First-quarter data shows jet card providers easing peak-day access rules and lowering daily minimum charges as rates increase moderately. Jet card customers saw improved flexibility from jet card providers in the first quarter of 2025, even as average hourly flight rates continued to rise, according to new data released by Private Jet Card Comparisons (PJCC), which tracks more than 500 membership, card, and fractional programs.
The card programs, which offer prepaid access to aircraft at fixed or capped hourly rates, have reduced peak-day designations to an average of 35.4 days, down from 44.6 at the end of 2024 and significantly below the fourth-quarter 2022 high of 55.7 days. Though still higher than the 22.8-day pre-Covid average, the trend reflects greater schedule flexibility for cardholders.
“With peak-day booking deadlines ranging as far out as two weeks, rates not guaranteed in some cases, surcharges up to 100%, the ability to shift departures by as much as plus or minus four hours from the requested time, the reduction in peak days reflects that jet cards are becoming more competitive for flyers who need flexibility,” said Doug Gollan, president and editor-in-chief of PJCC.
While peak days decreased, average hourly rates for fixed- or capped-rate jet cards edged up 0.9% in the first quarter to $11,147. That figure includes applicable fuel surcharges and the 7.5% federal excise tax.
By aircraft category, average hourly rates were as follows: turboprops, $6,588 (-1.2% quarter over quarter); very light jets, $7,869 (-0.7%); light jets, $8,305 (+2.8%); midsize jets, $9,817 (+3.1%); super-midsize jets, $12,510 (+1.4%); large-cabin jets, $15,197 (-0.1%); ultra-long-range jets, $19,152 (+1.2%).
Daily minimums—used to determine charges on short flights—also declined to an average of 80.8 minutes, their lowest level since tracking began. In fourth-quarter 2020, they averaged 86.2 minutes. “The reduction in daily minimums favors private jet users who are taking shorter flights,” Gollan said.
The average non-peak callout—the advance booking time needed to lock in rates—held steady at 65.7 hours for the fourth consecutive quarter. That remains nearly three times higher than 2019’s 23.2-hour average.