Originally Posted by
stevelion
I've seen a few posts like yours that mention things like "fraudulently received the car" and I have no idea what you and others are talking about. Not trying to be argumentative but understand where I may be lacking in my own knowledge and/or judgement. I see discount codes posted all over the internet; AWD and otherwise. Sometimes AWD codes are posted alongside a company name, sometimes not. Avis allows me to enter these codes on their Web site and provides no information in terms of eligibility criteria or other terms and conditions of its use. A "Costo" code could be for a Costco member, a Costco employee, a Costco supplier, or someone who has ever driven by a Costco. Personally, I have no way of knowing and Avis provides no information to help me know who is "allowed" to use this code.
So, what "fraud" is being committed if I rent a car with some AWD code and provide all of my correct/legal personal and payment information during the rental process? If Avis requires some "proof" of something needed to obtain a discount, then is it not totally incumbent on Avis to obtain that before driving off the lot? For all I know, AWD stands for Avis Welcomes Discounts. Has there ever been a legal proceeding (court case or arbitration) in which someone lost a judgement of some sort on the basis that they used a "fraudulent" AWD code? It just seems extremely far-fetched to me.
I tend to agree with you so long as you're using a leisure rate without included insurance, although be aware that more recently car rental companies are cracking down on unwarranted usage of discount codes. While not Avis, I was in a Hertz last week and watched as the counter rep asked the person next to me for their business ID. Interestingly the lady that was helping me did not ask for my ID. The other person had his, but if he didn't - he would've been moved up to rack rate. But I'd suggest that once you pass the pick-up point, you're likely good, even in an accident, assuming the rate does not include any insurance. if it does - they are likely to ask for proof you are allowed to use said insurance. But if it's a leisure rate that solely lowers the price paid and they didn't question you at pick up - I'd find it a very small chance they'd be asking you about it at a future point. Of course, they can - and they could ask at return although I've never had this happen to me in decades of renting. At pick up - yes. You can play the car rental roulette game, and you're likely to win more than not. Of course with roulette there is always that chance...
Personally I only play with codes I am eligible for. But it would be quite easy for the car rental companies to stop all unwarranted usage, so it's understandable that some think it's worth a try,