Wheels Up to drop King Air guaranteed rates in 2026

Delta Air Lines-backed Wheels Up is revamping its Legacy Membership jet card program, effective January.

The revised program goes into effect January 1, 2025.

Salespeople began reaching out to members last week.

An official notice was sent via a Monday email.

The big news is that Wheels Up will end capped rates on King Air turboprops.

Wheels Up launched in 2013 with a King Air 350 membership program, growing the fleet to over 80 of the type at one point.

Members can still use funds for turboprop flights.

However, they will be priced dynamically.

A spokesperson tells Private Jet Card Comparisons, “Beginning January 1, 2026, all turboprop aircraft shift from capped rates to fully dynamic pricing for all new trips.”

She continues, “In other words, we are shifting regional travel to a mix of dynamically priced options, including King Airs on the fleet and partner solutions such as Tropic Ocean Airways seaplanes, PC-12s, and helicopters.”

Customer funds can be used for all these options.

Also changing will be the capped hourly rates for light, midsize, and super-midsize jets.

Hourly rates are increasing by $300 per hour across the board.

Fund levels remain at $100,000, $200,000, and $400,000.

December To Remember

However, it’s not too late to beat the price increases and keep capped turboprop rates.

The capped turboprop rates and current hourly rates are available through the end of the year.

Both new and existing members can buy into the Legacy program.

The cost of flights on light, midsize, and super-mid aircraft will be protected at the current capped rates.

Those rates remain until the balance is fully utilized, according to the email.

For turboprops, the current capped rates are locked for “the earlier of 12 months from the date you make a deposit or until the fund is depleted.”

The continuation of what was previously called its Core follows the launch of the Signature membership in September.

Signature is focused on its fleet remake announced in 2024.

That features the Phenom 300 and Challenger 300.

The Phenom 300s are meant to replace both the light- and midsize-category jet offerings.

What’s Next?

Signature’s premium aircraft focus is intended to appeal to blue-chip corporate accounts that Wheels Up is targeting through Delta.

Delta and Wheels Up are seeking to both entice new private aviation customers and those seeking high-end supplemental lift without the commitment of fractional ownership.

The spokesperson says, “Even with the launch of our new Signature Membership offering access to the Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 jets, all existing agreements will continue to remain valid.”

Most importantly, it appears that Wheels Up, at least for now, plans to sell both the Legacy and Signature programs.

The spokesperson notes, “Customers will still have the option to transition to Signature Membership over time.”