The 9 Best Credit Cards for Booking Private Jet Travel [2024]

The economics and sentiment around booking private jet travel have changed dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Well-heeled travelers, especially those who travel in larger groups, have been increasingly able to justify shelling out tens of thousands of dollars for the convenience and peace of mind that come with private aviation.

Although many private jet brokers and operators still only accept wire transfers as payment, credit cards are becoming increasingly accepted by these merchants.

In this guide, we’ll show you how you can get a substantial return on your spending through credit card rewards when booking private jet travel.

Let’s get right to it!

What To Look for in a Credit Card for Booking Private Jet Travel

Your experience trying to book private jet travel with a credit card will vary greatly depending on which merchant you transact with, similar to what you’d experience with different restaurants around the world.

Some don’t accept credit cards at all, some charge a credit card transaction fee, and some accept credit cards with no added fees.

In general, this industry operates heavily on wire transfers. Credit cards are usually accepted, but a shocking 4% to 5% credit card fee is added to the whole transaction.

However, if you find brokers or operators who can waive these fees while accepting credit cards, you’ll want to make sure your card isn’t declined.

Private jet flights can run upwards of $100,000 for international journeys, so you’ll need a card that can pack a big enough punch to cover the whole flight.

Additionally, you’ll want one that rewards you the most for the hefty price tag. Finally, you’ll want to find a card that offers other benefits, including hotel perks, statement credits, and more.

Now, we’ll take a look at the best personal and business credit cards for booking private jet travel.

Best Personal Cards

If you’re booking private jet travel for personal reasons (or if you don’t have a business), you’ll want to follow this section closely as we outline the best personal cards to use for booking private jet travel.

Card Summary

Amex Platinum Card (Best for Earning Points & Wheels Up Benefits)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Undoubtedly, the best personal card for booking private jet travel is the Amex Platinum card.

First of all, the card features an incredible welcome offer. The card also earns up to 5x Membership Rewards points. Here’s a look at the earning structure:

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year)
• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Earn 1x Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Hot Tip: As we’ll discuss in the last section, some private jet operators, brokers, and mobile apps count as airlines, which would also allow you to earn 5x points here!

The next noteworthy feature of this card is that it has no preset spending limit*. Private jet journeys are extremely expensive — this is probably going to be one of the only cards you can get where you can pay for the entire charter on 1 card.

The absence of a preset spending limit allows you to confidently book your private jet flight without worrying about maxing out a traditional credit limit.

This card has amazing travel benefits, including:

• Access to Wheels Up’s Premium Private Jet Program that offers initiation discounts, flight credits, and more
• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Complimentary hotel elite status with Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
• Rental car elite status and/or benefits with Avis, Hertz, and National

It gets even better, though, because you’ll enjoy more than $1,600 worth of additional value through statement credits:

• Up to $200 in Uber Cash for Uber rides or UberEats orders in the U.S.
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits
• $199 in CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, as of October 1, 2024
• Up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits on eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits
• Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
• Up to $300 in Equinox credits
• Up to $155 in Walmart+ credits

Some of the above credits require enrollment.

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable type of transferrable points available, worth around 2.2 cents apiece.

If you find a private jet company whose purchases code as an airline, you can enjoy a return on spending of a whopping 11%!

That’s a fantastic return when you consider you can get back thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars back on a single private jet charter.

The best way to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points is through the Amex transfer partners for luxury business and first class travel.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card is the most well-rounded card to use for private jet travel. Between the possibility of earning 5x points (if your charter company is categorized as an airline), the absence of a preset spending limit, the Wheels Up membership perks, and the other travel-related perks, such as hotel benefits, this card is an absolute no brainer.

Capital One Venture X Card (Best for Premium Travel Insurance)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Our runner-up credit card is the Capital One Venture X card, one of the hottest ultra-premium cards to hit the market in years.

To start, it boasts a huge welcome bonus right now. You can also earn up to 10x miles on hotels and rental cars, as well as 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Unfortunately, private jet flights aren’t eligible for these bonus categories — not to worry, though, because you’ll earn 2x miles on all other purchases, which is nothing to sneeze at when you’re talking about private jet purchases that can cost well into the tens of thousands of dollars.

A neat feature of this credit card is that it seems to offer the highest credit limits out of any of Capital One’s personal credit cards.

Although it’s not unusual to see credit limits around $30,000 to $50,000, we’ve heard reports of people having 6-figure credit limits. This card’s high credit limits could make booking private jet flights a breeze.

This fabulous credit card comes with a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings, a bonus of 10,000 miles every year (starting on your first cardmember anniversary), access to lounges (Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass Select lounges), and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit!

As far as other perks go, you should maximize the complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status, awesome travel insurance, cell phone insurance, 4 no-additional-charge authorized users (rates & fees), and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles is another example of a transferrable rewards currency, just like American Express Membership Rewards.

The major difference is that Capital One has a different list of transfer partners that can be leveraged for luxury business and first class travel.

And when you earn 2x miles on private jet flights, you can expect that to be equivalent to a return on spending of around 3.6%.

If you decide not to use transfer partners, you can also redeem Capital One miles for cash-back, gift cards, merchandise, or travel through Capital One Travel at a lower redemption value.

Capital One Venture Card (Best for Travel Insurance)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is the little sibling of the Capital One Venture X card. Known essentially as the mid-market premium credit card offering in the Venture family, this card offers outsized rewards and a lower annual fee.

You can still earn an awesome welcome bonus and unlimited 2x miles on all purchases.

Expect to get a return on spending of 3.6% for all purchases, which includes your private jet flights.

Additionally, you’ll get 5x points on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

It also comes with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status (Five Star), unlimited free authorized users (rates & fees), no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), travel insurance, and purchase protection.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (Best for Earning Points)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is Chase’s flagship ultra-premium personal credit card. It offers cardholders the ability to earn lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points thanks to a decent welcome bonus and the following earning structure:

• 10x points per dollar spent on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked through Chase Travel
• 10x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points per dollar spent on air travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3x points per dollar spent on all other dining and travel purchases
• 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Most, if not all, private jet operators or brokers will fall under the travel umbrella, making it easy to earn 3x points, which is equivalent to a return on spending of 6%.

It also has an up to $300 travel credit, a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, a 50% redemption bonus on bookings made via the Chase Travel portal, access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit (as of October 1 2024), and some of the best travel insurance in the business.

There are no foreign transaction fees, either.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

As we mentioned, you can easily convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points with the right credit card pairing. If you convert your points, they can be redeemed for transfer to the Chase travel partners for award travel.

Otherwise, you can redeem your rewards for cash-back, gift cards, at Amazon.com, and travel through Chase Travel at a fixed value.

Freedom Unlimited Card (Best for Cash-back & Intro APR)

INTRO OFFER

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The last personal credit card we’ll be discussing is the Freedom Unlimited card. Although it earns up to 5% cash-back on certain purchases, those bonus categories will likely not apply when booking private jet travel.

To be specific, the Freedom Unlimited card currently boasts the following earning categories:

• 5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3% cash-back on dining
• 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases

There’s usually a sizable welcome bonus available on the card, as well as a 0% introductory APR promotion on purchases and balances.

And although the rewards from this credit card are marketed as “cash-back,” you can convert that cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points if you have the right credit card — options include the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card.

Your rewards will convert at a ratio of 1% to 1x, meaning 1.5% cash-back can be converted to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, making your return on spending hover around 3%.

You’ll also enjoy extra perks such as secondary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, and free authorized users.

Best Business Cards

If you’re booking private jet travel for business, this section is for you!

Card Summary

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best Business Card for Points on Purchases Over $5,000)

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The best business card for private jet bookings, in our eyes, is the Amex Business Platinum card, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Here’s a look at this card’s earning structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com
• 1.5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)
• 1x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all other purchases

When you book a private jet flight and spend more than $5,000 in a single transaction, you can earn 1.5x points, which is equal to a return on spending of 3.3%.

In addition, if you’re a business owner who spends a lot on the following categories, you can earn 1.5x points per dollar:

• Construction material and hardware suppliers
• Electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
• Shipping providers

When you max out the $2 million cap in purchases that earn 1.5x points, you’ll end up with 3 million Amex points per year!

The travel benefits you’ll get are extensive:

• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (which includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta the same day, Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment, Plaza Premium Lounges, and more)
• Complimentary hotel and car rental elite status (enrollment required)
• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Access to a 35% rebate when using Pay with Points (up to 1 million points back per calendar year)

Beyond that, you’ll enjoy these business-oriented statement credits (some require enrollment):

• Up to $400 with Dell Technologies
• Up to $360 with Indeed
• Up to $150 with Adobe
• Up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits
• $199 in CLEAR Plus credit

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card (Best Business Card for Cash-back & No Preset Spending Limit)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.

Welcome Offer

$2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.

Up to $4,000+

Annual Fee

$150

APR

N/A

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love (rates & fees).

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• No preset spending limit

Cons

• $150 annual fee (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• $150 annual fee – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
• Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
• For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back

Financial Snapshot

• APR: N/A
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card is one of our favorite credit cards for high-spending business owners. And if you’re booking private jet travel with any frequency, you’re probably a high-spending business owner.

This card is unique because, unlike its other Spark-branded siblings, it has no preset spending limit, making it an awesome credit card for private jet bookings.

In addition, you will earn an unlimited 2% cash-back on every purchase you make. Plus, get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000!

The secret, at least for points enthusiasts, is that you can convert your cash-back to Capital One miles as long as you have a credit card that earns Capital One miles, such as the Capital One Venture X card. You’ll convert at a 1% to 1x ratio, meaning you can convert your 2% cash-back to 2x Capital One miles on a card with no preset spending limit!

Even better, you can add unlimited employee cards for no additional fee, and there are no foreign transaction fees. You can even create virtual card numbers with Eno!

Capital One Spark Miles Card (Best Business Card for Miles)

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Welcome Offer

Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable,

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is an excellent option for business owners looking for straightforward earning with no blackout dates, no seat restrictions, and no minimum when redeeming your miles.

Card Highlights

• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get unlimited 1.5 miles on every purchase with your business credit card with no blackouts or seat restrictions, and no minimum to redeem.
• Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel.
• Use your miles on flights, hotels, vacation packages and more—you can even transfer miles to any of our 15+ travel partners.
• We’ve got you covered with zero fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen. Plus, get automatic fraud alerts via text, email or phone call.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 24.49% Variable,
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a fantastic business credit card to have — it offers a great welcome bonus offer and earns 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2x Capital One miles per dollar spent on all other business purchases.

This credit card has a traditional credit limit (unlike the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card), but it comes with the ability to transfer miles to airline partners as a standalone credit card (also unlike the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card).

It comes with a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, too.

Anecdotally, we’ve also seen credit limits in excess of $100,000 for high-spending business owners, so having a traditional credit limit might not end up being a big issue.

Other perks include 2 free visits to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges per year, extended warranty coverage, the ability to create virtual card numbers through Eno, zero fraud liability protection, free employee cards, no foreign transaction fees, and more.

Ink Business Unlimited Card (Best Business Card for Cash-back & Intro APR)

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$900

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

• Chase Ultimate Rewards

The last credit card we’ll discuss is the Ink Business Unlimited card, which is issued by Chase.

This credit card has a sizable welcome bonus and the ability to earn an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all business purchases without bonus categories or limits.

Although the Ink Business Unlimited card is a credit card, we’ve seen credit limits greater than $100,000, which could be more than enough to book private jet flights.

This card also comes with the ability to convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points if you also have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. That’ll double your return on spending from 1.5% to 3%!

Be sure to also make use of the other benefits, like the introductory 0% APR benefit, travel insurance (including primary car rental coverage), extended warranty coverage, purchase protection, zero liability fraud protection, and free employee cards.

Booking Through an App vs. Booking Through a Broker

Now that you’re aware of all the best credit cards to use for booking private jet flights, the question becomes: should you book through an app or through a broker?

The truth is there’s no right or wrong answer.

In general, if you value the convenience of being able to book a private jet flight without having to pick up the phone or send an email, booking through an app is probably the best choice.

But if you have the right relationship with a good broker, he/she might be able to get you better deals, availability, schedules, planes, crews, and more.

There isn’t a clear answer — but what we can tell you is that different types of companies in private aviation will code differently in the context of earning rewards.

In an ideal world, you’ll earn as much in rewards as possible when booking your private jet travel. But one of the challenges is figuring out whether your particular merchant will code as an airline, general travel, or something else.

Luckily, we’ve done a ton of research into this and can provide some general data points on which operators or brokers fall under each merchant category.

Keep in mind that these merchant category codes can change at any point in time without notice.

In general, these companies count as airlines (and should therefore earn 5x points with the Amex Platinum card):

• Flexjet
• Tradewind Aviation
• Wheels Up
• XO

And these companies fall under travel (and will not earn 5x points with the Amex Platinum card):

• BLADE
• JSX

Some companies don’t fall squarely into either of these merchant category codes — for example, Surf Air almost always codes as “local commuter transport.”

Hot Tip: Learn more about these companies in our detailed guide to the best ways to fly private or semi-private!

Final Thoughts

Private jet travel can be one of the most luxurious experiences a traveler can have, but it can also be one of the most expensive. However you book, you should aim to get the maximum return on your investment by using the right credit card.

You’ll want to look for a card that offers either no preset spending limit or consistently offers high credit limits, boasts excellent rewards, and has other perks for the other aspects of your travel (like hotel elite status).

Finally, choose the right credit card based on whether you’re booking private jet travel for personal reasons or for business trips.

*No Preset Spending Limit on an American Express card means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.