Jet Cards and Memberships Compared With On Demand Charter

Jet cards prepay a block of flight hours at agreed rates, while on demand charter is quoted trip by trip with no commitment. Cards suit predictable, frequent flying. On demand suits variable routes and occasional trips.

How a jet card works

You buy hours in advance on a defined aircraft category, with rates and availability terms fixed for the card period. Booking becomes a short phone call.

Where on demand wins

You pay only when you fly, you can change aircraft category by trip, and you benefit whenever the market or an empty leg works in your favour.

Where a card wins

Rate certainty, guaranteed availability windows and simpler internal approvals matter to frequent flyers and corporate travel teams.

How to decide

Count your realistic annual hours and how much your routes vary. Varied routes and modest hours usually favour on demand charter.

Frequently asked questions

Do jet card hours expire?

Many programmes set an expiry period, so check the terms before committing.

Is a jet card cheaper than charter?

Not necessarily. You are buying certainty of rate and availability rather than the lowest price per trip.

Can I use a card for any aircraft?

Cards are normally tied to a category, with upgrades priced differently.

What happens to unused hours?

Terms vary between refundable, transferable and expiring, so read that clause closely.