Q. Can I use a discount code for a car rental company that doesn’t belong to me?

I’ve gotten codes from my brothers who date where they use codes that boys universally share when they rent cars.

A. The response of the major auto rental companies contacted (four) is that they only offer their discounts to bona fide employees or officers of the corporations registered with them and to whom the provide the discount codes. Some mentioned that a business card stating the position of the client in that firm would suffice as proof. They all said they would not extend the discount to suppliers or clients, even if they were given the code by officials of that company. The reason given is that the discount amounts offered are not equal to all companies, they vary on the sum of business given, the importance and size of the corporation, etc., and it is a factor of appreciation and recognition that would loose its value if it was used indiscriminately by all. They maintained that position even if it meant loosing the customer, (one company mentioned the term “cheating”).

I was informed by one major educational institution that the rental company they are registered with, requested a list of people associated with them. If that institution recognizes that individual as a student, employee or a donor,(conforming to the guidelines of the car rental company), and they have included him in their listing, he would be able to use the discount code.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a