Bits: listen to ‘Super Consumers’ like you, Global Entry, 1000 Miles & More with Hertz

News in brief:

How companies should treat their most enthusiastic customers

The Economist has a very interesting article on ‘super consumers’ this week.  By ‘super consumers’, they are talking about people who have a lot of passion for companies they trade with – such as the relationship Head for Points readers have with airlines and hotel companies.

Here are a couple of extracts:

But the most important role of super-fans is to force companies to focus on their core business. Managers love to immerse themselves in the side-disciplines of business—analysing big data or re-engineering supply chains. Super-consumers remind them that these are just a means to an end. Executives need to make sure that they often spend time with them—sitting in on product tests, joining chat rooms and hanging out at customer conventions.

and

There are, moreover, plenty of super-consumers who are as obsessed with solving problems as they are with the products themselves. Eric von Hippel of MIT’s Sloan School of Management has found that about 80% of breakthroughs in scientific instruments came from “lead-users” rather than the manufacturers. Even super-consumers who are fixated on old or existing products (such as fans of vinyl records in an age of digital music) can provide companies with lots of valuable advice and insights on stuff that makes money. Analysing big data is all very well. But nothing beats hanging out with your biggest fans.

The full article, which is well worth a read, is here.

Global Entry appointments at the US Embassy

A quick heads up that, as of last night, a lot of new interview slots for Global Entry accreditation had appeared online for early January.  Our article on the new UK interview process for Global Entry is here.

Up to 1,500 Miles & More miles with Hertz

Lufthansa Miles & More has a new offer with Hertz which looks OK if you need a car soon.  (Although not as good as the ‘18,000 Avios for an Avis rental‘ deal running this weekend ….)

For Hertz bookings made before 31st December, for rentals completed by 31st March, you will earn:

1,000 miles for 1-3 day bookings

1,500 miles for 4+ day bookings

You will also get a free additional driver.

You need to use CDP code 646999 and promotional code PC 203267.  Full details are on the Miles & More site here.  Bookings can be made via the Hertz site here.

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How to get FREE car rental status and other benefits via UK credit cards (April 2024)

If you hire a car in the UK, you can get special benefits (discounts, upgrades, free additional drivers etc) if you have elite status with a car rental programme. You can get elite status for free via certain American Express cards.

The Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum

The Platinum Card from American Express and American Express Business Platinum come with two free car hire status cards. Your supplementary Platinum cardholder can also receive status in their own right.

From Avis, you receive President’s Club status in Avis Preferred. This gets you up to 25% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a guaranteed one class upgrade. For weekend rentals you will receive a two class upgrade, subject to availability.

From Hertz, you receive ‘Five Star’ status in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This gets you up to 15% off standard rates, a free additional driver and a one class upgrade, subject to availability.

Hertz also offers Platinum cardholders a 4 hour grace period on rentals. Your final day is treated as 28 hours, so a 1pm pick up with a 5pm return the following day is only charged as one day, not two days. We wrote about the Hertz / Platinum 4 hour grace period here.

The Platinum Card also comes with full car hire insurance with no obligation to pay for the rental via American Express. You can refuse any attempts to sell you additional insurance at pick up. This benefit has substantial value if you rent on a regular basis.

You can find more details on the two Platinum cards, and apply, in our full reviews linked below. You can apply here for the personal card and here for the business card.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is an excellent card in its own right. You receive 20,000 Membership Rewards points for signing up (convert to 20,000 Avios amongst other things), four airport lounge passes and £120 of Deliveroo credit. Even better, your first year is free.

There are two car rental benefits:

• you receive Preferred Plus status in Avis Preferred

• you receive a special package with Hertz – 10% off best available rates at participating locations, a one class upgrade for rentals of 5 days or more, subject to availability, and no additional driver fees

Find out more about the benefits of American Express Preferred Rewards Gold in our review. You can apply here.