At a glance
- Program model
- Prepaid Distance Card with category-based mileage pricing; the company also arranges on-demand charter.
- Commitment
- Published packages: $25,000 or $100,000 flight value. The website lists tax-inclusive purchase prices of $26,875 and $107,500.
- Pricing
- Statute-mile distance multiplied by the category’s mileage rate; distance bands affect the rate. Use the current provider proposal for trip totals.
- Aircraft
- Five categories: small, light, midsize, super-midsize and heavy. Confirm passenger, baggage and specific-aircraft requirements.
- Service area
- Domestic travel and listed international destinations; obtain route eligibility and cross-border terms for the airports you need.
- Notice & peak travel
- The website says availability in as little as 72 hours; the 2026 brochure says 48. Resolve this difference and obtain peak-date rules before funding.
- Changes, expiry & refunds
- The website advertises no expiry and rates held until the balance is spent. Full cancellation and cash-refund terms were not established.
- Other costs to check
- Applicable taxes, minimum trip charge, international exceptions, cancellation charges and the conditions for any advertised discount.
- Enrollment & availability
- The official site invites card inquiries. Current enrollment and itinerary eligibility require direct confirmation.
Contact the provider directly for its current program proposal.
The Distance Card changes the unit of comparison from flight hours to miles. Airstream Jets’ program overview explains category-based mileage pricing. To compare it fairly with an hourly card, request total prices for the same routes, dates and passenger loads.
Check the route calculation
The 2026 brochure organizes rates by aircraft size and trip-distance band. Ask which airports and mileage calculation appear in the quote. On a multi-leg journey, establish how the provider groups the legs and chooses the applicable band before calculating a budget yourself.
Lower cost per mile on a longer route does not establish a lower total trip price. Likewise, a category change can alter the result even when the endpoints stay the same. Keep the required seats, luggage and nonstop capability constant when comparing proposals.
Resolve the notice discrepancy
The published notice periods are not consistent: the website says 72 hours while the brochure says 48. Treat that as a question for the current agreement, not permission to assume the shorter window. Also request the peak-travel calendar and any restrictions on simultaneous aircraft requests.
This matters most for travelers whose plans change close to departure. A predictable formula is useful only if the flight can be arranged within the conditions you can actually meet. Describe your shortest realistic booking lead time when asking for a proposal.
Match the balance to real travel
A prepaid account simplifies repeat purchasing, but the account size should follow a realistic itinerary list. Build a likely-use scenario and a low-use scenario. Ask what happens to money you no longer need, rather than treating nonexpiration language as a refund promise.
Airstream’s company overview describes tailored charter services alongside the card. For one-off travel, obtain an individual charter proposal as a comparison point. The card may suit repeated routes differently from an irregular mix of last-minute destinations.
Questions to settle before funding
- Which notice requirement governs my card, including peak dates?
- How are miles and distance bands calculated for connecting or multi-stop itineraries?
- Are taxes, minimum charges and international costs included in each example?
- What are the cancellation, refund and account-transfer rules?
- Which advertised discounts can apply together?