Hertz - Hertz denied my CDP, was I in the wrong or them?

Okay,

So, I am open to hearing opinions about if I was in the wrong or Hertz. I ended up going to Avis and the rental was fine with no hard feelings towards Hertz, so if you side with them it's not a big deal, I just want opinions.

So, I used my company's CDP code but I wasn't renting, I was present, but my buddy was the renter, it was on his credit card and in his name. We get up to the counter and the customer service agent informs me that it must be in my name because I am the one that works for the company. I tell her to look up the terms of the contract and that friends can rent. She (with a rather rude tone in her voice) says shes looking at it right now and it says, "employees, directors and associates." I tell her that friends always rent with our code and for semantics we call them associates. She said a friend is not an associate and gave us a rate of triple what was booked, so we went to Avis who actually, surprisingly, gave us a decent rate.

So what do you guys think? Should my friend have been able to rent the car?

Thanks.

He should be able to rent the car.

Obviously, they don't feel he should have gotten the discount.

How did they know he did not work for the company? Did they ask for proof?

I'm with Hertz on this one, there's way too much abuse of corporate codes out there and it's causing them to stop cutting decent deals with companies.

Most corps I know of (and yes even our own) have no issues with people who use their CDP (unless the CDP comes with insurance which might unnecessarily increase premiums if non-employees had an accident claims).

Otherwise it doesn't cost the corp a dime and increases their quota which could allow for better leverage if they wanted to negotiate corp rates or perks.

Other than that how can an agent start policing how gets what rate from the myriad CDPs out there? If I was an agent, I would only insist on proof of affiliation if the CDP rate was ridiculously low or for some other special reason.

If you called your friend an associate and it says 'associate' in the CDP terms then I think she was wrong. The only CDP's that were really guarded were CDP's such as the Hertz Employee CDP and a select few company CDP's. For the most part, all the CDP's provided the same discount and from a CSR perspective, the rate is completely irrelevant to their job.

There were no special "services" with my company's CDP, just a good rate.

They asked my friend which company he worked for, he told them his legitimate company, she said who booked the reservation? I said I did and it was my company's CDP and she immediately went into attack mode saying I was the one who had to be on the res. etc. I said look up the terms and she said no an associate is not your friend, and I said, get a dictionary, look up the word associate, you have no idea if he is associated with my company or not.

Oh, and then when I spoke to the manager, she acted like she was paying attention to what I said, walked over to the agent, they talked for about 45 seconds and then she came over to me and said there was nothing she could do.

I explained to her that this is the first time it has happened and that my company generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hertz (it's a multinational company with over 30 billion in revenue) and that the language in our contract is purposely ambiguous so that our friends/family can rent when we call them associates.

Her only response (in broken English) was "we can get you good rate don't worry."

Can I tell you my favorite Matt Dillon story real briefly?
Sounds like you over-shared, i.e., volunteered TMI to Hertz agent.

So why not make it unambiguous and include "friends and family"? Mystified as to the need for ambiguity....

So why not make it unambiguous and include "friends and family"? Mystified as to the need for ambiguity....

Well first of all, I didn't write it, but I would imagine the need for ambiguity is to leave it open to pretty much anyone as an associate is a rather vague term.

Well first of all, I didn't write it, but I would imagine the need for ambiguity is to leave it open to pretty much anyone as an associate is a rather vague term.

Since you didn't write it, is it possible your purchasing/contracting department never meant it to include friends and family and really the associate was meant for employees only? Maybe there was something negative that happened with another employee and a friend and as a result, the code has been restricted more tightly on Hertz's end per the request of your company.

Since you didn't write it, is it possible your purchasing/contracting department never meant it to include friends and family and really the associate was meant for employees only? Maybe there was something negative that happened with another employee and a friend and as a result, the code has been restricted more tightly on Hertz's end per the request of your company.

+1 - "Associates" in common business practice in the USA is a nicer term for "employees." It does not mean "friends." I presume that if your company is large enough to negotiate a CDP, it's large enough to have a contracting officer who can negotiate for what he wanted. That would use the word "friend."

2. It's not OP's employer which loses here, it's Hertz.

3. It's true that OP and his friend could have lied and used the CDP, but they were honest. If they were dishonest, they probably could have gotten away with it. But, that goes to individual character.

3. It's true that OP and his friend could have lied and used the CDP, but they were honest. If they were dishonest, they probably could have gotten away with it. But, that goes to individual character.

She actually asked for ID, my company doesn't even issue IDs to most of it's companies/departments seeing as how company wide there are over 90,000 employees.

I do have an ID though but once my friend said he didn't work for the company she didn't even bother checking my ID, she determined right then and there she wasn't going to rent him the car.

She actually asked for ID, my company doesn't even issue IDs to most of it's companies/departments seeing as how company wide there are over 90,000 employees.

I do have an ID though but once my friend said he didn't work for the company she didn't even bother checking my ID, she determined right then and there she wasn't going to rent him the car.

Well then, she caught OP and his friend red-handed. Clearly OP's company is going to have to issue ID's going forward if it wants to take advantage of the CDP.

Not sure why people think it's OK to use a discount for something to which they aren't entitled.

This is particularly true in the case of a car rental. Can be assured that if there's a serious accident with major personal injury and therefore real investigators assigned by Hertz, Hertz, any CC and any other private insurer will deny coverage and OP will be left holding the bad.

Her only response (in broken English) was "we can get you good rate don't worry."

Was this in the US or abroad?

Why didn't you just put the rate in your name and add him as a driver?

Well then, she caught OP and his friend red-handed. Clearly OP's company is going to have to issue ID's going forward if it wants to take advantage of the CDP.

Not sure why people think it's OK to use a discount for something to which they aren't entitled.

This is particularly true in the case of a car rental. Can be assured that if there's a serious accident with major personal injury and therefore real investigators assigned by Hertz, Hertz, any CC and any other private insurer will deny coverage and OP will be left holding the bad.

Due to the nature of some our business and contracts we don't have company issued IDs in some of our divisions. Ten's of thousands of people are legitimately entitled to our CDP, that includes the over 90,000 people who get paychecks from the company and thousands more associates. I don't see how Hertz can police that.

Plus there is no insurance included with our CDP, I don't see how we would be liable, what if he really is an associate and got into an accident? It wouldn't be any different.

Was this in the US or abroad?

It was in the US.

I'm with Hertz on this one. An "associate" is not generally a friend in terms of business. Your employer doesn't lose any money but Hertz does. Don't take it personally, it's just been years of abuse of CDPs that people aren't entitled to that ruined it for everyone.

I'm all for saving money but there's a reason why it doesn't say "friends and family" in the CDP terms.

I'm all for saving money but there's a reason why it doesn't say "friends and family" in the CDP terms.

It doesn't say either/or in my agreements. It simply says that "You agree that you are authorized to use XXXX's rate". I could be the formerly impeached CEO's ex wife's mistress' child's caretaker for all Hertz knows, but as long as I am authorized by the company (which is NOT Hertz), it's not up to Hertz to decide whether or not to allow me to use the rate...

It doesn't say either/or in my agreements. It simply says that "You agree that you are authorized to use XXXX's rate". I could be the formerly impeached CEO's ex wife's mistress' child's caretaker for all Hertz knows, but as long as I am authorized by the company (which is NOT Hertz), it's not up to Hertz to decide whether or not to allow me to use the rate...

Exactly, who are Hertz to say that he's not an associate? Why is it any of their business, they get their money anyway.

Exactly, who are Hertz to say that he's not an associate? Why is it any of their business, they get their money anyway.

Of course it is their business. Hertz has entered into an agreement with a company to provide a special rate to those people that meet the agreed conditions. How can it not be their business to verify that the person renting meets those conditions

On top of that , it appears that the person didn't meet the conditions ( a friend of an employee is not generally an associate of the company), so making their checks more than justified

Sorry about this - but I am also with Hertz for this one.

Unless you are entitled for that CDP, you are using it at your own risk.

In some cases, it may be even a crime (such as posing an government employee and you are not at all...)

Exactly, who are Hertz to say that he's not an associate? Why is it any of their business, they get their money anyway.

You're kidding, right?

It's most certainly their business if you are using a code you are not authorized to use. That's costing them money.

It's also putting the company discount in jeopardy if on review Hertz determines it's not being used per their agreement.

By the way, Hertz did not say he was not an associate, you guys did when you were asked. The fact they even asked means something caught their attention (maybe the account was already flagged to check).

You got caught doing something this time. Move on.

Well then, she caught OP and his friend red-handed. Clearly OP's company is going to have to issue ID's going forward if it wants to take advantage of the CDP.

Not sure why people think it's OK to use a discount for something to which they aren't entitled.

This is particularly true in the case of a car rental. Can be assured that if there's a serious accident with major personal injury and therefore real investigators assigned by Hertz, Hertz, any CC and any other private insurer will deny coverage and OP will be left holding the bad.

An associate doesn't necessarily mean employee. An employee is an employee. An associate could be a contractor, consultant, partner, or any number of different things. Furthermore, while I was at Hertz, I never had a company issued ID myself. So, for Hertz to demand a company ID is just a little hypocritical.

You're kidding, right?

It's most certainly their business if you are using a code you are not authorized to use. That's costing them money.

It's also putting the company discount in jeopardy if on review Hertz determines it's not being used per their agreement.

By the way, Hertz did not say he was not an associate, you guys did when you were asked. The fact they even asked means something caught their attention (maybe the account was already flagged to check).

You got caught doing something this time. Move on.


What I'm saying is, some lady making $8/hr at Hertz isn't the one who is supposed to police that.

Hertz did say he was not an associate, her quote "A friend is not an associate."

I didn't "get caught." I am entitled to use that code. People from my company use it for their friends and family.

As for the chance of jeopardizing our discount, not a chance, we have over 90,000 employees, Hertz doesn't want to lose us, I spoke the dept. at my company that handles these things and they were surprised I was denied, it's the first time they've had a problem with Hertz. Their quote not mine.

What I'm saying is, some lady making $8/hr at Hertz isn't the one who is supposed to police that.

Hertz did say he was not an associate, her quote "A friend is not an associate."

I didn't "get caught." I am entitled to use that code. People from my company use it for their friends and family.

As for the chance of jeopardizing our discount, not a chance, we have over 90,000 employees, Hertz doesn't want to lose us, I spoke the dept. at my company that handles these things and they were surprised I was denied, it's the first time they've had a problem with Hertz. Their quote not mine.
Then ask them to negotiate a change to the agreement with Hertz to specify friends. Until then if Hertz doesn't want to provide the discount under these circumstances I don't think there is anything you can do.

What I'm saying is, some lady making $8/hr at Hertz isn't the one who is supposed to police that.

Yeah, makes perfect sense, start belittling the employees because you don't agree with their actions. Always a good move.

Why shouldn't she enforce the terms of the discount codes? Who at Hertz is supposed to police them?

And since apparently everybody can use the code, why not share it here for us to use?

You are quire correct; you are entitled to use that code. The employee apparently felt she could jeopardize her "$8/hr" job at Hertz by not following the letter that she uses to guide her; it is in fact and precisely her job to police that, as much as it is to protect her company from would-be renters misrepresenting themselves, such as another, non-covered driver actually driving, etc.

The fact your fellow employees use the CDP for their friends and family is meaningless if the letter of their T&Cs state what the employee stated; they have merely not been caught, whilst you apparently were.

If your company states in their agreement with Hertz "associate" actually includes friends and family members, take a copy of the salient points in the written agreement the next time. Good luck and happy travels.

What I'm saying is, some lady making $8/hr at Hertz isn't the one who is supposed to police that.

Hertz did say he was not an associate, her quote "A friend is not an associate."

I didn't "get caught." I am entitled to use that code. People from my company use it for their friends and family.

As for the chance of jeopardizing our discount, not a chance, we have over 90,000 employees, Hertz doesn't want to lose us, I spoke the dept. at my company that handles these things and they were surprised I was denied, it's the first time they've had a problem with Hertz. Their quote not mine.

Exactly, who are Hertz to say that he's not an associate? Why is it any of their business, they get their money anyway.

Believe me it does cost Hertz money by giving out CDP's more ways then you think. Not only discount but free days companies gets.

A few months ago I posted my CDP number for the company I own on this forum so I could earn extra free day certs. (For every 8 rental days with my CDP I recieve 1 free day cert). Well about a week after that I recieved an email from my Hertz rep saying he was contacted by the small buisness programs dept. that I was in voilation of T&C's by having non employee's using the CDP and having publicly posted my CDP number on a forum board. (So yes somebody from Hertz does read these post).

I got off with a warning and they changed my CDP number and if I did It again I would be removed from the program.

Exactly, who are Hertz to say that he's not an associate? Why is it any of their business, they get their money anyway.

HA HA. Give me a break. They're giving you a discount under the pretense that you are following the guidelines that allow them to offer it. Yeah, who cares if they only get 1/3 their money (you said the rate quoted at the counter was 3x as much), no one should care that you may or may not be using the CDP incorectly. Since when are people entitled to discounts at businesses? It's a privilege, NOT a right. If you don't like it, don't do business with them. Simple as that. :rolleyes:

So, I am open to hearing opinions about if I was in the wrong or Hertz. I ended up going to Avis and the rental was fine with no hard feelings towards Hertz, so if you side with them it's not a big deal, I just want opinions.

Hmm. Seems to me that it IS a big deal to you. All you want to hear is "Hertz was wrong" or you start saying Hertz has no right to police a discount that costs THEM money, and then you are condescending toward Hertz employees. One thing I can't stand is people who think they are better than others, especially when they don't get what they want :td:

I would say if the code was for the State of Nevada, and you were in Vegas, lost your pants there, and say since I went through Nevada one time, I'm entitled to use the CDP. I wonder if you ask your company, the person who handles travel, what they would say about "associates"?

What I'm saying is, some lady making $8/hr at Hertz isn't the one who is supposed to police that.

Hertz did say he was not an associate, her quote "A friend is not an associate."

I didn't "get caught." I am entitled to use that code. People from my company use it for their friends and family.

As for the chance of jeopardizing our discount, not a chance, we have over 90,000 employees, Hertz doesn't want to lose us, I spoke the dept. at my company that handles these things and they were surprised I was denied, it's the first time they've had a problem with Hertz. Their quote not mine.

Well - Hertz, which apparently reads this thread, can narrow down what happened based on the # of 90,000-employee companies w. CDP's and the facts of OP's attempt.

The more likely outcome is that a 90,000 employee company doesn't want its travel policies disturbed and can make an example of violators by holding up OP as an example of what can happen.

Maybe OP is an outstanding employee brining in $millions of new business so the employer will let it pass, but maybe not.

Some businesses, maybe OP's, don't take kindly to employees trying to defraud other businesses.

Well - Hertz, which apparently reads this thread, can narrow down what happened based on the # of 90,000-employee companies w. CDP's and the facts of OP's attempt.

Pretty much every Fortune 500 company has over 90,000 employees and a good amount of those companies have CDPs.

The more likely outcome is that a 90,000 employee company doesn't want its travel policies disturbed and can make an example of violators by holding up OP as an example of what can happen.

Well Nostradamus, I already spoke with the department that handles these things and it's really no big deal to them, as stated previously, it's the first time they've ever had anything go wrong with Hertz.

Maybe OP is an outstanding employee brining in $millions of new business so the employer will let it pass, but maybe not.

Again, they really don't care.

Some businesses, maybe OP's, don't take kindly to employees trying to defraud other businesses.

On the flipside some businesses don't take kindly to some companies not keeping their end of a contractual agreement.

Pretty much every Fortune 500 company has over 90,000 employees

I'm going to call BS on that.

The 50th largest employer on the 2012 list (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/performers/companies/biggest/employees.html), Northrop Grumman, has 117,100 employees, so I estimate the cutoff for 90K is about #75, certainly no lower that #100.

I'm going to call BS on that.

The 50th largest employer on the 2012 list (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/performers/companies/biggest/employees.html), Northrop Grumman, has 117,100 employees, so I estimate the cutoff for 90K is about #75, certainly no lower that #100.

Sorry, I was going by the global list, where the 50th largest has over a quarter of a million employees.

Two words: Book online.

Well, it's pretty condescending to attack an employee based on his/her (supposed) pay rate. We all deal with plenty of hard-working people employed in lower paying jobs that can do their jobs well, be dedicated, and be of high value to their employer and to the people to whom they provide their service. Are you of the mind that a higher paid person is a better person?

Sure, the CDP has to be policed-- why not? If the employer doesn't issue ID, then there is always a pay stub or a health insurance card.

Lastly, let's all keep in mind that there is a thread on this board with CDP codes to be used outside of their area of intended use... :)

The Hertz employee was in the right on this, you cannot use a company CDP for a friend of yours. He is not an employee of the company you work for. For form of ID a business card with the name of the company and your name would be sufficient if no badges are issued. Many CDP's for companies include protection of which you would be entitled to but not your friend. However, on the employee's side of things you could have been the renting person and your friend added as an additional driver. That would have solved the problem ;)