In a letter sent on April 14 to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the American Car Rental Association (ACRA) has asked for new forms of relief for its U.S. car rental constituents.

The letter asks for increased funding of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses along with extension of the loan terms. It also asks that car rental companies be allowed to apply for multiple programs. 

To encourage Americans to start to travel again for business and leisure, the letter also asks for federal tax incentives, such as a 20% tax credit for individuals and corporations when they book a plane ticket, reserve a hotel room, or rent a car.

The letter also proposes a vehicle buyback program to purchase new and late-model vehicles and retire older, less fuel-efficient vehicles. This would stimulate the vehicle manufacturing, new car and used car industries, the letter states, in conjunction with a program to purchase idled vehicles from car rental company fleets for use in government fleets.

The letter also asks for federal funding of relief from Minimum Annual Guarantees under airport concession agreements.