Washington DC – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans has asked both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to investigate the airlines, hotels and car rental companies point systems. Our members complain that the airlines, hotels and car rental companies do not count all of the points that they earn. They only give you twenty percent of the your points so that you will continue to spend more money trying to reach the upper tiers level.
The Rev. Anthony Evans, President of the National Black Church Initiative says, “NBCI is concern about the ethical nature of these programs, their great harm to families and money they are costing all consumers. This is the first action by NBCI Consumer Advocacy Division”
We assert that the system and the administration of the point programs are rigged in favor of the airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Over the years, these programs represent billions of dollars in consumers spending and have the financial weight to determine the profit margin of an industry or individuals companies. This is the most compelling reason why the FTC should launch a broad-based investigation into the unethical and possible illegal practices of some of these companies point programs.
The consumer is at a huge disadvantage and is place in a position to encourage overspend of their own personal and company travel budgets to obtain what amount to peanuts in program benefits. These travel programs could serve also as an inducement into fraudulent practices on behalf of the consumers and companies.
