Car rental operators step up loyalty efforts
In the US, two car rental companies have stepped up their customer loyalty efforts: Budget is to offer miles to US Airways Dividend Miles members, and Thrifty is offering double miles with six of its frequent flyer programme partners.
Budget Rent A Car has formed a new alliance with US Airways through which Dividend Miles members now earn frequent flyer miles when they rent vehicles from Budget. Members earn 1 mile per US$1 spent on rentals booked on a corporate or government rate, and 2 miles per US$1 on all other rental rates.
Members also have access to special savings and discounts on Budget rentals, if they make their reservation in advance and mention a special Budget discount code at the time of reservation.
Thrifty At the same time, Thrifty Car Rental (a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group) has announced a summer loyalty offer, through which customers can claim double frequent flyer miles with six of the group's airline partners for advance reservations made at any participating Thrifty location in Florida. The offer is valid for online bookings between 1st July and 14th August 2006.
There are some other conditions that need to be satisfied, however. A minimum two-day rental of a compact car or larger vehicle from Thrifty is necessary, and double miles will only be awarded for a maximum of seven days per rental.
Airline frequent flyer programmes included in the offer include American Airlines AAdvantage, Continental OnePass, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks, United Airlines Mileage Plus and US Airways Dividend Miles.
For additional information: · Visit Budget at http://www.budget.com · Visit Thrifty at http://www.thrifty.com