Just over the last few years, Jet Cards have been playing the leading role in bringing private air travel to the masses. They are the newest trend in the world of private aviation, which has been the hottest growth area in this market. You might see them all advertised, but what exactly are they and what are the different programs?
Jet cards allow owners to purchase blocks of hours (flight time) in a private aircraft. Unlike fractional owners, jet cardholders do not take ownership in an aircraft, which means your commitment ends as soon as you utilize your allocated hours.
There are many advantages associated with jet cards. For instance, unlike fractional ownership, you do not have to worry about taking a loss on your share of the aircraft once your contract expires which is the biggest complaint from just about every owner. You have no monthly management and maintenance fees on the aircraft and can purchase as little as 20 hours with some of the programs with the same benefits of fractional ownership.
Jet cards are ideally suited for corporate or individual use whose flight time requirements do not exceed 50 hours per year or for those want to avoid a costly asset purchase which appears on the books of the company. Jet Card hours may be expensed similar to normal travel which is an advantage to many companies who are constantly scrutinized for lavish expenses. No need to give up that private aircraft just yet….
On the flip side, you do not get the advantage of asset depreciation and the jet card hourly rate is the most expensive per hour program available. Flexibility does have its price.
Nevertheless, jet cards continue to woo travelers seeking the convenience and status offered only by a private jet. |