In October I rented from Budget Truck Rental. After making the reservation, I was automatically directed to a promtional ad line who identified themselves as Travelers Advantage. The party on the other end spoke rapidly and assured me that there was no long term obligation and I could cancel at any time if I decided to enroll in the program. The company promised $40 worth of free gas coupons which I felt was a big draw at the time.
After receiving the initial packet and charged the introductory membership fee of $1 on my credit card which I was uncomfortable with giving out, I was not satisfied with the products offered or the way in which I was required to used the gas coupons which stretched over a one year period ending December. There would be a $14.99 charge monthly if I decided to keep the membership.
I spoke to the first represenative from Travelers Advantage in late October and requested that my membership be cancelled which meant listening to another five minute promotional speech (rapid) before I finally got my point across. I thought this was the end of our business relationship.
In mid December, while checking my on-line credit card statement, I found that Travelers Advantage had billed my credit card after ensuring me that the membership had been cancelled. For a second time, I called to inquire about my membership. This time I was told that the membership I cancelled in October was for "shoppers advantage" and the latest charge was for "travelers advantage" which I thought was the only membership I had.
This practice by the Trilegiant Corporation is deceptive and in my opinion fraudulent. I was never told that I had two separate memberships assumably for the price of one. The way the employees are trained to discourage your cancellation is distracting and distasteful. I had to listen to the same self-serving promotional speech (rapid) a second time for the primary purpose of discouraging my cancellation.
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