Wheels Up Core Membership
Wheels Up · Capped Rate · Jet Card
$100,000
Starting At
Owned Fleet
Fleet
Yes
Guaranteed Availability
48h
Callout Time
Hourly Rates
| Category | Hourly Rate | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy |
$12,995/hr
Capped rate; plus fuel surcharge and FET |
Gulfstream G450, Falcon 2000, Gulfstream GIV-SP |
| Light |
$6,995/hr
Capped rate; plus fuel surcharge and FET |
Embraer Phenom 300, Beechcraft Hawker 400XP, Cessna Citation CJ3+ |
| Midsize |
$8,295/hr
Capped rate; plus fuel surcharge and FET |
Cessna Citation XLS |
| Super Midsize |
$9,295/hr
Capped rate; plus fuel surcharge and FET |
Cessna Citation X, Bombardier Challenger 350 |
| Turboprop |
$7,395/hr
Starting from; plus fuel surcharge and FET |
Beechcraft King Air 350i |
Key Terms
Pricing
Rate TypeCapped Rate
Minimum Purchase$100,000
Contract Term12 months
Fuel SurchargeIndex Linked
FET IncludedNo
Daily Minimum1.2h
Fees & Surcharges
Taxi Time12 minutes per segment included in daily minimum (6 min takeoff + 6 min landing)
Initiation Fee$8,500 annual membership fee; joining fee eliminated
Availability
GuaranteedYes
Standard Callout48h
Peak Callout48h
Peak Days/Year20
One-Way PricingYes
Service AreaContiguous U.S. with defined capped rate zone; some international coverage
InternationalYes
Fleet & Safety
Fleet TypeOwned Fleet
DetailsKing Air 350i turboprops, Citation XLS (midsize), Citation X (super-midsize), Challenger 350 (super-midsize), Gulfstream G450 (large cabin); Phenom 300 and Hawker 400XP also on certificate
SafetyARGUS Platinum; Wyvern Wingman; Wyvern Flight Leader
WiFiFleet-Wide
Flexibility
CancellationPenalty-free cancellation mirrors callout hours; service recovery covered up to 1.5x original quote; penalty-free cancellation if aircraft not available within 4 hours of scheduled departure
RefundableNo
InterchangeYes
RolloverRate lock period by deposit tier: $100K = 12 months, $200K = 18 months, $400K = 24 months; funds expire after 12-month grace period following rate lock
About Wheels Up
Publicly traded (UP) private aviation membership platform offering Signature memberships with guaranteed availability and on-demand charter. Merged with Delta Private Jets.
Overview
The Wheels Up Core Membership (now called Wheels Up Membership) provides capped hourly rates on the company's owned fleet of King Air 350i turboprops, Citation XLS midsize jets, Citation X and Challenger 350 super-midsize jets, and Gulfstream G450 large-cabin jets. Deposit tiers start at $100,000 with a $8,500 annual membership fee, with higher deposits unlocking lower rates, longer rate locks, and guaranteed availability on all 365 days including peak days. The fuel surcharge is index-linked to the Argus Jet Fuel Index and resets weekly. Note: This program is no longer prominently marketed on Wheels Up's website as the Signature Membership has become the primary offering.
Advantages
- Capped hourly rates with locks up to 24 months at $400K tier
- Guaranteed Wi-Fi on all aircraft categories
- Guaranteed availability 365 days per year at $200K+ deposit
- Industry-leading service recovery policy (1.5x coverage, 4-hour guarantee)
- 20 peak days — well below the industry average
Considerations
- Fuel surcharges are index-linked and can vary significantly week to week
- Funds are non-refundable
- Deicing is now a pass-through cost
- Annual $8,500 membership fee required on top of deposit
- No longer prominently marketed — may be discontinued in future
Peak Days
Definition20 designated peak days per year (reduced from 40)
Surcharge15% surcharge on peak days (reduced from 20%)
Protection & Recovery
Service RecoveryCovered up to 1.5x original quote; penalty-free cancellation if mission-capable aircraft not provided within 4 hours of scheduled departure
Carbon OffsetOpt-in hourly carbon offset fee: King Air $20/hr, Light Jets $29/hr, Midsize $36/hr, Super Mid $46/hr, Large Cabin $65/hr; CORSIA-regulated, ICAO-certified; same broker as Delta Air Lines
Amenities & Services
Concierge—
Dedicated Account Manager—
Digital BookingYes
24/7 SupportYes
Flight Attendant—
By-the-SeatNo
Lifestyle PartnersDelta Air Lines Diamond Medallion status (one status per $100K deposit, up to four per account)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Wheels Up Core Membership cost?
Wheels Up Core Membership requires a deposit starting at $100,000, with tiers up to $400,000 or more. On top of the deposit, members pay an $8,500 annual membership fee. Hourly rates are capped — meaning the rate quoted is the maximum you'll pay per flight hour, not a fixed amount. Fuel surcharges are billed separately, indexed weekly to the Argus Jet Fuel Index. Federal excise tax (FET) is also billed separately. A daily minimum of 1.2 flight hours applies to each trip.
What aircraft does Wheels Up fly?
Wheels Up operates an owned fleet across six categories: King Air 350i (turboprop), Phenom 300, Hawker 400XP, and Citation CJ3+ (light jets), Citation XLS (midsize), Citation X and Challenger 350 (super-midsize), and Gulfstream G450, Falcon 2000, and Gulfstream GIV-SP (heavy jets). Wi-Fi is guaranteed on all aircraft categories.
Are Wheels Up funds refundable?
No. Wheels Up deposits are non-refundable. Funds are valid for 12 months from the contract start date or until depleted, whichever comes first. The 12-month contract term is fixed — unused balances do not roll over.
How much notice does Wheels Up require to book?
Wheels Up requires 48 hours notice for standard bookings and 48 hours notice on peak days as well. There are 20 designated peak days per year, which is below the industry average. Cancellation is penalty-free if you cancel within the same notice window — 48 hours before departure. If the aircraft is unavailable within 4 hours of scheduled departure, you can cancel without penalty. If Wheels Up fails to deliver the flight, service recovery covers up to 1.5 times the original quoted amount.
Does Wheels Up include fuel surcharges?
No. Fuel surcharges are billed separately on every flight. The surcharge is indexed to the Argus Jet Fuel Index and resets weekly, so the amount varies with market fuel prices. Deicing is also a pass-through cost — it is no longer included in the membership. Federal excise tax is billed separately as well.
What is the difference between Wheels Up Core and Signature Membership?
Wheels Up Core Membership is the entry-level deposit program, starting at $100,000. Signature Membership is the current primary offering and targets higher-volume flyers. Guaranteed availability on all 365 days of the year requires the $200,000+ deposit tier. Rate locks for up to 24 months are available at higher deposit tiers.
Does Wheels Up guarantee availability?
Yes, at the $200,000 or higher deposit tier. At that level, Wheels Up guarantees availability on all 365 days per year. Members below that threshold are not covered by the guaranteed availability commitment. Bookings are made through the Wheels Up app, and 24/7 support is available across all tiers.
What safety certifications does Wheels Up have?
Wheels Up holds ARGUS Platinum status, the highest rating in ARGUS's operator safety program. The company also holds Wyvern Wingman and Wyvern Flight Leader status. All aircraft are owned by Wheels Up, not sourced from third-party operators.