Discrimination - Age

[Flashback]

I'd like to put forward a question to all.. am I one of the only people who feels discrimination against young people can hamper one's business interest?

Let me put things into perspective. I'm the ripe old age of 21, have been in business working for myself for near on 4 years now. During that time I have worked up quite a repore of clients and consider myself to be doing quite well.

Here is my dilemma. I often need a rental car once I fly in, and most rental places will not let you get a car unless you are 25. Some like Budget, will happily rent you one but will charge an extra $25/day.

Now.. sure, in terms of insurance that seems like a viable thing to do - but sometimes when I fly places, and I'm on my own I just can't get a car at all. Even with a perfect driving record (I've never had an accident.. touch wood!), etc. it's still not good enough.

I think they're missing out on a huge market by doing this (especially holiday goers), but for businessman such as myself - I feel in a way it's almost a form of discrimination. YMMV.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Mal]

Have a look at joining Hertz #1 Gold (or perhaps the "frequent renter" clubs of Avis et.al if they let you).

https://www.hertz.com.au/rentacar/e...erview.jsp&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_4_3_1

That should help you get around the 25 yr limit.

For example, renting from BNE airport:

Age Restrictions and Exceptions

The minimum rental age is 25.

AGE: 25 Years – Groups A B C D E F H T U

Gold Renters Age: 21 Groups A B C D E H U

AAA members (NRMA, RACWA, RACV, AANT, RACQ, and RACT) under 25 can rent Groups A-U, however, an age surcharge

of AUD $27.50 per day applies to those 21-24 years. Group F and 4wd's etc - minimum age is 25.

AAA members must show valid membership identification.

 

[Dave Noble]

The problem with #1 Club iirc , is that in most cases Hertz requires a min age of 25 in order to join #1 Club Gold unless you are joining through a company/society which has an agreement with Hertz for young drivers to join

I understand why they either don't rent or charge quite a premium due to the generally statistically higher likelihood of the person having an accident

Dave

 

[Flashback]

Thanks Mal - I will certainly look into that. I've tried using my 'business' as an excuse before to no avail, so would be interesting to see how that goes.

Would it matter that I only rent once, maybe twice a year?

Also, I'd still appreciate people's comments on my above rant... is it just because someone of my age, doing business at that level is just an exception to the norm? Does anyone else think it's discouring young people to go out into the world, and try to make a difference?

 

[Dave Noble]

How often you rent makes no difference; #1 Gold does speed your way through the airport.

Ignore my earlier comment; it seems that the minimum age is now 21 to join #1 Club Gold and this will allow you easy renting. Given this situation , it seems that they are making it reasonably easy for 21 y/os to rent cars

Dave

 

[Flashback]

It seems that the minimum age is now 21 to join #1 Club Gold and this will allow you easy renting. Given this situation , it seems that they are making it reasonably easy for 21 y/os to rent cars

Which looks like what I was trying to achieve a few months earlier, as it's my guess that lowering the age to 21* (conditions apply) is saying.. "well, if you're over here on business.. then that's different, we're happy to accommodate you"

 

[Mal]

Also, I'd still appreciate people's comments on my above rant... is it just because someone of my age, doing business at that level is just an exception to the norm? Does anyone else think it's discouring young people to go out into the world, and try to make a difference?

Discrimination happens at different times and for different reasons.

When I was 21, I was looked at funnily at times when for example renting a hotel room.

Nowdays, I get looked at funnily sometimes when going to a nightclub.

Different discrimination, different times

 

[flyer4703]

When I started my business at 17 it was very difficult to be taken seriously by older business people.

As I got older and established continuing business relationships things improved and I was treated as any other business person would have been.

Now that I am seen as old at 47 :shock: I am finding it difficult to be taken seriously again, the hip young people who work in my industry don't understand how somebody as old as their father could possibly understand what they are doing.

So I guess age discrimination is out there and both younger and older people are victims of it

Good luck with your business.

 

[turtlemichael]

I don't believe that this is discrimination or at least, I think it's justifiable discrimination. Insurance premia are based on probabilities and there is statistically a higher probability that a young person will have an accident than an older person. A good driving record may reduce the individual premium but it's basis is still age. It's hard to impossible for the very old to get insurance for the same reason.

Discrimination occurs when all things are equal and a class is disadvantaged for no valid reason. As for it being a discouragement, maybe it is. Similarly, banks are less likely to give you a loan because of your youth unless you have an asset rich guarantor. But if you maintain your good driving record (and establish your business credentials) you'll reap the reward in a few years. Good luck in the meantime and in the future.

 

[Flashback]

Thanks to all for your kind words - I know I may never make it up to ranks such as CIO/CEO, etc. as some other frequenters on this forum, but so long as I'm doing what I enjoy and what makes me happy - that's more than enough for me

Take care!

 

[Soundguy]

Thought about getting a drivers licence from overseas.... perhaps when you travel to an Asian country? For example I know someone who has an Indian motorbike licence but it's just a plastic cards that says 'drivers licence' & has a photo & expiry date etc. You could rent a car with one of these & I suspect the birth date could be, er selected; shows how crazy the system is actually.

Hmm.... I guess you could get in some poo if you had an accident though , might be a bad idea. Bit late at night for me....

 

[Febs]

Good on you Flashware. You certainly sound like you've got your head screwed on right.

Personally, like turtlemichael I wouldn't go so far as to call it discrimination, however, it's interesting that if you're a business traveller with a large, well-known company, they'll often see you as less of a risk, even if you are <25...but in your situation - nope.

I'm 23, and have hired cars when interstate at incredibly good (corporate) rates, with excess reduction etc... No questions about my age (I was 22 when I last hired a car in Australia), because it's all been booked through work.

For example - I just did a quote through budget.com.au for dad (over 50, excellent driving history). $330 for a Magna/Falcadore for 4 days, with excess reduction to ~$350. Dug up an old receipt from Budget, and earlier this year I paid $214 for 5 days in the same car, with excess reduction to $500!

(Going to see if I can get him my price tomorrow )

Best of luck with the business and future car-hiring.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[stryker]

Seems to me this board and a number of other things in life are trying to be overly influenced by people with an average age of 9 and a half.

I have nothing against such people, but they need to be aware that more experienced and (wiser?) people are on to it.