Mar 13, 2015, 10:14 am
Last edit by: JDiver
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On March 12, 2015, TalkBoard passed by a 6-3 vote the following amended motion:
Voting yes: bdschobel, CMK10, dchristiva, jason8612, kokonutz, nsx
Voting no: Canarsie, MSPeconomist, rwoman
(lower right wiki corner)On March 12, 2015, TalkBoard passed by a 6-3 vote the following amended motion:
Originally Posted by Amended Motion
TalkBoard recommends the following restructuring of car rental forums:
1. "Car Rental Programs/Partners" heading to remain the same
2. Add a new forum at the top of the list titled "Rental Car Discussion" and subtitled "General Topics, plus Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty"
3. Retain these four separate forums:
Avis | Preferred
Hertz | Gold Plus Rewards
National | Emerald Club
Sixt |
4. Close these four forums:
Budget | Fastbreak
Dollar | Express Renter Rewards
Thrifty | Blue Chip Rewards
Other Car Rental Programs (i.e., Alamo, Enterprise)
5. Move all threads from the four closed forums into the new "Rental Car Discussion" forum
6. TalkBoard prefers that the threads moved from closing the Dollar, Budget, and Thrifty forums be identified somehow in the new, general "Rental Car Discussion" forum. That identification could use tags like are used for Hotel Reviews in the Luxury Hotels forum; an appropriate prefix could be added to each thread title; or some other way could be used to identify the former homes of these threads. If such identification is feasible within the next four months or so, we favor delaying the forum merger until the identification task is completed.
1. "Car Rental Programs/Partners" heading to remain the same
2. Add a new forum at the top of the list titled "Rental Car Discussion" and subtitled "General Topics, plus Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty"
3. Retain these four separate forums:
Avis | Preferred
Hertz | Gold Plus Rewards
National | Emerald Club
Sixt |
4. Close these four forums:
Budget | Fastbreak
Dollar | Express Renter Rewards
Thrifty | Blue Chip Rewards
Other Car Rental Programs (i.e., Alamo, Enterprise)
5. Move all threads from the four closed forums into the new "Rental Car Discussion" forum
6. TalkBoard prefers that the threads moved from closing the Dollar, Budget, and Thrifty forums be identified somehow in the new, general "Rental Car Discussion" forum. That identification could use tags like are used for Hotel Reviews in the Luxury Hotels forum; an appropriate prefix could be added to each thread title; or some other way could be used to identify the former homes of these threads. If such identification is feasible within the next four months or so, we favor delaying the forum merger until the identification task is completed.
Voting no: Canarsie, MSPeconomist, rwoman
Motion Passed, Voting Over: Restructuring of the Car Rental Forums
Feb 28, 2015, 1:39 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
I think the forums should be:
-General Discussion (including smaller companies not mentioned below)
-Avis/Budget
-Dollar/Thrifty
-Enterprise
-Hertz
-National/Alamo
-Sixt
I wouldn't object to National/Alamo/Enterprise being merged together since they are all owned by the same company and use the same shuttle and facility (such as at DEN). However Enterprise uses a lot more local, smaller rental locations which makes me think they are deserving of their own forum. Same thing for Hertz.
-General Discussion (including smaller companies not mentioned below)
-Avis/Budget
-Dollar/Thrifty
-Enterprise
-Hertz
-National/Alamo
-Sixt
I wouldn't object to National/Alamo/Enterprise being merged together since they are all owned by the same company and use the same shuttle and facility (such as at DEN). However Enterprise uses a lot more local, smaller rental locations which makes me think they are deserving of their own forum. Same thing for Hertz.
Mar 2, 2015, 12:35 am
#32
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
I feel that a Talkboard member should be held to the same standards when proposing to close a forum.
I'd like to see an EVA Air forum, DYOR if you are interested. Not going to wash is it?
My 2˘, I like the idea of car rental companies being grouped under their ownership. I also like the idea of an additional general forum.
Mar 2, 2015, 7:06 am
#33
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Mar 2, 2015, 8:47 am
#34
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Posts: 33,857
With respect CMK10, I find this rather flippant and duplicitous. When a member of FT proposes a new forum they have to answer the completely ridiculous questionnaire and work out the numbers in order to "help Talkboard understand it"
I feel that a Talkboard member should be held to the same standards when proposing to close a forum.
I'd like to see an EVA Air forum, DYOR if you are interested. Not going to wash is it?
My 2˘, I like the idea of car rental companies being grouped under their ownership. I also like the idea of an additional general forum.
I feel that a Talkboard member should be held to the same standards when proposing to close a forum.
I'd like to see an EVA Air forum, DYOR if you are interested. Not going to wash is it?
My 2˘, I like the idea of car rental companies being grouped under their ownership. I also like the idea of an additional general forum.
Wait a week and a half, you may be eating your words. But if you have other forums you want closed, by all means suggest it. If I agree with you I will personally make a motion to close them.
Mar 2, 2015, 9:50 am
#35
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,603
Isn't this a proposal to close FIVE of them!?
I have to admit: in 17 years on FlyerTalk I don't think I have ever once clicked on a car rental forum here. I rent from Hertz for business and Budget for personal and sixt over seas. But never enough to make elite, so it just doesn't matter to me (I'm a taxi/car service sort of guy).
Which is to say I have no idea if this motion is better or worse than the status quo.
And I'm not seeing much here that convinces me to vote for or against this motion.
For the first time ever, I am seriously considering an 'abstain' vote, because I just don't know what would be best for posters in this case.
I have to admit: in 17 years on FlyerTalk I don't think I have ever once clicked on a car rental forum here. I rent from Hertz for business and Budget for personal and sixt over seas. But never enough to make elite, so it just doesn't matter to me (I'm a taxi/car service sort of guy).
Which is to say I have no idea if this motion is better or worse than the status quo.
And I'm not seeing much here that convinces me to vote for or against this motion.
For the first time ever, I am seriously considering an 'abstain' vote, because I just don't know what would be best for posters in this case.
Mar 2, 2015, 11:52 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
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Posts: 13,498
Mar 2, 2015, 12:39 pm
#37
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,603
Mar 2, 2015, 3:19 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
I think programs that regularly reward flyer miles and bonuses to renters should have a named presence, and I would also recommend combining board titles based on ownership (such as Avis/Budget). Maybe there won't be as big as thread count for the "smaller" brand, but removing it by name entirely seems a bit tough especially when it is shared fleet at most of these locations. I don't think that would be negative for posters either as the thread volume isn't that significant as a whole.
Avis Budget Group might be more appropriate as Payless is now part of that (awarding WN points).
I think Hertz and ERAC companies also have many portfolio brands that should be posted within those family forums. Only through outside brands (Fox, Silvercar, etc.) belong in the general forums.
I actually think it is worse to move the related brands into a General Forum as many of the policy changes (gas refuel charges, grace windows, fees, etc.) are done across the brands for a particular company.
Rasheed
Avis Budget Group might be more appropriate as Payless is now part of that (awarding WN points).
I think Hertz and ERAC companies also have many portfolio brands that should be posted within those family forums. Only through outside brands (Fox, Silvercar, etc.) belong in the general forums.
I actually think it is worse to move the related brands into a General Forum as many of the policy changes (gas refuel charges, grace windows, fees, etc.) are done across the brands for a particular company.
Rasheed
Mar 2, 2015, 4:26 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,886
I'm a pretty regular user of the National forum, and would not be thrilled to see Enterprise or Alamo there. National's unique aisle system means that the rental issues are quite different from those you see at Enterprise or Alamo. I would tend to think that the inclusion of those 2 brands would leave the forum cluttered and unusable.
Mar 4, 2015, 6:45 pm
#40
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,603
Isn't this a proposal to close FIVE of them!?
I have to admit: in 17 years on FlyerTalk I don't think I have ever once clicked on a car rental forum here. I rent from Hertz for business and Budget for personal and sixt over seas. But never enough to make elite, so it just doesn't matter to me (I'm a taxi/car service sort of guy).
Which is to say I have no idea if this motion is better or worse than the status quo.
And I'm not seeing much here that convinces me to vote for or against this motion.
For the first time ever, I am seriously considering an 'abstain' vote, because I just don't know what would be best for posters in this case.
I have to admit: in 17 years on FlyerTalk I don't think I have ever once clicked on a car rental forum here. I rent from Hertz for business and Budget for personal and sixt over seas. But never enough to make elite, so it just doesn't matter to me (I'm a taxi/car service sort of guy).
Which is to say I have no idea if this motion is better or worse than the status quo.
And I'm not seeing much here that convinces me to vote for or against this motion.
For the first time ever, I am seriously considering an 'abstain' vote, because I just don't know what would be best for posters in this case.
And apparently I am not the only poster who doesn't spend much time talking about rental cars!
The Budget, Dollar and Thrifty forums seem hopelessly moribund.
And there seems to be a good case for a general forum.
So the only question to me is whether combining the moribund companies with the other little-talked-about companies and the general forum is a good idea OR if there should be a general forum and a separate 'other rental company' forum along with the 4 strong company forums...and that seems to be the source of at least one or two no votes so far.
I don't feel strongly one way or the other on that question, though.
So at this point I could see myself voting for this proposal. But I would not be devastated if this motion was voted down and we came back with a proposal that had a general forum, the 4 active company forums and an 'other car rental company' forum.
Mar 4, 2015, 7:37 pm
#41
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Posts: 100,399
Somewhat OT, but I've always rented from Hertz as I had early good experiences and felt that they were relatively ethical and reliable worldwide. I generally got good rates with my AAA CPC number and a few times I got a free day in Europe with my Aegean Airlines ticket. Some recent bad experiences have made me resolve to try at least National and to sign up for the National and Avis frequent renter fast track programs. As I've already mentioned in this discussion, my only Enterprise experiences have been courtesy of my car dealer so that I neither picked nor paid.
If the numbers support it, I could be in favor of perhaps merging the three underutilized fora into the "other rental cars" forum, but I think there's an argument to do this one step at a time, starting with the creation of a general rental car issues forum. It might be worthwhile to observe if this impacts the underutilized fora before doing something (merger) that would be difficult to reverse without someone spending a lot of work (time and effort) undoing the action.
If the numbers support it, I could be in favor of perhaps merging the three underutilized fora into the "other rental cars" forum, but I think there's an argument to do this one step at a time, starting with the creation of a general rental car issues forum. It might be worthwhile to observe if this impacts the underutilized fora before doing something (merger) that would be difficult to reverse without someone spending a lot of work (time and effort) undoing the action.
Mar 4, 2015, 10:03 pm
#42
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,621
As an initial matter, while I realize there is limited traffic in many of these forums, I wonder what exactly is prompting this sudden deletion of these sub forums. Is FT tight on server space or something? As my fellow moderator tcook052 aptly noted, just because a forum does not have a ton of posting activity does not mean it is not viewed, searched, or otherwise accessed by FT users and guests, and this could be handled by other, less drastic means.
Notwithstanding that, and, to the extent this discussion involves a move towards rental companies being grouped by "parent" company, my $.02 as moderator of the National forum is please don't.
Mar 4, 2015, 10:17 pm
#43
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,621
Slightly off topic and for possible future use, I'd like to hear people's opinions on:
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
Mar 4, 2015, 10:35 pm
#44
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Slightly off topic and for possible future use, I'd like to hear people's opinions on:
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...flyertalk.html
Mar 4, 2015, 11:08 pm
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Slightly off topic and for possible future use, I'd like to hear people's opinions on:
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
1. A forum for Lyft, Uber, Taxis, and other ride services
2. Placement of such a forum, under Car Rental or somewhere else
Right now such discussion probably belongs in the geographically organized Destinations forums. As Lyft and Uber grow, that might not remain the best place for discussion. If they ever were to start a loyalty program (and why wouldn't they be thinking about that?) we would definitely need a forum for each program.
Or have those several dozen forums for the main ride sharing programs and then place taxi's and other ride services in 4 geographic "other" transportation forums, one each for Other Asian, Australian, and South Pacific, Other European, Other Middle Eastern and African and Other North and South American.