If you are considering using an IFFY rental car code....

[andymattmom]

If you are considering using an "iffy" rental car code that gets you a fantastic deal be warned...over on fatwallet there is a poster in the travel forum, rental car matrix who was asked for ID on the RETURN of the rental car. The ID was not asked for the proof of employment with STATE OF FLORIDA at the time of rental but was asked when returning the car. Of course person didn't have proper ID and is not upset about being charged $250 MORE than estimated total.

The person contacted their credit card and they are out of luck there too.

This should be a reminder to all who use those 'iffy' codes that include insurance, are state, federal or military discounts that they can be asked for ID. If you can't provide you will be charged.

I was asked for Costco card when I used that discount one time. Thankfully I had my card with me!

Not the way you want to ruin a trip by having to pay more for a rental!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you are considering using an "iffy" rental car code that gets you a fantastic deal be warned...over on fatwallet there is a poster in the travel forum, rental car matrix who was asked for ID on the RETURN of the rental car. The ID was not asked for the proof of employment with STATE OF FLORIDA at the time of rental but was asked when returning the car. Of course person didn't have proper ID and is not upset about being charged $250 MORE than estimated total.

The person contacted their credit card and they are out of luck there too.

This should be a reminder to all who use those 'iffy' codes that include insurance, are state, federal or military discounts that they can be asked for ID. If you can't provide you will be charged.

I was asked for Costco card when I used that discount one time. Thankfully I had my card with me!

Not the way you want to ruin a trip by having to pay more for a rental!

And let's not forget, using a code not eligible for can make the contract void and in the event of an accident, good luck getting a credit card or personal insurance to pay for it. Renting under false-pretense is a big no-no.

 

[Lewisc]

Alamo (PHX) not only asked to see my COSTCO card but swiped the card so they could capture the membership number.

That said the rental agency could make things clearer. When I use a discount to book a room my confirmation doesn't list some code. It says AAA rate, AP rate etc and tells me to have ID available when I check in. Rental car confirmation should say something like Florida State employee rate applicable to customers renting while on official business. Probably reduce the number of abusers. Make it harder for people to think it's a "public rate". Also remove some confusion. I'd hate to make a typo and have issues when renting or returning my car.

I suspect the poster in FW could have gotten a legit rate for less then the $250 increase (maybe with a different agency) if they had shopped.

 

[Brian Noble]

Unlike hotels, though, there are dozens (or maybe hundreds) of such specialized codes---many are specific instances of general negotiated rates. For example, all of the CIC universities (loosely, the Big Ten plus Chicago and Notre Dame) have the same rate from National, but we each have a different contract number. I suspect there are many more like this. Plus, it is unlikely that simple mistakes end up just happening to get you one of these great codes.

Could they do it? Sure. Would it be more transparent? I suppose. Do I think they should? Sounds like a non-trivial effort for not much return, to me.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That said the rental agency could make things clearer. When I use a discount to book a room my confirmation doesn't list some code. It says AAA rate, AP rate etc and tells me to have ID available when I check in. Rental car confirmation should say something like Florida State employee rate applicable to customers renting while on official business. Probably reduce the number of abusers. Make it harder for people to think it's a "public rate". Also remove some confusion. I'd hate to make a typo and have issues when renting or returning my car.

Hertz lists the discount code pretty clearly in the booking process (ie. Car & Driver, MA Employee, etc). Some are not as clear, but most offer some degree of clarity.