National Rental Car Frequent Flyer Service Charge...

[dcfromva]

I was wondering what impact this will have on folks who want to continue to receive frequent flyer miles from National --(where they are adding on $.50 PER DAY fee in order to get frequent flyer miles from certain airlines) I am wondering if they are going to charge all the assorted taxes onto this fee, too.....
I am planning an 8 day rental later on this month, so this would be $4.00 (more if they add taxes onto it). I think I earn 500 miles per rental. ( At this rate, it would make the "free" ticket not quite so attractive... ) Is anyone opting out of their frequent flyer program through National as a result of this change?

-DC


The following is a exerpt from the National Rental Car web page:
"Frequent Flyer Service Charge

Beginning 7/13/03 National will introduce a Frequent Flyer Service Charge in the amount of $.50 per day for qualifying rentals in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico when renters choose to receive Frequent Flyer miles or credits. This service charge is being collected by National in order to offset the administrative and program costs associated with participation in Frequent Flyer programs.

This service charge applies to the following programs:

Alaska Airlines - Mileage Plan
America West Airlines - FlightFund®
Continental Airlines - OnePass®
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles®
Frontier Airlines - EarlyReturns®
Midwest Airlines - Midwest Miles
United Airlines - Mileage Plus®

The Frequent Flyer Tax Recoupment Surcharge (7.5% Federal Excise Tax on the cost of miles awarded at the time of rental) will remain in effect for qualifying rentals in the US when renters choose to receive miles from American and Northwest Airlines.

Accept Service Charge - Continue Automatically Earning Miles
In order to continue automatically receiving Frequent Flyer miles, we ask that you accept the Frequent Flyer Service Charge for each Frequent Traveler Program (where applicable) you are enrolled in. If you do not accept this fee by 7/13/03 you will no longer automatically receive frequent flyer miles. Click here to update your profile and continue earning miles.

Do Not Accept Service Charge - Discontinue Earning Miles
If you do not accept this fee by 7/13/03 you will no longer automatically receive frequent flyer miles.


Can I as an Emerald Club member update my profile after July 13, 2003?

Yes, however any rentals occurring prior to acceptance of the service charge cannot receive retro crediting of miles. "

 

[erikthewise]

As the info you posted states, there is no need to "opt out". By default you will no longer receive miles.

As I see it you are paying as much or more than the monetary value of the miles, so I will not be signing up to pay for them. For example with Delta, you receive 50 miles per day, so you are getting 100 miles per $1. That's about what they are worth when used. If you are that hard up for miles you can sign up for a credit card.