When is a jet card not a jet card?

When researching the best solutions for private jet travel, two options come up often – prepaying for a block of hours or paying as you fly. The difficult part is determining which model is the best fit for you or your business. At first glance, the two can appear very similar in terms of the cost, aircraft options, service provider and customer service. Essentially, many jet card programs are a new form of block charter, meaning you’re paying up front for the hours you’re going to fly.

The Jet Linx Club and Executive cards offer something different. With a one-time membership fee, you fly when you want with guaranteed pricing, availability and a local service model that differs from any in the industry.

Jet Linx Vice President of Jet Card Sales Greg Dyche points to the evolution of private aviation solutions as a starting point for how jet cards have become the new way to fly privately. “For a long time, the solutions for private jet travel were either owning your own aircraft or having a fractional share. When people seeking charter services began realizing that all they really needed to purchase was time to fly, that’s how block charter programs started,” he explained. “The Jet Card program that we offer today has evolved from block charter as way to make it even better for our clients.”

In short, block charter is paying up front for a certain amount of hours you would like to fly. If someone knows they fly approximately thirty hours a year, paying for thirty hours at once and not having to purchase again until those hours run out seems like a logical choice. Block charter programs allow them to avoid the feeling of a long term commitment – most programs allow you to step away once your hours are used.

However, many do not realize that there can be risks when purchasing blocks of charter. You’re investing in hours to use, but you’re also investing into a company and trusting them to provide you with aircraft and services that are promised. Many who purchase block charter are hit with surprise fees and can end up paying even more.

“When you purchase block charter hours, you are purchasing based on a specific aircraft size. If an instance arises where you would like a different sized aircraft, the prices change and you may be charged more. If the aircraft you had planned on taking needs maintenance done, you may be forced to pay more to use a different aircraft, even if it’s the same size,” said Dyche. “With our Jet Card that is never the case – you have guaranteed hourly rates and guaranteed availability of any sized aircraft from our nationwide fleet. The price you are given is exactly what you will pay. No surprise fees. Our program continues the evolution and takes away the risk.”

To become one of our Jet Card clients you pay a one-time membership fee, but the benefit is our local approach and the personalized service you will have every time you fly with us. “The difference between block charter and our jet card, is the person you call to book your flight will always be someone you know and who knows you. There is no call center, no using generic FBOs. You have access to our fourteen private terminals across the country and our teams know who you are, what you like and how you prefer to travel. You don’t get that kind of service with block charter.”

Another benefit of the Club and Executive cards is our Elevated Lifestyle Client Benefits Program. This gives our clients special offers from our Elevated Lifestyle partners who offer the best in leisure, travel, fashion, wine and spirits, and health and wellness. Our clients also have access to exclusive Jet Linx sponsored events at their local bases and flight credit for referrals.

The difference between Jet Linx and other jet card programs isn’t obvious at first. Block charter will also offer guaranteed pricing, but it might only be for the type of aircraft you choose in the beginning. At Jet Linx, we let you select the aircraft that best fits your trip’s needs. If a trip gets delayed due to weather or the taxi time is delayed, Jet Linx takes the risk. Guarantees are easy to offer, yet difficult to deliver. When we say guaranteed availability, we mean you won’t be surprised by more fees or a higher price when the original deal is no longer available. A block charter program may be local as well, but you’re often dealing with 800 numbers and a remote sales experience. With our fourteen private terminals across the country, we can offer a personalized way to travel.