Prive Jets, the US private aviation company founded in 2007, has introduced a jet card programme designed to give corporations, aviation departments and frequent private flyers greater clarity and control over how they purchase private aviation.

The programme offers fixed hourly rates for 12 months: $8,882 per hour for midsize jets, $9,882 for super midsize and $12,882 for heavy jets. Membership begins with a $199,882 deposit and deposited funds do not expire. Clients can move between the three categories according to mission requirements.

The card has been designed around the total economics of each mission, including how flight time is calculated and which operating expenses are included. One of its most distinctive features is a fixed 10-minute taxi allowance. Prive Jets' review of competing jet card programmes found that others generally bill actual taxi time or use higher fixed taxi allowances. Flights are otherwise based on actual flight time, subject to programme terms and applicable minimums. De-icing, an operating expense that can introduce significant variability into winter missions, is also included.

“Sophisticated private aviation clients aren't simply comparing hourly rates,” says Andres Arboleda, co-founder and COO of Prive Jets. “They want to understand the complete economics of a mission; how time is calculated, what is included and what they can expect before they fly.”

The jet card was developed around client feedback gathered over nearly two decades. Frequent private flyers wanted greater predictability and a simpler framework for purchasing flights throughout the year, while corporate clients wanted greater visibility into aviation spending and a clearer annual aviation budget. Corporate aviation departments identified a need for supplemental lift already in place when their own fleet cannot perform a mission, whether due to scheduled maintenance, unexpected aircraft downtime, simultaneous executive travel or a mission requiring a different aircraft category.

Prive Jets is also publishing estimated pricing for representative private jet routes to show real-world trip economics. The company has served corporations, executives and private travellers across North America, South America and the Caribbean, has been recognised multiple times by the World Travel Awards and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 for six consecutive years.