US car rental operators redouble loyalty efforts

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on August 22, 2006

US car rental operators redouble loyalty efforts

Car rental companies in the US are once again stepping up their loyalty efforts and promotional activities, with announcements of new loyalty point-based initiatives from Thrifty, Dollar and National.

From now until mid-November, Thrifty Car Rental (a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group) is to award members of its Blue Chip Rewards loyalty programme double points when they make reservations via the company's web site. Blue Chip Reward members earn free days on qualifying rentals at participating Thrifty locations in the US and Canada.

Members are awarded one free day when a member earns 16 credits. Members usually earn one credit for each rental day, but will be awarded two credits for qualifying bookings during the promotional period.

Airline tie-ups And for the same promotional period, both Thrifty and Dollar are to offer their customers triple frequent flyer miles with any of seven airline partners at selected locations worldwide. The offer applies to rentals booked in advance through each company's web site.

A minimum two-day rental of a midsize car or larger vehicle is required, and industry discount rates, tour rates and free rentals do not qualify for frequent flyer miles. The frequent flyer programmes participating in the offer are: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Continental OnePass, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks, United Airlines Mileage Plus and US Airways Dividend Miles.

One two free For the fourth year running, National Car Rental has launched its One-Two-Free promotion, which provides its Emerald Club loyalty programme members with one free rental day for every two qualifying rentals made, up until 15th December 2006. There is no limit to the number of free days members can earn, and they can also earn one rental credit for referring a friend.

This year the programme features serialised electronic coupon codes, which are delivered to customers via e-mail (usually four to six weeks after the second qualifying rental). This removes the need for customers to carry and present vouchers when they go to redeem for their free rental day.

For additional information: ·  Visit Thrifty at http://www.thrifty.com ·  Visit Dollar at http://www.dtag.com ·  Visit National at http://www.nationalcar.com