If you’re flying private a handful of times a year and wondering whether there’s a smarter way to do it, let’s talk about Jet Cards.
Here’s a question we get pretty often: “What exactly is a Jet Card?”
Fair question. The term gets thrown around a lot in private aviation circles, and it doesn’t always get explained well. So let me give you the plain version, no sales pitch attached, at least not yet.
The Short Version
A jet card is a prepaid program that gives you access to a private aircraft at a fixed hourly rate. You fund an account, you fly, and your account gets charged based on the flight time. That’s the core of it.
No ownership, no long-term commitment, no surprise invoices three weeks after your trip. You know the rate before you book. You fly when you need to. Simple.
The mechanics vary by provider; some charge by the hour, some by the segment, some bundle in fees, and some don’t. But the fundamental idea is the same: you pre-fund access, and you go.
How It Differs from Other Private Aviation Options
It helps to understand where jet cards fit in the broader private aviation landscape. There are really four ways to access a private aircraft:
- On-demand charter — You book a specific flight at a specific price. Great for occasional, irregular travel, but pricing can vary, and you’re starting from scratch every time.
- Jet card — You prepay for access at a locked-in rate. More consistent, easier to budget, better suited for regular travelers.
- Fractional ownership — You buy a share of a specific aircraft. More control, potentially better value at high usage levels, but more commitment and upfront capital.
- Whole aircraft ownership — You own the plane. Maximum control, maximum responsibility. Usually makes sense only at the highest usage levels or for specific operational needs.
A jet card lives in the sweet spot between charter and fractional. You get the flexibility of on-demand travel with the consistency of a pre-negotiated rate and a known provider.
Who Is a Jet Card Best Suited For?
Honestly? Not everyone. And I’d rather tell you that upfront than have you sign up for something that doesn’t fit.
Typically, a jet card works well if you’re flying private 10 to 40 hours per year. Below that, on-demand charter often makes more financial sense; there’s less value in pre-funding an account. Above it, fractional ownership typically becomes worth the deeper look.
Beyond usage level, jet cards are a good fit for people who want:
- Predictable costs without the complexity of ownership
- The ability to travel without negotiating a rate every time
- Access to different aircraft types depending on the trip
- Simple billing. Fly, get charged, move on
If that sounds like you, keep reading. If you’re genuinely unsure, we’re happy to have that conversation, and if a jet card isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you.
Why a Midwest-Based Jet Card Is Different
Here’s where I’ll make a case that’s specific to where you live and where you fly from.
Most national jet card providers manage fleets based on demand concentration along the coasts. When you book a flight from Lincoln, Omaha, or Kansas City… the aircraft often has to reposition from somewhere else to come get you. That repositioning cost gets baked into your rate, your fees, or both.
Silverhawk’s fleet lives here. Our aircraft are based in the Midwest, which means less repositioning, and in many cases, free or reduced positioning fees depending on where you’re flying to or from. That’s a structural cost advantage, not a marketing line.
We depart from Lincoln, Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, Wichita, and smaller communities in between. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance we’re closer to you than you think.
What the Silverhawk Jet Card Looks Like
We offer two structures:
Traditional Jet Card — Starts with a $100,000 deposit. Three savings tiers: the more you deposit, the more you save. No initiation fee. No annual fee. Your account is only charged when you fly.
Jet Card Membership — $10,000 one-time initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee on your anniversary. No deposit required. You pay Jet Card Membership Rates when you fly.
Both options include access to our entire fleet with no interchange fees. That means you’re not locked into one aircraft; if your trip calls for a light jet and the next one calls for a midsize, you use what fits without paying a penalty to switch.
Other things included and worth noting:
- No crew charges
- No taxi time charges
- No peak day or holiday surcharges
- No blackout dates
- Free Wi-Fi, calls, and texts on every jet.
We publish our rates publicly at silverhawkaviation.com/jet-card-rates. We’ve always believed you should know what you’re paying before you ask.
One More Thing Worth Mentioning
We’re locally and employee-owned. That’s not a throwaway line. It means the people making decisions at Silverhawk aren’t answering to a private equity firm or a corporate parent. They’re answering to you, and to the reputation we’ve spent 30+ years building in the Midwest.
When things go sideways (and in aviation, sometimes they do), you’re not calling a stranger. You’re reaching someone who knows your name and actually has the authority to make things right.
If you’d like to talk through whether a jet card is the right fit for your travel profile, we are easy to reach. No pressure, no pitch, just a conversation about what makes sense for you.
Silverhawk Aviation Jet Card Program. To learn more or start a conversation, contact Mark at mark@silverhawk.com.
