I received an email indicating the Acuralink security package will be expiring later this month. Apparently it will be automatically renewed if I don’t call to cancel. I currently have the remote package and use the app to start and lock the car remotely. I do like that. I also use the map feature to send turn by turn directions to the nav. I understand that the security feature notifies acuralink if an airbag is deployed. My question is, what’s everyone’s opinion of the security package and is worth the $89 one year renewal. Thanks.

 

I don't think I'll be renewing it. I'm a little frustrated that Acura decided to separate the Security features out and have it paid for separately. For a car that distinguishes itself from others in this class by making pretty much every safety feature standard, this seems silly. And why aren't Security Alarm Alert, Stolen Vehicle Locator and Find My Car included in Security? Seems like they should be. But no, Acura wants you to pay for both separately....

I might keep the Remote package, because a few of the features are nice to have.

BTW the Send Destination (to your nav) function is included in the Basic package.

 

I did not renew it, but they charged me anyway and had to fight them for credit. So, if you cancel, note the date and time and who you spoke with, you might need it later. (I suspect they dug up my previous call and saw that I did indeed cancel timely.)

 

When I called and said that I don’t want the security package to auto-renew the representative completely removed my card on file to ensure that they wouldn’t charge me for it.

 

For 3rd-gen RDX, you can send destinations to the built-in Nav via bluetooth from the smartphone app, if the phone is connected to the car. ( I think their definition of Basic Package includes stuff you can do from their smartphone app without an AcuraLink cellular connection ).

So if you don't need to do it while you're away from the car, the subscription doesn't do much. This is NOT true in our early 3rd-gen MDX; that requires the AcuraLink subscription for traffic and for sending destinations to the Nav.

 

wait, if I never gave them my credit card, can they still send me a bill?

 

Russian hackers gave your CC to them. No problem.

BS aside, I "neglected" to give them my CC information, and the subscriptions lapsed without incident. Aside from some nagging and whining, but with two "young adult" offspring, I'm used to that.

 

Good, I never give CC, cause they start billing you 6 month later hoping you won't notice.

 

Alternatively, many credit cards provide a way to create a "virtual credit card" that allows you to limit both amount that can be charged to it and a time limit. I use this when I negotiate a 1 year contract with SiriusXM, when they claim it will auto-renew at a much higher price....

 

They only had my cc info because I subscribed to the remote package. Thinking about letting it lapse and just getting the hard wired remote start.

 

Side question, is part of the security feature a text alert when the alarm goes off?

 

Paradoxically, I think that's in the "remote" package.

Purported features are listed on the AcuraLink website.

https://acuralink.acura.com/#/compat...2019&model=RDX

 

I had re-upped remote services. But who knows what these people will do? Bill you, then threaten your credit rating if you don’t pay?

I dunno, maybe I am untrusting and paranoid...

 

As I understand it, basic (free) Acuralink includes sending nav points via cellular connection. And traffic information is also free.

While we're on the topic, what the hell is the "destination by voice" feature that is included in the Remote package? I don't see anything in the app. Does this just mean using voice commands in my car, or is it using the AcuraLink button in the car somehow?

I haven't had a lot of success with the voice command to my nav. Last time I used it, it directed me to somewhere in the middle of Kansas instead of the location in upstate NY that I wanted to go.

 

Same here. I called to cancel because the email notification said it would be automatically renewed unless I called (I guess my card is on file for the remote renewal). Well, shockingly they weren't able to get into the computer system to cancel and recommended that I call again to get a credit after I'm charged. Ridiculous. I don't know why I always expect more from a luxury car manufacturer. And yes, I did note the date and time and person I spoke with.

 

I don't normally use car play and connect the iphone, so I like creating the route while I'm in the house and then it's automatically in the car's nav.

 

Once they have your card on file.... even if I wanted to try out something for a year, the thought of giving them
my CC scares me

 

I have a credit card that I use for my online stuff. Makes it easier to see how things are going.

 

Madd Dog I had exactly the same issue you warned me about. Sure enough the $89 acuralink security charge showed up on my credit card statement after I had specifically cancelled it a month ago. I did note the date and who I spoke with though I'm not sure they cared. The first rep I spoke to on this call gave me the runaround and supposedly didn't have authority to credit my account. So I waited on hold for ten minutes until the next rep tried to explain why I need the security subscription. I did my best to avoid being rude but it wasn't easy. In the end she agreed to credit my account and even gave me a confirmation number. Time will tell if she follows through.

 

In situations involving auto renewals, besides cancelling ahead,I usually put a Stop Payment on the charge with my Credit Card folks.

 

The thing is that I like and keep the remote services.

It ticks me off that they can figure out how to charge your credit card for stuff you tell them you don’t want, but say you are not in their database when it comes to included updates and can’t figure out how fix that.

 

It's downright sleazy....hoping to frustrate you to the point that you'll give up and just pay the $89. Fortunately being retired I'll take as much time as necessary.

 

Yeah, I cut them off in the middle of the spiel and said, hey, I don’t need it, don’t want it, and stop trying to sell it to me.

 

Delayed response ( which seems appropriate in the context ), but I think you can push the AcuraLink button in the ceiling console to speak to a live operator and have them search for and send a destination to the vehicle.

■ Destination by Voice

Talk to a live assistant who will search and send turn by turn directions to your

vehicle’s navigation system*. Requires In-vehicle Navigation System*.

 

Unauthorized CC charges make people upset, they might even get pissed off to the point of canceling everything. Other people that read this will think twice before handing over their CC. Dumb way to do business.

 

I learned long ago, from others on a forum like this, that if you want to continue Sirius/XM you never give them a credit card, and you set up a follow up on your calendar to cancel at the end of the term. They will then drop the charge from, I dunno, ~$15 a month down to ~$5, which is all that it is worth to me. Give them your card and you get hit with the full freight.

Why do I keep it when the sound quality is low? Just for some music when I am out and about.

 

XM is known for their dirty tactics, there are many stories when people called them multiple times telling them to cancel subscription, and they just kept charging their card after numerous request to cancel. All these teaser offers to get XM for $5 for 6 month are really intended to get your CC, and then its nightmare to get out

 

Fore warned is fore armed, and I never give them a CC number. They email me the bill, and I write the check.

 

Many credit cards now offer a "virtual credit card number" which you can set up with a time limit and/or a dollar limit. This is what I have done with SiriusXM for many years. But I also call to cancel just before it is to renew and get $5/mo for another year. Then they tell me my credit card has expired....and I give them another virtual card number with a 4 or 5 months expire date, and just enough to cover the charge, including the tax for the one time charge....

My Citibank "Double Cash" is one I use mostly for this, and you can generate this virtual card number right in your online acct very easily.

 

all good ideas, but one should not have to go through hoops to avoid charges... just a bad way to
do business

 

I'll bet a lot of people never even notice the change on their CC statement. At least enough to justify the practice. Especially luxury car owners.

 

Cool.

I have that card.