Is Your Jet Card Money Safe?
The recent suspension of flight activity by private jet charter broker OneFlight International has brought renewed attention to an issue that private aviation customers may rarely consider when purchasing a Jet Card: what happens to prepaid funds after they are deposited with a charter provider?
The $150 Million Wake-Up Call
According to a September 2026 report by Forbes, more than $150 million in prepaid private aviation funds could be at risk following the suspension of flight activity by OneFlight International. The report raises an important question for private jet travelers: How protected is your money after you deposit it into a Jet Card program?
The situation is prompting broader questions about financial transparency within the private aviation industry, and the safeguards consumers should consider before placing substantial sums with a charter company.
Paramount Business Jets, a global charter brokerage founded in 2005, says one of the most important protections begins with how customer funds are handled.
Where Does Your Jet Card Deposit Go?
The amounts involved can be substantial. Paramount Business Jets' current Jet Card program includes deposit levels ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. The company says those deposits are held in a dedicated non-operational bank account and drawn upon on a per-trip basis.
Paramount does not wire operators until the day before departure and, in most cases, provides a credit card hold rather than a cash transfer. This means the operator cannot access or spend those funds until the flight is underway. In addition, no deduction is made without the client’s explicit sign-off confirming the trip.
“Jet Card clients spend considerable time evaluating aircraft and safety standards. They should apply the same level of due diligence to the financial practices and the track record of the people running it,” said Richard Zaher, founder and CEO of Paramount Business Jets. “The right structure is a segregated non-operational account so client deposits are never commingled with operating funds.”
The company says it is profitable, cash-positive, debt-free, and operates with disciplined cost control.
Paramount's own analysis of the charter market also illustrates the financial scale involved in private aviation. The company's 2026 Private Jet Rental Cost Guide tracks current pricing across more than 120 business aircraft and 323 frequently requested routes worldwide. With individual charter trips routinely costing tens of thousands of dollars and prepaid Jet Card programs requiring substantially larger deposits, the way client funds are held can represent a significant financial consideration for travelers.
Paramount Business Jets pioneered the first fully transparent Jet Card membership, showing clients the operator cost, the broker margin, and the amount the broker adds on top. Documentation of that 2010 launch is archived on the Wayback Machine and linked from the company's About Us page.
Independent Certifications and Financial Transparency
Paramount Business Jets has also earned two independent aviation industry certifications: ARGUS Certified Charter Broker and WYVERN WINGMAN Broker. Both designations were awarded following independent audits evaluating the company's brokerage practices, safety procedures, and commitment to industry standards.
“In twenty-one years of operation, through two recessions and a pandemic, no Paramount Jet Card client has ever lost a deposit,” said Zaher. “Jet Card funds are held in a dedicated non-operational account, drawn upon only to cover clients’ confirmed flights, with the client’s explicit sign-off before any deduction.”
For consumers, the recent industry disruption underscores a relatively simple lesson: choosing a private aviation provider involves more than comparing aircraft and hourly rates.
Zaher, who previously held leadership positions with the Air Charter Association of North America, has advocated for transparency, ethics, and best practices within the charter brokerage industry. That commitment to transparency begins with asking the right questions before purchasing a Jet Card.
Before You Buy a Jet Card: Ask These 5 Questions
- Are my prepaid funds held separately from the company's operating funds?
- When and how does the company withdraw money from my account?
- What happens to unused funds if I cancel or the company stops operating?
- Can the provider demonstrate financial stability and independent oversight?
- Are there membership fees, blackout dates, expiration rules or cancellation penalties?
The recent events provide an opportunity for private aviation consumers to look beyond the aircraft itself and examine the business practices of the company arranging the flight.
For travelers placing substantial amounts of money on account, that due diligence may be just as important as the safety checks performed before takeoff.
Beyond the Five Questions
Beyond the five questions, clients can run a few quick checks on their own. Search the executives’ and owners’ names for criminal records, bankruptcies, or prior lawsuits. Look up the company alongside terms like DOT complaints, NTSB, or safety incident. Read reviews on Google and Trustpilot, independent third-party platforms where feedback isn’t controlled by the broker. Confirm how long the company has operated and whether that span includes surviving a significant economic downturn. Finally, verify any ARGUS or WYVERN certification directly with those organizations rather than relying solely on a badge displayed on the company’s website.
Protect Your Investment in Private Aviation
Choosing a Jet Card provider is about more than aircraft availability and competitive pricing. It's about knowing who you trust with your money.
Paramount's Jet Card program, for example, has no membership fees, blackout dates or penalties, according to the company.
Discover how Paramount Business Jets approaches financial transparency, client relationships, and personalized private aviation services.
