Beginning the week of December 14th, 2015 clients are reporting that they have been receiving their VW Goodwill packages with the two different debit cards ready for activation. The turnaround time from application to receiving the package in the mail has so far been approximately four to five weeks.

One card is a $500 VISA debit card that can be used like a traditional debit card anywhere VISA debit cards are accepted - clothing, groceries, restaurants, whatever. The other card is a $500 "loyalty" card that can only be used at Volkswagen dealerships.

We have heard rumors about VW dealerships allegedly not honoring "loyalty" cards in respect to an imminent lease-end date or having sold the car prior to January 2016. We will try to get more information in regard to this issue.

As we have stated in previous posts, we see no legal reason for you not to take advantage of the Goodwill program. On November 16, 2015, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer who is currently overseeing the multi district litigation (MDL) stipulated that plaintiffs who simply choose to participate in VW's goodwill program will not release or waive any rights to seek further compensation from Volkswagen in a civil lawsuit for damages related to the diesel scandal. Additionally, Volkswagen cannot use participation in the program in any manner to oppose "class-action" certification.