Just How Much Does OnStar Plan On Charging For Family Link?
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OnStar is considering offering its recently-announced Family Link location-oriented service for an additional monthly fee, GM Authority has learned.
OnStar executives are currently in process of deciding what that fee will be, with sources telling us that the number discussed is between $3.99 and $8.99 per month on top of the standard OnStar subscription fee, which can be paid monthly or purchased for years in advance. The decision to charge an additional fee for a supplemental service would be a first for the GM telematic subsidiary, which was established in 1995.
Currently in a private pilot period, Family Link allows OnStar subscribers to locate their vehicle using a web browser the OnStar website and set specific location-based alerts delivered via email or SMS text message. Most recently, OnStar extended the pilot period for Family Link, which was originally due to expire on September 15, 2011.
What do you think Family Link should cost, if anything? Sound off in the comments.
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As a tester of the Family Link service, it has been a great thing. But there should be no additional fee for Family Link. They are already charging enough for the OnStar service. If and when they charge extra, it will be the end of using Family Link for this user’s account. If they up the OnStar rate to make Family Link included as “free”, we will cancel the whole thing come next renewal time. We love the security OnStar brings, but not at more cost than what they already charge.
I agree. Family Link should be free — as OnStar is already a paid-for service. The nickel-and-diming that will most likely occur with Family Link won’t help its value proposition.
And as much as I love OnStar, I think it could even be offered as a free service in and of itself, being factored into the price of the vehicle. Ford’s SYNC Services, for instance, is free for the first three years after vehicle purchase. Granted, it’s not as polished/integrated as OnStar is, but it works. Some good discussion going on about this same topic in the GM Authority forum here:
As much as I love OnStar, I think it could even be offered as a free service in and of itself, being factored into the price of the vehicle.
Excellent idea! When it becomes available for all Onstar users, I will get it. And the price range that is mentioned is a bargain compared to what other tracking services charge.
As a beta tester of family link I think it should be made simplier just put locate on a smart phone app and charge one time for the app and leave the service free. The locate me on a computer at a specific time and place are not as useful as locate me on a smart phone app would be to me.
The smartphone bit is coming 🙂
$3.99 per month sounds good.
I like that phone app idea… but buy once. Anyone know if it is available?
Now that the testing is completely over and they pulled the free access, I can not find where it says how much it is to add it on. Is OnStar possibly hiding the price until you order it? Shady, very shady.
To my knowledge, Family Link isn’t available yet… thus the reason for no pricing info.
They’re currently evaluating options, etc:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/02/onstar-ends-familylink-pilot-examining-next-steps/
Thanks for the info, Alex.