AAFES offers more options for AFN decoder rentals

Published Jan. 30, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Matt Summers
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- In response to customer feedback, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service will change its payment policy Feb. 1 for authorized I.D. cardholders who rent American Forces Network decoders.

For those new to Korea, a decoder is necessary in overseas locations for retirees and authorized military and Department of Defense civilians to receive American Forces Network programming off-base.

Customers will have the option to pay by cash, check, credit or debit, said Steve Ryle, Sales and Merchandise Manager at the Osan Base Exchange. In the past, customers had to open a Military Star Card account to pay the monthly rental fee, something which many were hesitant about doing, according to Mr. Ryle.

"Some people don't want to open another line of credit, and I can understand that," he said. "I think more people will rent decoders after the policy change."

One limiting factor to the new payment option is the inability to pay by mail, telephone or monthly deductions. Customers must return to the facility where they rented the decoder to make payments.

In addition, payment reminders will not be sent to customers and payments are due every 30 days. Renters will be given a seven-day grace period to catch up on payments prior to de-authorizing the decoder.

"This issue was a frequent customer comment topic," said Mr. Ryle, who currently has about 350 decoders rented. "I'm glad we were finally able to get the issue solved."

For more information about the new policy, call 011-82-31-661-4239.