There is a fee to join the EC, EC discounts aren't necessarily "complimentary".
Assume National changes the screen. Instead of a code you have to spell it out the rate class you qualify for AAA, AARP, ABC Corp employee, Disney AP holder.... Is the contract valid if you ask for a rate class you're not entitled to? How is it any different if you list an incorrect code? The OP may have made a typo but every other poster either knew they didn't qualify for the code, or didn't care. How you can represent you're entitled to use a specific discount code if you don't have the slightest idea what that code represents.
Other posters have you the verbiage that allows National to correct the rate.
Sorry but there isn't any doubt this isn't a public code nor is there any doubt National has the right to "correct the mistake" customers make with the code. If this was a public code it would be listed somewhere. National website, newspaper ad, magazine ad....I'll agree with the posters who think you'll get away with it as long as they don't have a claim. It's probably not worth the time it would take for National to go through the reservations.
Suppose a 21 year old driver makes a "typo" and lists the wrong DOB. Is there any doubt the car rental company can and will correct the typo and charge the renter the appropriate underage charge. I'm not sure why posters seem to think a "typo excuse" requires National to honor the wrong rate.
Assume National changes the screen. Instead of a code you have to spell it out the rate class you qualify for AAA, AARP, ABC Corp employee, Disney AP holder.... Is the contract valid if you ask for a rate class you're not entitled to? How is it any different if you list an incorrect code? The OP may have made a typo but every other poster either knew they didn't qualify for the code, or didn't care. How you can represent you're entitled to use a specific discount code if you don't have the slightest idea what that code represents.
Other posters have you the verbiage that allows National to correct the rate.
Sorry but there isn't any doubt this isn't a public code nor is there any doubt National has the right to "correct the mistake" customers make with the code. If this was a public code it would be listed somewhere. National website, newspaper ad, magazine ad....I'll agree with the posters who think you'll get away with it as long as they don't have a claim. It's probably not worth the time it would take for National to go through the reservations.
Suppose a 21 year old driver makes a "typo" and lists the wrong DOB. Is there any doubt the car rental company can and will correct the typo and charge the renter the appropriate underage charge. I'm not sure why posters seem to think a "typo excuse" requires National to honor the wrong rate.
I am not being fecicious - so in case it reads wrong, I am sincere...
Where do I verify my eligibility for a rate and acceptance when I click? The OP put in a wrong number and that is how she got this rate. She had no reasonable expectation she put in a wrong rate.
Also, complementary means free - fine. ALL of the codes are FREE aren't they? There is no charge to use a code so that definition doesn't make sense.
I agree that people should be aware of the possible risks but I don't actually agree that these necessarily are risks. If I enter into a binding contract both sides have to agree to terms - they have to provide those terms for me to agree with them. If there is verbage in the terms that says I verify that I am eligible to use the rate I reserved then yes they have notified me. But if they don't make me agree by clicking, checking or signing that I am eligible for the rate then it is THEIR responsibility to inform me of that before I pull of the lot with their car.