Would you feel comfortable using this code?

[proud_canadian]

I saw on another board someone listing a code for renting cars a national and I was able to get a really good deal (1/2 of what I was quoted before). This code was for a corporate code for his employer.

1) How exactly do those codes work? Will that employer find out people are using their account, if so, it would be easy for national to figure out who I am, as they will have my information!

2) Even if there is no way that company will find out I used their corporate code, will the people at national (even if I use emerald aisle) ask for any proof I am actually affiliated with that company?

Is it worth the risk? Or am I being silly and no one will ever find out!

 

[vicki_c]

Those codes are intended only for people who work for that company (if you want to really stretch it, probably only for people who work for that company who are traveling on company business - but that's not always true). Anyway, although I haven't been asked for company ID in the past, my reservations are always made through our corporate travel agent when I've used the company code, so it says my company's name right on the paperwork.

If they do ask you, you'll be bumming. I would look for another general public type code. Our corporate discounts are not any better than other codes I've used for personal travel that I've found elsewhere.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Our corporate codes are really good, especially in popular markets, but they cannot be used for personal use, only corporate travel. We do have a "open" code, but the rates are not nearly as good.

Is it possible you will be asked, yes. If you cannot prove you are able to use the code, they will either deny renting to you or re-rate you as a walk-up. Corporate code abuse is one of the reasons they tend to change fairly frequently because once the abuse is caught, they will cancel the old code and issue a new one.

Second, if you get into an accident, most likely the company whose code you used will be contacted as they will either self-insure or automatically include the optional insurance. In these cases, if you cannot prove you are eligible you could be in a lot of trouble and be held responsible to pay for the damages because using an invalid or ineligible code invalidates the contract.

You won't get too much sympathy or support from most of the posters on here for using a code you are clearly not eligible for.

 

[keishashadow]

Some corporations do extend their codes to customers, but the ones i've used in the past didn't include the prepaid LDW

typically I flipped the reservation to a better corporate id as the date got near anyway.

 

[Missy Mousie]

I saw on another board someone listing a code for renting cars a national and I was able to get a really good deal (1/2 of what I was quoted before). This code was for a corporate code for his employer.

1) How exactly do those codes work? Will that employer find out people are using their account, if so, it would be easy for national to figure out who I am, as they will have my information!

2) Even if there is no way that company will find out I used their corporate code, will the people at national (even if I use emerald aisle) ask for any proof I am actually affiliated with that company?

Is it worth the risk? Or am I being silly and no one will ever find out!

Used to use National for work trips. I don't recall them ever asking for a work ID, but for me, I had my own account with my employer, so I had a card and they usually asked for my emerald isle card. It's been a while. Every agency is different, and every National office is different. My last trip was about 2 years ago, and no, they asked for no proof at all. They used what was told in the reservation and my drivers lic. and my credit card.

 

[uva185]

It's a gamble. Are you willing to pay the full rate if they ask for corporate ID and you don't have it? If the answer is no then I wouldn't take the gamble.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd feel 100% comfortable using a corporate code if I was an employee of that company and was allowed to use the code for personal rentals. I wouldn't waste my time even checking the rate if I wasn't eligible.

 

[Brian Noble]

We are allowed to use our National corporate code for personal travel---and even our spouses/partners are allowed to use it, as well. It's not the very best code in the universe, but it does give fair rates and includes LDW.

I would *never* use a coprorate code that included any insurance unless I knew I was qualified for it, or I knew I had other primary insurance that included both damage and loss-of-use fees.