Viajero Joven, thanks for the tip. I'm not and haven't been an employee at the university in any way and I don't plan to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Anyway, like I said everything turned out great except one thing.

I just got a call from the lady from Hertz and was told that there is no way I can receive the #1 Club Gold membership before the age of 25, but I'll get the #1 Club membership instead http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Even though the CDP# I'll be using gives me the minimum rental age of 21 I'm not able to be a gold member for the next 4 years. What are the benefits of that club ( #1 Club ) and do you think I should keep "fighting" for Gold ? It's so close.

Any thoughts ?
Thanks

[This message has been edited by Damian (edited 06-13-2000).]

Damian,
Given you paid for the membership, you should get the #1 gold for free. I got it from them when I was under 25, and you should call the ABA and have them fight for you if you want. It's not like you got comped, in whcih case you should be happy with it. But you paid for this, and you should get every benefit advertised.

I don't know how tied you are to Hertz, but.......

I''ve been Emerald Club with National since I was 21-- there's like a $5 underage fee on top of the Emerald Club rates, but if you're looking for larger cars, that might end up a good deal for you. I got Emerald Club free because of my CO elite status-- and they keep renewing it for free, although I only use it maybe 3-4 times a year but I maintain elite.

Thanks BoSoxFan45, I'll see what I am gonna get in the mail in few weeks or maybe call Hertz directly and check on my application status.

As of National and Emerald Club, I called them and they say there is NO WAY they can rent it to people under 25 EVEN with the underage fee. Basicaly there is no such a thing like "UNDERAGE FEE". In addition I don't think it makes any diffrence If you got your membership through the Airline based on your status, because I got mine from TWA and ..... DON'T HELP. The rules are rules, that's what it looks like right now. We'll see in a couple of days, maybe weeks.

Thanks guys for your help and effort.

Wow. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

For mine, I was sent an application, and I just filled it out with my real birthdate (age 21), faxed it in, and they sent my card. When I get to the check-out booth, the agent says something about a $5/day underage fee, and I don't disagree. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Try it and see what happens. Good luck.

Two words of warning here.

1) My wife was under 25, and the only way we could rent a car that both of us could drive was for her to rent it, and I would be the additional driver. We had to pay an under aged fee and have a credit card in her name. This worked OK until we turned up at a Budget rental desk in a minor airport. They refused to rent us a car because of my wife’s age, saying that they did’nt rent to under 25s, even though the reservation was made by phone and had additional info regarding the age int he comments on the reservation. I said ‘ yes you do, and it even says you do in the Budget policy document on the internet’. The manager countered by say that they were a franchise, and could make up there own rules !
2) Watch out on the insurance front. I’m not sure if it’s the same in the US, but if you’re unfortunate and have an accident, you might find your insurance invalid even though they took your money at the time of rental if you aren’t infact entitled to the insurance. I think this is called underwritten at the time of claim. ‘Normal’ car insurance is underwritten at the time of policy issue, and is valid unless you break the insurance rules.

"The Thrifty Collegiate Program extends special rates and benefits to faculty, staff, enrolled students and alumni of colleges and universities within the United States. Participating colleges receive a special identification number that will insure that your college travelers receive the attention they deserve.... Benefits include: ... No Underage Surcharge* (must meet all requirements)"
http://www.thrifty.com/business-collegiate.asp

Flying Dutchman - THANKS !!!

Man, this is goooooooood, and my Universtity participates too http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm kinda $100 short on that ABA membership - oh well.