Navigating car rentals for university-related travel can be streamlined and cost-effective, especially when leveraging preferred programs. For University of California (UC) affiliates, understanding the available car rental options, including whether Thrifty Car Rental offers a preferred program, is crucial for both business and personal use. This article delves into the UC system-wide car rental program and clarifies the role of Thrifty, ensuring you make informed decisions for your transportation needs.
The University of California has established a comprehensive car rental program that encompasses several major companies, including Enterprise, Hertz, National, Dollar, and Thrifty. These partnerships are designed to offer UC business travelers the most economical pricing available, complete with robust insurance coverage for rentals within the United States. This system-wide approach simplifies the rental process and ensures that travelers are well-protected while on official duty.
When it comes to Thrifty Car Rental, it is indeed part of the UC’s preferred car rental program. This inclusion means that UC employees and potentially students can access negotiated rates and benefits when renting through Thrifty for university-related travel. The specific advantages, such as discounts and included insurance, are typically pre-arranged under the UC system’s contracts with these rental agencies. For rentals outside of the U.S., it’s important to verify if the UC rates include comprehensive insurance, as additional coverage might be necessary depending on the location.
For UC business travel within the United States, renting from Thrifty, along with Enterprise, Hertz, and National, ensures access to these pre-negotiated benefits. To take advantage of the preferred rates, it is generally recommended to book your car rental through the designated UC travel portal, such as Connexxus. This portal is designed to streamline the booking process and automatically apply the UC preferred rates and benefits.
Regarding vehicle size, UC policy specifies that for most needs, an economy, compact, or intermediate car model should suffice. These categories are recommended to ensure cost-effectiveness. While upgrades to larger vehicles might be available at no extra cost, any request for reimbursement for vehicles larger than a midsize model will require justification. This policy helps maintain responsible spending while still accommodating various travel needs.
It’s also important to note a specific safety regulation within the UC system: UC employees and students are restricted from renting vans designed to carry ten or more passengers, including the driver, from rental car agencies for university business or class activities. This is primarily due to safety considerations and regulations that often require drivers of such large vans to possess a Class B driver’s license. For larger groups needing transportation, the policy redirects towards using multiple smaller vehicles, such as minivans that accommodate 7-8 passengers, to ensure safety and compliance.
Frequently asked questions often arise regarding personal use of UC car rental preferred rates. For active UCLA employees, the answer is yes. You can utilize the UC car rental preferred rates for personal travel. Reservations for personal use can typically be made through the Connexxus portal by logging in with your UC credentials, selecting the personal travel option, and then choosing between Hertz or Enterprise for booking. It’s important to remember that proof of UC employee affiliation will be required when picking up the vehicle. While the original document mentions discounted rates for students via Enterprise, it’s advisable to check the Connexxus portal or UC Travel guidelines for the most current information on student discounts and whether they extend to Thrifty or other providers.
Concerning insurance coverage, especially when a rental period combines business and personal use, Enterprise and National are explicitly mentioned as extending UC’s contract coverage to personal days, provided that a portion of the trip is for business and is being reimbursed by UC. It is recommended to confirm the specifics of insurance coverage with Thrifty directly or through the UC travel portal to understand how personal days are accommodated under their program.
For specific needs like renting cargo vans or specialized trucks, UC’s Commercial Truck Program, accessible via the Connexxus portal and typically associated with Enterprise Commercial Truck Program, should be consulted. For further details and a broader range of FAQs concerning the car rental program, the Car Rental Program FAQs page on the UC Office of the President travel website is a valuable resource.
In summary, Thrifty Car Rental is indeed part of the University of California’s preferred car rental program, offering UC affiliates access to negotiated rates and benefits for business travel. For the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding preferred programs, including specific benefits with Thrifty and for personal use scenarios, always refer to the official UC travel resources and the Connexxus portal. This ensures you are leveraging the best available options and adhering to university policies for car rentals.
