FBO Rebate

An innovative new program puts cash back in your pocket

AOPA's membership is a diverse group of people who share one common passion — the love of flying general aviation aircraft. AOPA has learned through studies that despite differing backgrounds, the majority of the membership agrees upon the need to control the cost of flying. For nearly 60 years, AOPA has been fighting for the rights of general aviation pilots by helping to control the cost of flying private aircraft. Whether it be on the front lines in Congress or on the local level, AOPA has long striven to fend off Draconian legislation, user fees, and ill-advised airworthiness directives that price pilots out of aviation and into another hobby.

Much of the work that AOPA does is perceived as cost-avoidance measures instead of direct out-of-pocket savings to you, the member. In turn, it's not unusual to hear a pilot say, "What has AOPA done for me lately?" Well, the list is long, we assure you — but many of these battles are fought behind the scenes, where it is difficult for you to see a benefit.

A new program, however, may change that. This program puts money back in your pocket for doing what you love to do — go flying. What's better is that this program takes a bite out of the costliest part of flying — fuel, aircraft rentals, maintenance, and other direct expenses incurred at the FBO. It's called AOPA's FBO Rebate Program, and it's a bold step in upholding one of AOPA's main goals — to promote safe, fun, and affordable flying for general aviation pilots.

If you hold an AOPA credit card, the new FBO Rebate Program will refund three percent of every purchase you make from an FBO listed in AOPA's Airport Directory that sells fuel or rents aircraft. When your purchase appears on your credit card statement, simply highlight or circle the FBO charges on a copy of the statement and return it to MBNA America, the credit card's issuer, for processing. The following month's statement will reflect the three-percent rebate. What does this mean for you? If you are an aircraft owner or renter who spends $5,000 per year at FBOs, you could save $150 for that year — almost four times your annual AOPA membership dues.

AOPA's FBO Rebate Program was officially introduced last August. A test market conducted at the EAA Fly-in and Convention in Oshkosh met with a tremendous response. Six times as many credit-card applications as the previous year were processed at AOPA's Oshkosh tent. The program's popularity can be attributed to the fact that this is the first rebate program ever designed specifically for the general aviation pilot by any credit card company.

Why is using the AOPA credit card so important? In short, every time you use the AOPA credit card — both at the FBO and everywhere else — AOPA receives a small royalty at no cost to you. These royalties are then used to help AOPA do its job fighting for the rights of the general aviation pilot. More noticeable to the member, though, is the fact that these royalties have helped to stave off a membership dues increase for more than seven years. Were it not for revenue received through the use of the AOPA credit card, annual membership dues would be at least $6 higher per member, said Kelly Tomlin, program manager in AOPA's Products and Services Division. It's worth noting that AOPA and the FBOs pay nothing for the FBO Rebate Program — MBNA funds it entirely.

How it works

To obtain the three-percent rebate, you must use an AOPA Visa or MasterCard credit card for your FBO purchases. The FBO must sell fuel or rent aircraft in the United States. Whether it's an aircraft rental, fuel, or even an annual inspection, you are eligible to get back three percent on your FBO purchases.

When your monthly statement arrives from MBNA, simply highlight or circle the eligible charges and return a copy of your statement to MBNA for processing. The address is MBNA America, FBO Rebate Program, Post Office Box 15063, Wilmington, Delaware 19850-5063. On a following statement, the rebate will appear as a credit on your account. There are no caps or minimums on the rebate — it will work on a $5 chart purchase or a $9,000 engine overhaul.

Perhaps the best way to take advantage of the FBO Rebate Program is to have the credit card on file at your favorite home base FBO. Even monthly tiedown or hangar rental fees are eligible for the three-percent rebate if they are paid to an FBO.

Who's eligible?

Any AOPA member operating under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations who holds an AOPA credit card can use the FBO Rebate Program. Whether you rent a Taylorcraft or own a Cessna Citation, three percent of any charge made at a qualified FBO can be refunded. Ralph Burr of Roanoke, Virginia, received a $14 rebate from MBNA on his first statement after the program was introduced.

"It's a great thing [AOPA has] put together," said Burr. "It's an opportunity to save a buck or two here and there, and it's easy to do." Burr flies his 1977 Cessna Skyhawk out of the Roanoke Regional Airport and buys fuel from Piedmont Aviation Services. Burr, who recently retired, spends approximately $200 per month in fuel expenses. With his newfound free time, Burr flies for Angel Flight, a group of volunteer pilots who transport patients to and from places of treatment. Burr previously used the Discover card to take advantage of the one-percent rebate that it offered. However, when he heard about the FBO Rebate Program, he began using the AOPA credit card exclusively.

Burr wasn't the only one, though. In the first three months that the program was in service, AOPA members collected more than $37,000 in rebates. Each rebate averaged about $19 — or roughly $230 per year. Currently, there are more than 1,900 people collecting rebates with the AOPA credit card.

What does this mean for the FBO?

The FBO Rebate Program was designed with the fixed base operator in mind. Requiring the FBO to do any extra work or buy new equipment was not an option. FBOs that sell fuel or rent aircraft in the United States and are listed in AOPA's Airport Directory are automatically entered in the rebate program. There is no special procedure or equipment required for the FBO to participate — everything is "business as usual." AOPA provides marketing materials such as posters, window stickers, and credit card application displays. Armed with this sort of "mini-marketing program," an FBO can essentially offer its customers a three-percent discount that it doesn't have to pay for. Customers, in turn, will be more inclined to spend money at the FBO because of the rebate.

How does it compare?

Before the FBO Rebate Program, it was becoming increasingly difficult for a nonprofit organization like AOPA to compete in a market where credit card companies offer attractive incentives such as frequent-flyer miles or free gasoline for your car. Now, with the FBO Rebate Program, the AOPA credit card not only supports general aviation, but it gives back to the user a nice little reward as do those other cards — a reward that supports our favorite activity. Throw in a low annual percentage introductory rate, variable interest rates that are competitive with other cards, no annual fee, and a picture of a GA aircraft right on the card and it's clear that the AOPA credit card is designed specifically for general aviation pilots.

To obtain an AOPA MasterCard or Visa credit card application, call 800/847-7378 and request priority code QR37. AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org).

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