If you’ve been looking into flying private, you’ve probably seen two options everywhere: chartering a private jet or joining a Jet Card program. People love to make it sound complicated, but the difference is actually pretty simple. Charter is best when you want total flexibility and you don’t fly all the time. A Jet Card is best when you fly often and want private aviation to feel like something you can access instantly, without rethinking the process every single trip. Both options get you on a private jet. The real decision comes down to how you travel, how predictable your schedule is, and whether you prefer booking flight-by-flight or having a program built around you.

What it means to charter a private jet

Chartering a private jet means you book flights individually. You request a trip, your aviation team sources the best aircraft for your route and passenger count, and you confirm that one itinerary. There’s no deposit, no long-term commitment, and no need to plan your travel months in advance. Charter is the perfect option for travelers who fly private occasionally, or whose schedules change often. It’s also ideal if you want your aircraft choice to change based on the trip. A quick hop to Vegas doesn’t need the same jet as a cross-country flight, and charter gives you the freedom to pick what makes the most sense every time.

What is a Jet Card?

A Jet Card is designed for people who fly private consistently and want the experience to feel smoother, faster, and more predictable. Instead of starting from scratch with each trip, Jet Card members keep funds in an account and book flights through a streamlined process with their team. It’s the difference between “let’s price this out” and “book it.” If you travel often, a Jet Card makes private aviation feel like part of your lifestyle, not a separate project you have to manage every time.

Charter vs Jet Card: the real difference

Charter gives you flexibility. A Jet Card gives you momentum. Charter is great when your travel is occasional or unpredictable. A Jet Card makes the most sense when you know you’ll be flying regularly and you want your booking experience to feel consistent, protected, and easy. If you’re deciding between the two, it helps to ask one question: do you want private flying to be something you book sometimes, or something you can rely on anytime?

When charter is the best choice

Charter is usually the best fit if you fly private a handful of times per year, travel seasonally, or don’t want to commit to one structured program. It’s also the ideal option if your trips vary a lot. For example, you might fly with two people one month, then fly with eight people the next, then need something longer range a few weeks later. Charter keeps everything flexible, which makes it a strong option for travelers who want a private aviation solution without feeling tied to a specific routine.

When a Jet Card makes more sense

A Jet Card is best for people who fly private frequently and want the process to feel simple and repeatable. If you’re traveling for business, balancing multiple destinations, or taking high-touch trips throughout the year, a Jet Card removes friction. The biggest advantage isn’t just the flights. It’s the experience of having private travel ready when you need it. That’s why Jet Cards are so popular among high-net-worth travelers and executive teams. When your time matters, the ability to move quickly becomes the real luxury.

What a modern Jet Card should actually give you

Not all Jet Cards are created equal. Some come with hidden fees, complicated structures, or inflated pricing that makes your deposit feel smaller than it should. A modern Jet Card should feel transparent, protective, and built around the way you actually travel. That’s exactly why Amalfi Jets created the Amalfi One Jet Card.

Amalfi One Jet Card: why members choose it

At Amalfi Jets, our Jet Card program is designed to combine premium service with industry-leading pricing strategy. Instead of locking you into one fixed model, Amalfi One offers a two-pronged approach: capped hourly rates and dynamic pricing. Here’s what that means in real life.

Your money goes further because there are no program fees

Amalfi One has no initiation fees, no monthly fees, and no annual fees, which means you get to use 100% of your deposit toward flights. It’s built for people who want the benefits of a Jet Card without feeling like they’re paying extra just to be a member.

Capped rates protect you when travel demand spikes

Private jet pricing jumps during peak travel periods. Amalfi One’s capped rates act like an insurance policy so your pricing stays protected even during high-demand travel days across our 33-country primary service area. You get peace of mind knowing there’s a ceiling.

Dynamic pricing is where the real savings happen

Here’s the difference with Amalfi. Most of the time, you’re not paying the cap. With Amalfi One, 95% of the time, members book using dynamic pricing and pay less than the capped rate, which means your flight hours stretch further compared to typical fixed-rate programs. Non-members pay more through dynamic pricing, but members get preferred pricing. Based on 2024 flight bookings, Amalfi One members paid an average hourly rate that resulted in 23.4% savings across all aircraft categories. That’s why frequent flyers switch. It’s not just about flying private, it’s about flying private smarter.

Your funds never expire

Unlike programs that pressure you to use your hours quickly, Amalfi One is designed to fit your real life. Your account funds do not expire, so you can travel when it makes sense for you, not when a program calendar says you have to.

A boutique experience with bigger-name performance

Amalfi Jets has become a go-to for clients who used to fly with larger programs but no longer wanted to feel like a number while paying higher rates. Amalfi One is boutique in service, but powerful in access. You get the best of both worlds: strong pricing strategy with a team that treats every trip like it matters.

So should you charter, or join a Jet Card?

If you fly private occasionally or want complete flexibility, charter is a great place to start. If you fly often and want your travel to feel streamlined, protected, and more cost-efficient long-term, a Jet Card makes sense. And if you want a Jet Card that combines capped rate protection, dynamic pricing savings, no program fees, and a high-touch experience that feels truly premium, Amalfi One is built for that kind of traveler. When you’re ready, our team can walk you through both options and help you decide what fits your lifestyle best.