7 jet card memberships that put the comfort back into luxury air travel

Whether you want to travel with your pet or land in a private airport terminal, there are jet card memberships available that have all your whims and fancies covered We now live in the age of “on-demand”, what with the likes of the ride-hailing service, Uber, and Netflix, the online subscription television and film service. Champagne bubble baths and gold iPads: 32 madly extravagant hotel amenities money can buy We don’t have to plan our schedules around anyone else’s timings any more – and this is where jet card memberships come in handy. There is no more need for scheduled flights or having to head to the airport three hours early. Jet card membership works exactly as a debit card would, and requires only a minimum sum deposit, which you can then spend on your travels in luxurious private jets. It’s perfect for those people who dislike the complications that come with booking a private charter, but do not want the commitment of owning a jet. Check out the top seven jet cards you should consider. Inside Lufthansa's new concept in business class on the Boeing 777 jet Asia Jet Card, Asia Jet Most jet cards come with a specified service area, outside which the benefits of the card cease to be valid. However, with the Asia Jet Card, you’ll get to have your cake and eat it, too. Unlike most competing products, this programme does not limit the regions that members can fly to or the types of available aircraft – so you can really fly where you want, how you want. Which are the top 10 countries with the most superyachts off their coastlines? The Black Card membership tier entitles members to a 5 per cent discount on the hourly rate for up to 40 hours of flight on a Gulfstream G200. At least three Gulfstream G200 or G300 aircraft are reserved for card members’ use at any one time. You’ll also enjoy priority on availability for these planes, fixed hourly rates and discounts for qualifying round trips. Membership rates are available on request. Empyrean Card, Air Charter Service Air Charter Service proudly calls it the world’s most flexible jet card – and it’s not hard to believe the claim. The Empyrean Card offers a membership tier called the Capped Rate Account, which is so flexible that it doesn’t even come with a fixed price. Rather, it operates on a tailored hourly rate, which differs from member to member, depending on their frequented destinations, preferred aircraft type and other specific flying needs. The minimum deposit is for 25 hours, and the tailored hourly rate you receive on joining is honoured for 12 months, which means that the cost of your flights will never fluctuate with the cost of fuel. Other benefits include no positioning costs, no penalty fees for flying outside their service areas and no monthly fees. You also get a dedicated concierge who will handle all charter bookings and other special requests for you. Qatar Airways soars to top spot for world’s best business class JetCard, Air Partner If only the newest jet aircraft will do, then this card guarantees a fleet that consists only of planes from the year 2000 or later. The higher membership tier, JetCard Sterling, promises planes that are 10 years old or newer. The minimum initial deposit pays for 10 hours of flight, and the deposit amount may differ depending on the type of aircraft you choose. If only the newest jet aircraft will do for you, then the JetCard guarantees a fleet that consists only of planes from the year 2000 or later You should note that this card’s service area is limited to continental United States, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Middle East. However, members have the flexibility to use JetCard funds for traditional on-demand charters, including helicopter transfers. Your flight credits don’t expire, but with guaranteed aircraft availability – even with just 24 hours’ notice, no blackout dates plus a 15 per cent discount on qualifying return trips – it seems unlikely that your credits will go unused. Jet Card, Jet Linx Members get access to the company’s entire fleet, with guaranteed availability of any jet type at any time, so you will not have to commit to a specific aircraft size when signing up. Customers are charged only for the occupied flight time, which means that you never have to pay for the empty leg if the aircraft is unoccupied after dropping you off. Jet Linx has its own terminals at selected American airports, which makes it easier to avoid crowds. For more benefits, members may sign up for Elevated Lifestyle, Jet Linx’s client benefits programme. With it, you’ll get exclusive deals for travel packages, hotels, and travel concierges. Membership rates are available on request. Cathay Pacific's Business Class to offer personalised meal options Paramount Black Card, Paramount Business Jets If you travel frequently for work or simply have a serious case of wanderlust, Paramount Business Jets requires just three hours’ notice for aircraft reservation – likely the shortest in the industry. In addition to the short notice period, booking can be done quickly by sending an email to what Paramount calls your “Personal Flight Team”. This service handles every detail in the planning, from the aircraft type preferred to the in-flight entertainment and dining. The Paramount Black Card has a minimum deposit of US$100,000. This comes with complimentary concierge credits of up to US$500 to spend on any journey on large and widebody jets. The credits can be used on catering, connecting ground transport and in-flight services. SuiteKey, JetSuite JetSuite’s fleet comprises only smaller jets and journeys are limited to destinations not too far away. Consider what this implies for the journey time: at only 48 minutes, JetSuite offers one of the lowest minimum required flight times in the industry. It’s the perfect membership for those who often make short journeys and have no use for jet cards that require minimum flight times of over one hour. Memberships start at US$50,000. The Executive membership tier guarantees aircraft availability, fixed hourly rates, no repositioning or fuel surcharges and a 48-hour booking period. The Chairman tier includes all of these benefits, with the addition of in-flight catering, a dedicated account manager and two complimentary, one-way helicopter transfers. The Founder membership level offers everything listed in the tiers below, plus four complimentary, one-way helicopter transfers, six months of unlimited flights on JetSuiteX – the company’s semi-private programme – and automatic entry into JetSuite’s loyalty programme, which gives members exclusive deals on hotels, transport and tour packages. Fly in the world’s best business class for less than coach VistaJet Direct, VistaJet With a relatively low membership fee of US$10,000, the VistaJet Direct card probably has the youngest target market of all the cards on this list. Instead of having to make expensive phone calls or fill out lengthy forms to request a private charter, tech-savvy members can simply log on to the app, where their flight history and data are stored, and request a customised flight in seconds. The app also displays competitive rates for priority access to empty-leg situations. On top of that, there’s a search function for the locations of VistaJet’s Global and Challenger Fleets, so if any of them are in your city of origin, you can pack up and leave any time within two-and-a-half days. Should you prefer something a little more customised, opt for VistaJet’s Program membership, which offers a tailored package with benefits such as 24-hour flight notice, fixed hourly rates and no repositioning fee. Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter This article originally appeared on Robb Report Singapore.

7 jet card memberships that put the comfort back into luxury air travel

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Now you can use a scheme that works like a credit card, meets your every travel whim so you can say goodbye to scheduled flights and early trips to the airport

Now you can use a scheme that works like a credit card, meets your every travel whim so you can say goodbye to scheduled flights and early trips to the airport