jet card advisory and selection

The Industry’s Most Comprehensive
Jet Card Advisory & Selection Service

Jet card programs offer the convenience and consistency of fixed hourly rates and guaranteed availability without the commitment of ownership. But with over 80 programs available and each offering 3-5 different products, finding the right one can be overwhelming.

It can take up to 3 hours to evaluate just ONE jet card provider and doing this on your own without expert help may lead to indecision, frustration, and paying more than you should. Engage the help of The Jet Merchants and avoid wasting hours researching and listening to sales pitches.  We've done all the legwork and maintain up to date information on top providers to deliver you unbiased information, protect your identity throughout the process, and ensure we maximize all possible incentives! We work for you, not the providers.

Some of the Jet Card Providers
We Work With

Navigating the complexities of jet card programs can be overwhelming. To simplify this process, we've conducted extensive research, narrowing our focus to the top 25% of providers. This selection is based on stringent criteria, including reputation, service excellence, company longevity, experienced leadership, and superior product offerings. We then analyzed each program's ideal client profile, enabling us to deliver truly personalized consultations and recommend the best-fit jet card for your unique travel requirements and budget.

We constantly update our preferred list of jet card providers to ensure companies and products are relevant, competitive, and deliver a premium experience.

Netjets

Flexjet

Wheels Up

Airshare

Jets.com

Magellan Jets

Sentient Jet

PlaneSense

FXAir

VistaJet

Fly Alliance

FlyExclusive

Jet Card Advisory &
Selection Services

Avoid the analysis paralysis of comparing 80+ different jet card programs alone and hire expert help.

When you hire of the Jet Merchants, we'll work on your behalf and provide transparent guidance to help you choose the right Jet card, tailored to your travel needs without wasting time or getting lost in the noise. We are a 100% independed firm and work for you, not the jet card companies.

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Included With Your Engagement:

  • In-Depth Needs Analysis: To start, we’ll deep dive into your specific travel, previous experience in private aviation, challenges, preferences, and identify what’s truly important to you as a private flyer. From our discussion and Client Questionnaire, we’ll develop a sample budget based on cost averages and narrow down the list of potential providers.
  • Provider Review: We provide a clear and comprehensive analysis of the best matching jet card and membership programs, breaking down their corporate information, card features, pricing structures, and value-added benefits.  We also share what certain providers view as their “ideal customer” and bring to light the potential issues or additional costs that you may face based on your specific travel. 
  • Unbiased Recommendation(s): As a proudly independent advisory firm, we have no affiliations with jet card providers. This ensures you receive unbiased recommendations that are based entirely on your preferences, budget, and travel patterns.
  • Tailored Solution(s): Our goal is not to recommend the lowest cost provider, but the one that provides you with the most value overall aligning with your budget and service expectations. Oftentimes this may result in a mix of providers or combining some charter with a jet card.
  • Account Onboarding: We assist with the vendor on-boarding process and coordinating with the designated account support team. This allows both parties to get on the same page day one regarding your service expectations. In addition to selection and onboarding, we also provide Optional Oversight + Support Packages for up to 12 months or exhaustion of funds/hours, whichever occurs first.
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Optional Account Oversight + Support

Should you add an Oversight + Support Package, we’ll continue to serve as your Advisor and vendor liaison providing the following:
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  • Advise on new bookings to minimize risk and potential concerns
  • Ensure you maximize spend and balance the use of hours/funds
  • Manage service issues and guide resolutions efficiently
  • Conduct post-flight follow-ups to ensure satisfaction and more

It’s important to note that no provider is perfect and at some point, an issue will come up. In our experience, it's always best to work together and afford the provider an opportunity to “make things right” in a reasonable timeframe. How failures are resolved will make the difference as to whether you decide to renew with the provider or select another one in the future. We also track this data for on-going internal reviews of vendors.
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By adding an optional Oversight + Support Package, it will allow us to continue the private aviation journey with you where we'll be able to better understand you evolving needs and make proactive recommendations for other jet services that may provide a better value based on your changing travel profiles. This may include switching providers, exploring fractional shares, or even potentially whole aircraft ownership should it make sense.

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Things to Consider When Reviewing Providers

Financial Strength

We feel it's important to understand the financial strength of an organization as well as their capitalization. While not all information is publicly available, knowing a company's history, reputation, and leadership may provide valuable insight. 

Safety Culture

This is the most important item to consider when making a private aviation decision. Not price, not if they include free catering, but their safety culture and operating history. We only recommend providers that emphasize safety and operate at high ethical standards.

Fleet Type and Aircraft Pedigree

Some programs offer access on an exclusive fleet where there is more control over service and quality. Others pool aircraft from the open market and may focus on newer planes while some focus on the lowest cost planes. There are many factors to consider just on fleet type. 


Pricing Structure

So how much does it cost? The answer will almost always be "it depends". Providers have various pricing schemes such as dynamic pricing or fixed rates. Some may bill estimated flight time some actual. Some service fees are included, other bill separately. It's critical to understand exactly how you'll be charged in order to budget and plan travel accordingly.


Value-Added Features

For some flyers, they may find real value in additional perks and benefits. However others may not.
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Value added perks may include: 
- Hospitality experiences
- Local events/wine tastings
- Gifts from lifestyle brands
- Empty leg discounts
- Airline perks and status

Customer Service

Do you prefer a dedicated account management team and executive available to you 24/7 or are you fine calling a 1-800#? 

How does each provider handle a last minute booking or itinerary change? What happens when our plane has an issue, do they provide a back up, how fast, is there an additional fee?


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5 Reasons to Hire The Jet
Merchants As Your
Advisory Firm.

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Why are Most Jet
Card Programs
Non-Refundable?

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Frequently asked questions

We understand that navigating the world of jet cards can be complex. We're here to provide clarity and guidance, helping you make informed decisions. Here are some of the most frequent questions we receive:

1. What is a jet card?
A jet card is essentially a prepaid private jet travel program. It allows you to deposit funds and then book flights at a contracted hourly rate, often with guaranteed availability. This saves you the time of shopping for each trip and provides predictable costs and quality control. However, there are different types of jet cards. Some offer fixed hourly rates, while others use dynamic pricing, which fluctuates with the market. At The Jet Merchants, we help you understand these nuances and find the best fit for your needs.
2. What companies sell jet cards?
There are many companies offering jet cards, each with its own programs and features. Some well-known providers include NetJets, Flexjet, Sentient Jet, and Magellan Jets. At The Jet Merchants, we maintain a comprehensive database of jet card programs and stay up to date on pricing and trends.
3. How much does a jet card cost?
The cost varies depending on your flying needs. You can find jet cards with initial deposits starting as low as $25,000, but most clients typically spend between $100,000 to $500,000 annually. Some programs require significantly larger deposits. The Jet Merchants can analyze your travel patterns and provide a personalized cost estimate, ensuring you choose a program that aligns with your budget and service preferences.
4. Who buys jet cards?
Jet cards are popular among frequent private flyers, typically those who fly between 25and 100 hours per year. Some jet card users also own their own aircraft and use jet cards for supplemental lift. Others prefer jet cards to fractional ownership for their flexibility. The Jet Merchants works with a diverse clientele, from individuals and families to corporations, helping them find the right private aviation solution.
5. Where can I fly with a jet card?
Most jet card providers offer a primary service area where fixed hourly rates apply. This is typically within the continental U.S., but some programs include destinations like Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some even offer transatlantic or worldwide coverage. The Jet Merchants will help you identify programs that cover your desired destinations and understand any potential out-of-area fees.
6. What are the advantages of a jet card compared to chartering trip-by-trip?
Jet cards offer fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability, and known extra fees. This simplifies the booking process and provides peace of mind. You're also more likely to receive upgrades and benefit from service recovery in case of disruptions. While jet card prices aren't always cheaper than on-demand charter, the time savings and convenience may be worth it. The Jet Merchants can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option based on your specific travel needs.
7. What types of aircraft are available with a jet card?
Jet cards offer fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability, and known extra fees. This simplifies the booking process and provides peace of mind. You're also more likely to receive upgrades and benefit from service recovery in case of disruptions. While jet card prices aren't always cheaper than on-demand cMost programs offer light, midsize, super-midsize, and large-cabin jets. Some also include turboprops, very light jets, or ultra-long-range jets. The Jet Merchants can help you find programs that offer the specific aircraft types you prefer.harter, the time savings and convenience may be worth it. The Jet Merchants can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option based on your specific travel needs.
8. Who owns the planes I am flying with a private jet card?
The aircraft used in jet card programs come from various sources: fractional fleets, owned/leased fleets, and managed fleets. Some jet card companies also act as brokers, sourcing aircraft from third-party operators. At The Jet Merchants, we prioritize safety and ensure that all aircraft used in our recommended programs meet stringent safety standards. We can explain the different sourcing models and help you choose a program that aligns with your comfort level.

At The Jet Merchants, we're committed to providing expert guidance and personalized service to help you navigate the world of private aviation. Contact us today to learn more. We hope these FAQs have been helpful.