I see the MB Star Loyalty Bonus Program is available on some new MB leases, rebates between $1000-$5000. Lease loyalty is required, but do I need to ground my current lease and return it to be eligible? Or can I keep it/buy it out and still qualify for it? My lease expires end of this month.
Here’s the fine print:
“Eligible customers must have an active qualified MBFS Maturing Lease or Lease Extension Account with a maturity date between April 2, 2024 and September 30, 2024. New finance/lease documentation must reflect the same customer name and/or address as the old lease agreement. Offer is not transferrable. Business accounts are eligible for this program. Guest must purchase or lease one of the following new 2024 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Bonus Amounts: CLA/GLA/GLB ($1,000 Bonus), C- Sedan/GLC/EQB/CLE Coupe or Cab ($2,000 Bonus), E- Sedan/GLE/GLS/EQE Sedan or SUV ($3,000), S-Sedan/EQS Sedan or SUV ($5,000 Bonus). Excludes Maybach vehicles. Must take delivery by July 1, 2024. All credit tiers, based on MBFS approval. Customers are not pre-approved and are subject to MBFS credit approval. Offer not available for cash purchases. Program may be used in conjunction with Mercedes Incentive Bonus, Loyalty Accelerator Program, Affinity Program, Preferred Employer Program, Single Pay Lease, GAP Certificates, Lease Bonus Cashion, Special Lease Rates and Special Retail Rates . Certain exclusions apply. Not valid on previous leases or purchases. No cash value. Expires July 1, 2024.”
I would push back as there’s nothing in the terms that says you must ground the lease, just that you need a lease ending between X dates. Sometimes dealers don’t know or just make stuff up as they go.
I asked this yesterday to a sales manager. Between 6 and 3 months left on your contract, Mercedes will waive 3 payments and will let you make the 3 remaining payments in advance to ground the car if you are getting another Mercedes. This helps if you have an EQS that is worth way below lease payoff. With 3 months or less remaining on your lease, they can just ground the car with no payment from you needed and disposition fee waived as long as you get a new Mercedes.
Obviously if you happened to have a Mercedes that is worth more than the lease payoff then the dealer would be happy to buy it from you instead of grounding it, but you still need your lease maturity happening in less than 6 months to qualify for the loyalty rebate.
