Brian Noble
Gratefully in Recovery
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2004
- Messages
- 19,670
Have a backup reservation you can live with, and make sure you have alternate primary insurance that will cover damage costs and loss of use.
I got the price with this code and code 211220.
What is code 211220 ?
You should see what some of the folks over at Flyer Talk say about people from the DIS.... one of the biggest no-no's is to call National or Alamo to ask if you can use a code. Usually these codes are meant for a certain demographic OR there is a glitch in their system.
If you are unsure weather you should use a code or not, don't use it. If you are willing to take the chance.... go for it! I have a code I can use to get the Hyatt at MCO for $100 using a corporate code I don't qualify for, BUT, I have read they don't ask for ID. I am not willing to take that chance with the family standing there with the outside chance we get bumped to RACK rate of $300!
Duds
Bottom line is this:
If you are not sure that you are allowed use a code or if a code is good - DON'T USE THE CODE!
DO NOT CALL THE RENTAL COMPANY! All calling the car rental company accomplishes is to alert the company that there is a deep-discount code floating around that the general public has gotten ahold of. They WILL tell you yes, yes on the phone because it costs them money to have you on the line. What all these people calling the company and asking "Am I allowed to use this code?" numerous times is to have them check the code. (I am a ateacher. If I give a test or assignment and numerous kids ask me to clarify question number 14, you bet I'm going to check number 14 and fix it or eliminate it altogether.) Similarly the car rental company will kill the code that people keep "calling the company" to ask about and issue a new one that is more private.
***PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...in the name of all that is holy, STOP calling the car rental companies about codes you aren't sure of. Just DON'T USE THEM.****
PSA over, now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
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& policies would be helpful here for the more inexperienced traveler?
just don't call the vendor & ask
you are effectively killing the code by red-flagging it. Nope. The only thing that is happening is that some person in who-knows where, getting paid minimum wage or (probably) less, took your information and entered it into the same booking tool that you could use yourself.If I call Alamo and ask them to book it with this code, and they don't tell me I'll need any kind of proof that I'm eligible for it, aren't they kind of saying it's OK to use it?
Nope. The only thing that is happening is that some person in who-knows where, getting paid minimum wage or (probably) less, took your information and entered it into the same booking tool that you could use yourself.
OK- I didn't think about it that way. I just assumed that the system they were using was some sort of internal system that would prompt them to ask for additional information if it was needed. Thanks for clearing that up.
I totally agree!! I was so mad. Last year I got a great code from Flyertalk. The some um, brain mattered challenged members, from here on the Dis kept calling National and saying bright things like.
"I'm not eligible for this code but can I use it?"
or
"I got this off the internet, who is it for?"
Bye, bye code.
Hello! If the code were meant for you, National would have sent you something to let you know. Like Disney's pin codes.
How many times does someone have to repeat:
Don't call and ask if you can use it.
You'll only bring the code to National's attention.
It is only a matter of time before they cancel this code and no they will NOT honor it even after it is reserved so be sure to check your reservation before you leave so you have the price you want.
Why ask if you can call if you don't like the answer?
Part of the "fault" goes with National/Alamo. They know which rate programs produce excetionally low rates. First step is to put better disclaimer language in the confirmation.
A passport is also required to be eligible for the "Passport Superdrive Rates" offered by National. If the renter does not have a passport, "Passport Superdrive Rates" cannot be honored but the rental can still be done on another rate/plan.
Here is another example.
At WDW, I can call reservations and book an AP rate. I don't need an AP in hand, nor do I need to quote the AP number. In the other Disney parks around the world (including I believe still DL in CA) I must read out my AP number before I can book a room.
So I book a room at WDW at the AP rate, I show up at the resort to check in, and nobody asks for my AP (in the literally 100's of times I have stayed at WDW I believe that they asked for my AP once)
In my fictional but very possible example, I booked and stayed at the AP rate, but I wasn't an AP holder. Was Disney at fault? Reservations wasn't at fault because their system doesn't prompt them to enter an AP number for WDW. The resort WAS at fault because they didn't enforce the usage, but I was also at fault for booking something to which I was not entitled.
Imagine if these threads appeared on the Resorts Board - 'Do I really need to be an AP holder in order to book an AP rate?' The OP would be flamed within the first five posts and driven off the board by rabid posters.
Why is it ok to cheat the rental car company but not ok to cheat Disney? I know that 'cheat' and 'fault' are strong language, but I wanted to use an example which would strike a chord to many readers. A better solution may just be to find a discount which is valid for your situation, and use that one instead. Less worry and stress!
People who fraudulently represent their eligibility for a rental car discount don't get to set rules or tell other people what to do. I bolded that statement, but didn't use large type.
I'll agree it doesn't make much sense to call. The CSR may be telling the customer the code is a valid code without really verifying the customers eligibility to use the code.
People who fraudulently represent their eligibility in order to book a private discount code/program run the risk of losing their "deal". It may be phone calls. The rental agency may see how many reservations are made with the code. Rental agencies may just decide to check more reservations. I had to show a COSTCO card in PHX. Rental agencies may decide enforcing code rules is a good way to increase revenue and reduce the number of rentals "below cost".
One of the codes was "discovered" on DIS but that didn't stop whiners on FT from complaining about DIS "ruining" the code for them.
Anecdotal reports suggests most people are currently "getting away" with misrepresenting their eligibility for discounts (at least for National and Alamo).
That is subject to change, without notice.
People who use "questionable" codes are taking their chances. No reason to blame anyone else if they're caught.
Part of the "fault" goes with National/Alamo. They know which rate programs produce excetionally low rates. First step is to put better disclaimer language in the confirmation.
So are you saying that AP rates should be cancelled?
That is what happens when a code is cancelled. Even the eligible people have it discontinued. Poof.![]()
I agree with the "whiners" on flyertalk. If you are reading a thread on "codes" you should take the time to educate yourself on what you are doing and that includes reading all of the posts.
Are you saying all codes are "questionable"? They aren't. Some of them are short term specials and National always maintains the right to revoke them at will.
Please don't resort to name calling. If you use the code you are eligible for, you are not a fraud.
I don't know if you are intentionlly misunderstanding or really don't understand. My analogy was to show that people can book things for which they are not eligible, and may not be asked to show proof of eligibility. That does not make it right, just possible. Lewis and I were responding to one particular poster (Glencora) who asked a specific question.So are you saying that AP rates should be cancelled?
That is what happens when a code is cancelled. Even the eligible people have it discontinued. Poof..
Are you saying all codes are "questionable"? They aren't. Some of them are short term specials and National always maintains the right to revoke them at will.
I never did any name calling, nor do I stoop to that level. The term 'fraud' was not used as a proper noun but rather as a common noun.Please don't resort to name calling. If you use the code you are eligble for, you are not a fraud.
I don't know if you are intentionlly misunderstanding or really don't understand. My analogy was to show that people can book things for which they are not eligible, and may not be asked to show proof of eligibility. That does not make it right, just possible. Lewis and I were responding to one particular poster (Glencora) who asked a specific question.
Of course not. I rent a car almost every week around the world and of course I use codes. I use the codes for which I am eligible.
I never did any name calling, nor do I stoop to that level. The term 'fraud' was not used as a proper noun but rather as a common noun.
I have no emotional involvement in this topic, unlike some others appear to have. Several posters have asked over the years for others to relate their experiences; Lewis and I have both experienced having to prove our eligibility for codes and discounts with various rental car agencies at various locations. Many consider that input valuable, although I caution that what happens to one poster may not happen to another.
I do understand your point but please understand that I find it ludicrous to call and ask if you are eliglible for a code your not eligible for. To continue with your AP analogy, would it make sense to call and ask "I'm not an AP holder can I book an AP rate?" or "I'm not an AP holder will you be checking on that"