March 20, 2024
Private Jet Card Comparisons is the only independent buyer’s guide to private jet membership card programs.
Private Jet Card Comparisons, the only independent buyer’s guide to private jet membership card programs, announces the release of its 2018 analysis, which has been expanded to include more than 250 programs for private fliers to choose from. Recently referred to as “a modern-day online Kelley Blue Book for private jet cards,” by Barron’s, Private Jet Card Comparisons’ 2018 analysis now offers more than 65 different variables that are important for consumers to consider when looking for the jet card program that best fits their unique flying needs.
New variables added for 2018 include extra charges for de-icing, which can amount to thousands of dollars per occurrence, extra charges for diversions, availability of in-flight phone service and emergency medical services offered. The comprehensive analysis once again compares hourly rate, program denominations, types of aircraft offered, sourcing standards for planes and flight crew, in addition to charges for minimum flight time, taxi time, number peak days and peak day surcharges, lead time to reserve and cancel both domestic and international flights as well as peak period variances, extra fees for fuel, catering, CPI escalators and whether or not the 7.5% Federal Excise Tax (FET) is included in quoted rates.
Other important variables compared include each providers’ policy for upgrading or downgrading size of aircraft, Wi-Fi availability, pets, as well as the minimum age for sending unaccompanied minors. The report also details if enclosed lavatories are guaranteed on Light Jets, as some small planes only have a curtain or no toilet at all. Additionally, subscribers get detailed information on service recovery, lifestyle and luxury partnership perks, the type of catering included, the ability to select their FBO of choice, interchange fees, lists of Peak Days by program to help in trip planning, and of course critical features such as Guaranteed Availability and Guaranteed One-Way Hourly Rates. Discounts for roundtrip travel, which can be as high as 40% are detailed, as well a the availability of escrow accounts for transferred funds and corporate overviews, including ownership and CEO information.
“While business aviation has had a difficult recovery since the Great Recession, the number of companies selling jet cards has more than doubled,” said Doug Gollan, founder and editor-in-chief of Private Jet Card Comparisons. “Jet cards are the hot spot of private aviation because they provide users with the closest experience to full or fractional ownership at a much lower expense and without the long-term commitment. Jet cards also provide consumers with a more convenient alternative to on-demand charter, which can be time-consuming when reviewing aircraft and pilot sourcing standards, pricing, extra fees, small letter terms and transferring money for each trip.”
Jet cards are often compared to debit cards in that many programs are prepaid, requiring consumers to deposit an amount of money, usually between $50,000 and $1,000,000, and as they fly, the funds are deducted from their account. Getting in the air can be as simple as reserving an Uber with a tap of a smartphone application.
As the commercial airline and airport experience continues to deteriorate and the economy continues to surge, the estimated market for jet cards in the U.S. alone is up to two million affluent households and businesses. Private Jet Card Comparisons provides subscribers the ability to download its spreadsheets for personal use, enabling users to quickly identify the programs that best fit their needs and manipulate the data to focus on the variables that are important to them. “By putting all of this information into spreadsheets, we save subscribers dozens of hours of research, help them identify the programs that best fit their needs and make them educated buyers,” continued Gollan.
Private Jet Card Comparisons does not sell or market subscriber data, providing users’ privacy from being contacted by third parties. The price of a subscription to Private Jet Card Comparisons’ 2018 analysis edition remains at $250 and can be purchased at https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/payment-details/.
Private Jet Card Comparisons compares over 250 jet card programs from more than 30 providers across 65+ variables in easy-to-use spreadsheets saving hours of research and thousands of dollars from choosing the wrong program. Companies compared include: Air Partner, Airstream Jets, Clay Lacy Aviation, Concord Private Jet, Delta Private Jets, Executive AirShare, EcoJets, ExpertJet, Flexjet, Jet Aviation, Jet Linx Aviation, JetSet Group, JetSuite, Jet The World, Luxury Aircraft Solutions, Magellan Jets, NetJets (Marquis Jet), Nicholas Air, Paramount Business Jets, Private Jet Services PJS Group, PrivateFly, Prive Jets, Sentient Jet, ProspAir, Silverhawk Aviation, Solairus Aviation, Star Jets International, StraightLine Private Air, Tee Bee Jets, Velocity Jets, VistaJet, Wheels Up, Wholesale Jet Club, XOJET and more.
