You want to rent a private jet?
In industry lingo, it’s typically referred to as charter. But chartering a jet comes in different formats. On-demand, or ad hoc charter, refers to renting a private jet on a trip-by-trip basis.
Jet cards and memberships provide another way to charter. Unlike on-demand charters, where each trip is priced when you book it, private aviation memberships and cards often offer one-way fixed rates with guaranteed availability.
What does it mean to have fixed one-way rates and guaranteed availability?
When you book private jet charter flights on a trip-by-trip basis, you typically go out to several brokers who based on your request, return with three of four options. Each option represents a different private jet and often different operators. Each option is likely not only to have a different price but different terms, including cancelation. Worked into the rate is the need to position the aircraft to pick you up or return to base after your flight.
Jet cards with one-way fixed-hourly rates give you a price per hour that refers to only the time you are in the aircraft. In other words, the cost of any repositioning is not charged. It’s baked into your guaranteed rate.
The guaranteed availability refers to how far in advance you need to contact your provider and make a reservation to get that contracted hourly price.
Notice periods for jet cards range from as few as 4 hours to 96 hours with similar cancelation windows. With ad hoc charter, you have to pay when you book to lock in the rate. Also, with COVID-19 most lead prices for on-demand charters are non-refundable after you book.
In other words, if you book your trip two weeks before then find you need to cancel your private jet rental, you risk losing all your money, per your contract. That said, if you are a high-volume client, your broker may give you different terms.
Another key difference is Guaranteed Service Recovery. With most jet cards your provider has to get you a similar or better aircraft at their expense.
With ad hoc charters, even if the operator cancels because of a mechanical or the pilot gets sick, if the alternatives cost more, if you want to travel, you have to pay the difference.
Private Jet Card Comparisons doesn’t sell private jet charter flights or jet cards. We help you find the right options for your needs. Below you can compare lead pricing and terms for jet cards against on-demand charter quotes.
You may then want to subscribe, and we can help you figure out the best way for you to buy private travel.
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If you have already spoken to jet card companies or received quotes from charter brokers, we can help you identify the best fit for your private travel needs. We don’t sell private jet charters or jet cards. We are an independent private aviation research site that enables you to make the best choice as an educated consumer. Find out more information here.
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