Travel

Rental Vehicles

The university has partnered with Enterprise/National to fulfill vehicle rental reservations. Enterprise provides a branch location at the Purdue University Airport with increased fleet and staff trained to address the unique needs of university travel customers. 

Purdue also has negotiated rates for Hertz Car Rental.

Individuals renting a vehicle are responsible for making sure they are in compliance with university policies before driving. Departments that authorize a student to drive a rental vehicle on university business should make the student aware of their responsibilities and ensure that they are in compliance with university policies before approving the trip or supplying a credit card to reserve a vehicle. Questions should be addressed to the Office of Risk Management.

Click a topic below or continue scrolling for additional information on vehicle rentals.

Rental Rates

Booking with Enterprise using the direct link on the discount code webpage (Purdue log-in credentials are required) or through Concur automatically applies discounted rates for vehicle rentals.

When booking over the phone, a corporate code, also available on the discount code webpage, must be provided to receive discounted rental rates.

Insurance

Do not take insurance if renting a car for business use in the United States with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz Car Rental and National Car Rental as this is already included in the rental cost. Drivers should not select additional insurance during the reservation process.

Additionally, insurance should not be selected for Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental since Purdue is self insured and those extra fees are not reimbursable.

For international travel rentals, contact the rental agency to see what insurance is available through them, then coordinate with Risk Management on what insurance, if any, you need to purchase from the rental agency. If Risk Management advises to purchase insurance coverage directly from the rental agency, it is a reimbursable expense. 

Vehicle Pickup and Return Times

Vehicle pickups and returns must occur during the rental agency's business hours, which vary between locations. 

The Enterprise/National location at the Purdue University Airport will have the following hours beginning May 1:

  • Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

Specialty and Long-term Rentals

Specialty vehicle rentals such as SUVs, trucks and luxury cars are available throughout the U.S. and Canada at discounted rates with Enterprise. Requests for specialty vehicles must be made at least one week prior to the scheduled departure time, and vehicle upgrades need to follow the university's travel reimbursement guidelines.

Long-term rentals may be available:

  • Month-to-month – Contact Enterprise directly at 765-463-4804 for pricing.
  • Extended length – Contact Procurement Services for a vehicle lease quote. Your business office will need to assist with analyzing buying vs. leasing options.

Airport One-Way Rentals

University faculty and staff may request a one-way rental vehicle when traveling from Purdue’s West Lafayette campus to an airport. An airport one-way rental allows a driver to pick up a vehicle from the Purdue University Airport and drop it off at another airport’s rental return location. This option helps avoid airport parking fees. Purdue’s partnership with Enterprise/National allows the university to request one-way vehicle rentals at discounted rates. Enterprise assesses a drop charge for one-way rentals, while National does not. Therefore for cost savings, one-way reservations should only be made through National. With National, Purdue travelers receive unlimited mileage on one-way trips with a full-size sedan or smaller vehicle. One-way reservations for larger vehicles will be charged $0.25 per mile. 

For those traveling from locations outside of the West Lafayette campus but within a 500 mile radius, Hertz provides one-way rentals with insurance at cheaper rates than Enterprise/National.

Requests for one-way rentals must be made at least one week prior to the scheduled departure time.

Accident Procedures

If a vehicular accident occurs, follow the procedures below.

  • Notify local police immediately, and do not leave the accident scene.
  • Move the vehicle off the road and to a safe location, if possible.
  • Contact the Office of Risk Management at 765-494-7695.
  • Reference Risk Management Insurance Program for more details.
  • Exchange information with the other driver(s). 
    • Driver names
    • Home addresses including city, state and zip code
    • Driver’s license numbers and dates of birth
    • Vehicle information including years, makes, models, colors and license plate numbers
  •  Notify your supervisor, department head and/or business office. 

Other Helpful Information

  • Travelers should always inspect the vehicle before driving it off the rental lot and provide a written list of any dents or scratches to the attendant.
  • Enroll free in National Car Rental's Emerald Club to avoid standing at the car rental counter by clicking on "Instant Enrollment".
  • Vehicle rentals for business and personal travel may not be used for driver tests.
  • See Frequently Asked Questions for rental cars for additional information.

Personal Travel

Faculty/Staff

Faculty/staff can reserve a vehicle for personal travel through Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental by entering the appropriate code listed on the discount code webpage (Purdue log-in credentials are required).

Discounted rates will apply when the code is used on the provider website. It is not valid through a third-party reservation system. Drivers must be 21 years or older and are responsible for either providing or purchasing rental car insurance.

Students

Students who are 21 years or older may reserve a rental car for personal use through Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental using code 08BIG10. 

This code will apply a 5% discount when used on the provider website. It is not valid through a third-party reservation system. Drivers are responsible for either providing or purchasing rental car insurance.

Others

Car rental eligibility for additional groups is included on the Car Rental FAQ webpage.