• Wheels Up offers three membership tiers — Connect, Core, and Business — with first-year costs ranging from $2,995 to $29,500.
• Amex Platinum cardholders can save up to 40% on their first year, and Costco members can access Connect for as low as $1,995.
• Capped hourly rates are a core benefit — members pay predictable per-hour pricing across five aircraft categories, from the King Air 350i to large-cabin jets.
• Flight credits offset your membership dues — Connect members receive $500 and Core members receive $2,000 back toward flights.
• There are new booking restrictions for first-year members — keep reading to find out what you can and can’t book when you first join.

Private jet memberships are notoriously hard to price — Wheels Up is one of the few programs that actually publishes its numbers, making it easier to decide if it fits your travel budget.

Wheels Up is one of the largest private aviation networks in the U.S., giving members access to a managed fleet of turboprops, light jets, and large-cabin aircraft with guaranteed availability and capped hourly rates. Wheels Up has built its model around making private flying more accessible and transparent, with membership tiers designed to match different flying frequencies and budgets — whether you’re a occasional flyer or a business running regular routes.

Wheels Up Has Three Membership Tiers — Here’s What Each One Costs

Wheels Up keeps its structure straightforward with three membership levels: Connect, Core, and Business. Each one unlocks access to the same core fleet but differs in price, included passengers, and the depth of perks you receive. Choosing the right tier comes down to how often you fly and how many people typically travel with you.

Connect Membership: $2,995 First Year, $2,495 to Renew

Connect is the entry-level tier, and it’s priced to match. At $2,995 for your first year and $2,495 for every renewal after that, it’s the most accessible way into the Wheels Up ecosystem. You get access to the full fleet, capped hourly rates, and a 24/7 membership services team right out of the gate.

• First-year cost: $2,995
• Renewal cost: $2,495/year
• Costco discounted price: $1,995
• Included lead passengers: Up to four
• Flight credit included: $500
• Delta SkyMiles on new membership: 10,000 miles

The Connect tier is positioned for people who fly privately a few times a year and want guaranteed access without committing to heavy annual spend. You still get the capped hourly rates that are central to Wheels Up’s value proposition, which means no surprise pricing spikes during peak travel periods.

One important note: Connect members access signature Wheels Down events and a FoundersCard membership, but they don’t get the full Wheels Down benefits suite that Core members unlock. If lifestyle perks beyond aviation matter to you, that gap is worth factoring in before choosing this tier. For those interested in understanding more about business jets, you might find the Gulfstream vs Bombardier comparison helpful.

Core Membership: Built for Frequent Flyers Doing 10–30 Hours a Year

Core is where the program starts to make serious financial sense for regular private flyers. Wheels Up prices it at $17,500 in year one and $8,500 from year two onward — a significant drop that rewards members who stick around. The jump in price over Connect reflects a meaningfully larger benefit package and more built-in value per flight, similar to comparing Gulfstream vs. Bombardier business jets for cost and performance.

Wheels Up explicitly targets this tier at members flying 10 to 30 hours privately per year. At that cadence, the capped hourly rates and $2,000 flight credit start to offset a large chunk of the membership cost, especially if you’re flying midsize or larger aircraft regularly.

Core members also unlock the full Wheels Down benefits package — which Wheels Up values at more than $35,000 — compared to Connect members who only receive access to signature events and FoundersCard. That expanded benefits suite includes lifestyle perks, partner access, and priority service layers that add up quickly for frequent travelers.

Business Membership: $29,500 First Year, $14,500 to Renew

The Business membership is designed for companies that need reliable, recurring private air travel for executives and teams. At $29,500 in year one and $14,500 for renewals, it’s the most expensive tier by a wide margin — but it’s structured for multi-passenger, high-frequency travel rather than individual use.

• First-year cost: $29,500
• Renewal cost: $14,500/year
• Included lead passengers: Up to six
• Dedicated account manager: Yes
• Full fleet access with 24-hour notice: Yes

Six authorized lead passengers is the defining feature that sets Business apart from the other tiers. For companies rotating executives across multiple routes, that flexibility eliminates the need for separate memberships and consolidates travel spend under a single account.

The Business membership also comes with a dedicated account manager — the same benefit Core members receive — along with all the fleet access and capped rate structures available across the program. For organizations running 20-plus hours of private travel annually across a leadership team, the math on Business membership starts to look very competitive against charter-on-demand pricing.

Capped Hourly Flight Rates by Aircraft Type

One of the most practical features of a Wheels Up membership is the capped hourly rate structure. Unlike dynamic charter pricing — which can swing dramatically based on demand, seasonality, and route — Wheels Up members lock in maximum per-hour rates across every aircraft category in the fleet. You’ll never pay more than the capped rate, though you may pay less through the marketplace.

Members get guaranteed booking access to the full Wheels Up fleet with as little as 24 hours’ notice, spanning five distinct aircraft types. Each category serves a different range and passenger capacity need, so understanding the rate tiers helps you estimate real trip costs before committing.

King Air 350i: The Turboprop Entry Point

The King Air 350i is Wheels Up’s turboprop workhorse and the most affordable aircraft in the fleet to fly. It’s a pressurized twin-turboprop that seats up to eight passengers comfortably, making it a solid choice for shorter regional routes where jet speed isn’t critical. The capped hourly rate for the King Air 350i sits at $5,295 per hour.

Light Jet: Step Up in Speed and Range

Light jets are the next step up, offering true jet performance with a pressurized cabin suited for routes up to around three hours. They typically seat six to eight passengers and cruise significantly faster than the King Air. Members pay a capped rate of $6,495 per hour on light jets within the Wheels Up fleet.

For many Connect and Core members flying shorter domestic routes with smaller groups, the light jet hits the sweet spot of performance and cost. The $1,200 per-hour jump from the King Air is real money at scale, so route planning matters — especially if a turboprop can cover the distance just as well.

Midsize Jet: $7,795/Hour

Midsize jets expand your range and cabin comfort meaningfully. These aircraft typically seat seven to nine passengers with a stand-up or near-stand-up cabin, making them well-suited for cross-country domestic routes and longer regional flights. The capped hourly rate for midsize jets is $7,795 per hour.

This is often the default choice for Core and Business members running consistent routes over two to four hours. The added cabin space and range make a material difference in trip comfort, and at capped rates, you’re protected from peak-period surges that would otherwise drive charter prices higher.

Super-Midsize Jet: $9,295/Hour

Aircraft Type	Capped Hourly Rate	Typical Passenger Capacity
King Air 350i	$5,295/hr	Up to 8
Light Jet	$6,495/hr	6–8
Midsize Jet	$7,795/hr	7–9
Super-Midsize Jet	$9,295/hr	8–10
Large-Cabin Jet	$12,995/hr	10–16

The super-midsize category is where transcontinental range becomes standard. These jets can comfortably handle coast-to-coast routes nonstop, with stand-up cabins and enhanced amenities suited for longer travel days. Members access super-midsize aircraft at a capped rate of $9,295 per hour.

For business travelers making regular New York-to-Los Angeles or similar long-haul domestic runs, the super-midsize tier offers the range and comfort to work productively in the air. Compared to charter-on-demand rates for the same aircraft — which regularly exceed $10,000–$12,000 per hour in peak periods — the capped rate delivers genuine protection against pricing volatility.

Large-Cabin Jet: $12,995/Hour

Large-cabin jets represent the top of the Wheels Up fleet, with full stand-up cabins, dedicated crew rest areas on some models, and the range to handle international routes. These aircraft seat anywhere from 10 to 16 passengers and are typically booked by Business members or Core members traveling with larger groups.

At $12,995 per hour, this is the highest capped rate in the program — but for what you’re getting in aircraft size, range, and onboard experience, it’s competitive with the open charter market for comparable jets. When you factor in the predictability of the capped structure, large-cabin bookings through Wheels Up are notably easier to budget for than equivalent charter quotes.

Flight Credits and How They Work

Flight credits are one of the most straightforward ways Wheels Up offsets the cost of membership dues. When you join, a portion of what you pay comes back to you as usable credit toward actual flights — reducing your real out-of-pocket cost from day one. It’s not a promotional gimmick; it’s baked directly into the membership structure at both the Connect and Core tiers.

It’s worth knowing that Flight Spend — the activity that earns you Delta SkyMiles and tracks your program engagement — includes membership fees, flight costs, and any funds deposited into the Wheels Up Fund Program. Credits count once the flight is actually flown, so they apply to completed travel rather than bookings in progress.

Connect Members Get $500 in Flight Credits

Connect members receive a $500 flight credit included with their membership. At a first-year cost of $2,995, that credit brings your effective entry cost down to $2,495 — essentially matching what renewal members pay. It’s a small but meaningful offset, particularly for members who fly the King Air 350i or light jets where the per-hour cost is lower and individual legs are less expensive.

Core Members Get $2,000 in Flight Credits

Core members receive a significantly larger $2,000 flight credit with their membership. On a $17,500 first-year dues payment, that credit reduces your effective cost to $15,500 — and for members flying midsize or larger jets, it can cover a meaningful portion of a single leg. Given that Core is positioned for members flying 10 to 30 hours annually, the $2,000 credit gets absorbed quickly and adds real value early in the membership year.

The Amex Platinum Card Cuts Membership Costs Significantly

In July 2021, Wheels Up launched a formal partnership with American Express, and it remains one of the most compelling ways to reduce your membership cost. If you carry The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’re already eligible for meaningful discounts on both Connect and Core memberships — discounts that can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in year one alone.

20% Off Connect, 40% Off Core in Year One

Standard Amex Platinum cardholders receive a 20% discount on their first year of Connect membership, bringing the cost down from $2,995 to approximately $2,396. The bigger savings are on Core — cardholders get 40% off in year one, dropping the $17,500 initiation cost to around $10,500. That’s a $7,000 reduction just for being an Amex Platinum cardholder.

For invite-only Amex Centurion (Black Card) cardholders, the discounts go even further. These members receive 35% off Connect memberships and 45% off Core memberships, bringing first-year costs to approximately $1,946 and $9,625 respectively. Centurion cardholders also get waived transaction fees for two marketplace bookings per year — a detail that adds up if you’re booking frequently.

Beyond the membership discount, Amex Platinum cardholders also gain preferred marketplace access as non-members. Specifically, they get the $495 standard transaction fee waived on their first Wheels Up flight booked through the app, plus access to one round-trip or one-way domestic flight on a King Air 350i at a guaranteed capped hourly rate — no membership required to access that entry point.

• Amex Platinum — Connect discount: 20% off year one (~$2,396)
• Amex Platinum — Core discount: 40% off year one (~$10,500)
• Amex Centurion — Connect discount: 35% off year one (~$1,946)
• Amex Centurion — Core discount: 45% off year one (~$9,625)
• Centurion marketplace perk: Waived transaction fees on two bookings per year
• Platinum non-member perk: First transaction fee waived + one King Air 350i flight at capped rate

How to Claim Your Amex Discount

Claiming the discount is handled directly through the Wheels Up enrollment process. When signing up, you’ll link your eligible Amex Platinum or Centurion card to verify cardholder status, at which point the discounted rate is applied automatically. There’s no separate application or coupon code required — the partnership is integrated into the membership flow. For those interested in comparing other premium travel options, explore Gulfstream vs Bombardier business jets for cost and performance insights.

One thing to keep in mind: the discounted pricing applies to year-one membership costs. Renewal pricing reverts to standard rates ($2,495 for Connect, $8,500 for Core), so factor that into your long-term cost projection. The year-one savings are substantial, but your second-year budget should reflect full renewal pricing unless Amex and Wheels Up extend the partnership terms.

You Can Buy a Wheels Up Membership Through Costco for $1,995

Costco sells Wheels Up Connect memberships for $1,995 — a full $1,000 less than the standard first-year rate. That’s not a typo. Costco’s wholesale relationship with Wheels Up makes it one of the cheapest legitimate entry points into the program, and it comes with the same fleet access, capped hourly rates, and membership benefits as purchasing directly. Core memberships are also available through Costco at the standard $17,500 first-year price, but include a $3,500 Costco Shop Card and a $4,000 flight credit — making the effective cost meaningfully lower than buying direct.

What $35,000 in Lifestyle Benefits Actually Includes

Wheels Up values its full membership benefits package at more than $35,000, and while that figure is their own valuation, the package is genuinely broad. The lifestyle benefits layer extends well beyond aviation access — it’s positioned as a membership in a broader travel and experience ecosystem, with partner perks across hospitality, events, and business services. The key distinction is that not all tiers unlock the full package.

Wheels Down Event Access and FoundersCard Membership

Wheels Down is Wheels Up’s lifestyle and events arm, giving members access to curated experiences across sports, entertainment, and travel. Both Connect and Core members receive access to signature Wheels Down events — think premium sporting events, private dinners, and exclusive experiences that are off-limits to the general public. All members also receive a FoundersCard membership, which provides its own layer of hotel, lifestyle, and business service discounts.

Core vs. Connect: What’s Different in the Benefits Package

The gap between Connect and Core in terms of lifestyle benefits is significant. Connect members get signature event access and FoundersCard — solid perks, but a subset of what’s available. Core members unlock the full Wheels Down benefits suite, which includes the complete range of partner benefits, priority access to experiences, and the full catalog of lifestyle perks that make up Wheels Up’s $35,000 valuation. If you’re flying at the Core tier already, the expanded benefits package comes with the membership at no additional cost — it’s simply part of what you’re paying for.

The Fund Program Lowers Your Per-Flight Costs

The Wheels Up Fund Program is a prepaid deposit structure that lets members commit flight spend upfront in exchange for preferential per-hour pricing. Rather than paying standard capped rates on every flight, Fund Program participants can unlock lower effective rates by depositing a lump sum that gets drawn down as they fly. It’s best suited for members who already know they’ll hit a certain flight volume over the year and want to optimize their cost-per-hour accordingly.

Fund deposits count toward your overall Flight Spend — which matters for Delta SkyMiles accrual and your standing within the program. However, Wheels Up is explicit that Flight Spend credit for fund deposits is only recognized after the corresponding flight is flown, not at the point of deposit. That distinction is important for members tracking their SkyMiles accumulation or any spend-based status thresholds within the program.

How Committing Upfront Unlocks Lower Rates

The Fund Program works on a simple principle: the more you commit upfront, the better your effective per-hour pricing becomes. Members who deposit larger sums into their Wheels Up Fund gain access to reduced flight rates that sit below the standard capped hourly rates — meaning the King Air 350i, light jet, and midsize rates you’d normally pay at the member ceiling can come down meaningfully with a substantial fund deposit. For high-frequency flyers, this is where the real cost optimization happens.

Think of it as buying your flight hours in bulk. If you’re a Core member already flying 20-plus hours a year, pre-committing that spend through the Fund Program rather than booking flight by flight can shave a measurable amount off your annual aviation bill. The math is straightforward — lower effective hourly rates multiplied across your typical annual flight hours produces real savings, particularly on midsize and larger jets where the per-hour cost base is already high.

Jet Upgrade Perks for Larger Commitments

Larger Fund Program deposits also unlock jet upgrade opportunities — meaning members who commit significant upfront spend gain preferential access to step up to a larger aircraft category at rates closer to their committed tier pricing. This is particularly valuable for Business members who occasionally need large-cabin capacity but don’t want to absorb the full $12,995 per hour capped rate every time. The upgrade access creates flexibility to right-size the aircraft to the trip without fully repricing every booking.

For corporate accounts running the Business membership, this feature effectively turns the Fund Program into a travel planning tool. By depositing annual expected spend upfront, companies can lock in more predictable per-seat costs across multiple routes, make better use of larger aircraft when the headcount justifies it, and keep their aviation budget from fluctuating quarter to quarter based on aircraft availability pricing.

New Member Booking Restrictions You Need to Know About

Wheels Up introduced new booking restrictions for first-year Connect and Core members that are worth understanding before you sign up. Specifically, new members in their first year face limitations on booking private charters through the platform — a change that came alongside the American Express partnership expansion. These restrictions are designed to maintain fleet availability for longer-tenured members while the program scales, but they do affect what you can book immediately after joining.

The practical implication is that if private charter access — beyond the managed Wheels Up fleet — is central to your travel plan in year one, you’ll want to factor this in before selecting your tier. Marketplace bookings and access to the core Wheels Up fleet remain available, and the capped hourly rate structure still applies. But first-year members should go in with clear expectations about charter limitations rather than discovering them after joining. After year one, the restrictions lift and full program access is restored. For a comparison of business jets for cost and performance, consider exploring other options that may suit your travel needs.

Is a Wheels Up Membership Worth the Cost?

The honest answer depends almost entirely on how many hours you fly privately each year. For someone doing fewer than five hours of private travel annually, the membership dues are difficult to justify regardless of tier — the per-flight economics just don’t stack up against booking on-demand charter or using a jet card. But for anyone flying regularly in the 10-to-30-hour range, the combination of guaranteed availability, capped hourly rates, flight credits, and Delta SkyMiles accrual builds a compelling total value case that on-demand charter simply can’t match for consistency.

Where Wheels Up genuinely stands out is in predictability. Charter pricing is notoriously volatile — the same route can cost 40% more during peak demand periods. Wheels Up’s capped rate structure eliminates that uncertainty entirely, which has real value for anyone budgeting private travel across a full year. Add the Amex Platinum discount in year one, or the Costco Connect price of $1,995, and the entry cost is lower than most people assume. If you’re already flying privately with any regularity, Wheels Up membership is worth a serious look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions people ask about Wheels Up membership costs, answered directly.

What is the cheapest Wheels Up membership available?

The cheapest Wheels Up membership is the Connect tier purchased through Costco for $1,995. This is $1,000 less than the standard $2,995 first-year direct price and includes the same fleet access, capped hourly rates, $500 flight credit, and 24/7 membership services as buying directly from Wheels Up. Amex Centurion cardholders can also access Connect at approximately $1,946 through the cardholder discount program, making it the lowest available price outside of Costco.

Do Wheels Up flight credits expire?

Wheels Up flight credits are tied to your active membership year and are intended to be used toward flights within that membership period. Wheels Up does not publicly publish a standalone expiration policy for flight credits beyond the membership term, so it’s worth confirming the specific terms directly with your membership services team when you join — particularly if you plan to hold credits across a renewal cycle.

Can Amex Platinum cardholders get a free Wheels Up membership?

No — Amex Platinum cardholders do not receive a free Wheels Up membership. The partnership provides a 20% discount on Connect and a 40% discount on Core in year one, along with a waived transaction fee on the first marketplace booking and access to one King Air 350i flight at the capped hourly rate for non-members. These are meaningful benefits, but they don’t eliminate the membership cost entirely.

The closest thing to a free entry point is the non-member Amex Platinum perk — you can book one domestic King Air 350i flight at the capped hourly rate without holding a membership, with the standard $495 transaction fee waived. That’s a genuine taste of the product without any membership commitment, but full program access still requires paying dues at the Connect tier or above.

How many people can fly under one Wheels Up membership?

The number of authorized lead passengers depends on your membership tier. Connect and Core members can include up to four authorized lead passengers on a single membership. Business members can include up to six authorized lead passengers, making it the right choice for companies that need to give multiple executives booking access under a single account. Additional guests beyond the lead passenger count can typically be accommodated as passengers on the aircraft, subject to the booked aircraft’s seating capacity.

Does Wheels Up charge fuel surcharges on top of capped hourly rates?

Wheels Up’s capped hourly rates are the ceiling on what members pay per hour of flight time — but it’s important to understand that additional fees can apply beyond the hourly rate itself. These may include landing fees, overnight fees, and other operational costs depending on the route and airport. The capped rate structure specifically addresses the per-hour flight cost and protects members from market-driven price increases on aircraft time.

Before booking any flight, it’s worth requesting a full trip cost breakdown from your Wheels Up membership services team or account manager. This gives you a complete picture of what you’ll pay door-to-door, including any ancillary fees that fall outside the capped hourly structure. For most domestic routes on the King Air 350i or light jets, the additional costs beyond the hourly rate are modest — but on longer routes with multiple stops or overnight crew requirements, they can add up.

For the most up-to-date and route-specific fee information, Wheels Up recommends speaking directly with your dedicated account manager, who can provide a fully itemized cost estimate before you commit to any booking.