by Jordan Traut-Jellad, Vice President–
Graduate and Teaching Assistants (GAs and TAs) have reported experiencing difficulties using Binghamton University’s corporate discount with Hertz for conference travel, research trips, and other approved University business. Continue reading to understand what’s been going on and to learn more about your options.
On-Going Issue with Hertz in Vestal
Hertz has been incorrectly claiming that only faculty members are eligible for BU’s corporate discount, despite GAs and TAs being covered under the University’s agreement and recognized as employees. We suspect frequent managerial turnover at the Vestal Hertz location has made it difficult for the University to enforce the correct policy. Even when the Travel Office contacts Hertz directly, there have been hiccups when it comes to GAs and TAs. They recommend GAs and TAs book with Enterprise instead.
If you still choose to book with Hertz – and there are valid reasons to do so, including better last-minute availability and our publicly available BU discount code – be sure to have additional documentation ready. This includes:
- Completed R&A form with valid University account
- Request a Purchase Order (requires several weeks advance notice through University finance)
Be prepared for Hertz to still cancel your University discount when you arrive for pickup, even with a confirmed reservation. (This happened to me!) If this happens, remain calm and professional and explain that while you can show them your R&A form, they need to honor your discounted rate because they have not given you enough time to request a Purchase Order from the University. The responsibility is on Hertz to communicate any additional requirements immediately when you make your reservation, not at pickup when it’s impossible to obtain the necessary documentation from the University in time.
Use Enterprise Instead
The University recommends using Enterprise because they recognize GAs and TAs as eligible for University travel. Additionally, they are nationally known for having better customer service than Hertz. Unfortunately, the University’s discount code cannot be published online due to increased rates of fraud. You’ll want to make your reservations well in advance.
You can obtain our Enterprise discount code by emailing travel@binghamton.edu or payable@binghamton.edu with your BU work travel information and please specify that this rental is for BU work travel and whether you are paying with a PO or a credit card, as codes are specific to payment method.
For Work or Personal Travel: Enterprise CarShare right On-Campus!
For local trips, consider the Enterprise CarShare program available on campus at very reasonable rates. This option is available to all students (18+ with a valid driver’s license), for work or personal travel. CarShare is much cheaper than Uber or Lyft, and if the program is successful over the summer, the University may invest in additional vehicles at no cost to graduate students. Visit the University’s website to learn more about this program: binghamton.edu/services/transportation-and-parking/alternative-transportation/enterprise-carshare.html
Questions or Issues? Contact the GSO VP at vp@gsobinghamton.org. We’re tracking challenges graduate students face across campus to investigate solutions and help disseminate important information like this.