixed hourly rate and guarantees availability within a set notice window. On-demand charter is pay-per-trip with no capital commitment and market-rate pricing. Charter is typically more economical below 20 annual hours; jet cards become advantageous above 25 hours when rate certainty matters.

Do jet card hours expire?

Most programs apply a 12-month rolling expiry from purchase. Some offer multi-year expiry or extensions for a fee. Premium programs may offer non-expiring hours. Hours that expire unused are funds returned to the provider, so confirm the expiry structure and refund policy in writing before committing capital.

Can you get a refund on unused jet card hours?

Refund terms vary by program. Some providers refund unused funds minus a processing fee; others apply forfeiture clauses after a defined period. Some transfer balances to a successor card on renewal. Always request the specific refund language in writing before purchase and read it alongside the expiry clause.

Is a jet card worth it if I fly fewer than 25 hours per year?

Generally no. Below 25 annual hours, on-demand charter produces a lower total cost because no capital sits idle between trips. The fixed-rate advantage does not offset the opportunity cost of the upfront deposit at low utilisation. On-demand charter offers full market access with no commitment at that volume.

What aircraft categories are available on a jet card?

Most programs offer cards tied to a specific category: light jet, midsize, super midsize, or heavy jet. Some providers offer multi-category cards with access across classes. Category determines both the hourly rate and the cabin size you are guaranteed. Confirm which specific aircraft models fall within your contracted category.

What happens if the aircraft category I booked is unavailable?

The answer depends on the program's substitution policy. Quality programs commit to upgrading you to a larger category at no extra cost if your contracted category is unavailable. Others may downgrade or delay. The substitution clause is one of the most important terms to read before signing any jet card agreement.

Are jet card hours transferable to other passengers?

Most programs allow the account holder to book flights for other passengers, including family members or colleagues, without requiring the account holder to be on board. Some programs restrict transferability to a defined group. Confirm whether the program allows third-party passenger use and whether any documentation is required for non-account-holder flights.

What is the difference between an hour-based and a deposit-based jet card?

An hour-based card purchases a fixed number of flight hours at a contracted rate per category. A deposit-based card places funds in an account drawn down at agreed hourly rates per trip. Both lock in pricing, but deposit-based programs offer more flexibility across categories and routes without committing to a specific hour block.