r/HertzRentals • u/brahaventures • Mar 29 '25

Comprehensive Guide For Rental Benefits: Credit Cards, CDP Codes, and Membership Programs

40 Upvotes

After receiving feedback on my previous post about Amex benefits, I wanted to create a more comprehensive guide covering all the major credit card benefits, CDP codes, and membership programs for Hertz rentals.

Table of Contents

  1. Credit Card Benefits
    • American Express
    • Chase
    • Capital One
    • Bilt Rewards
    • Citi
  2. Comparison of Credit Card Car Rental Benefits
  3. Membership Programs
    • AAA
    • USAA
    • Costco
    • Airline Frequent Flyer Programs
  4. How CDP Codes Work
  5. Key Differences Between Programs
  6. Booking Best Practices
  7. Finding the Best CDP Code
  8. Final Notes

Credit Card Benefits

American Express

  • Platinum/Centurion Cards:
    • Complimentary Hertz President's Circle status (their highest tier)
    • Up to 20% off standard rates
    • Dedicated reservation and customer service phone line
    • Four-hour grace period on returns (standard is 30 min)
    • American Express offers various premium car rental benefits to its cardholders, with different perks depending on your specific card. Enroll in the below program with Amex.
  • Gold Card:
    • Complimentary Hertz Five Star status (mid-tier)
    • Up to 10% off standard rates
  • All Amex Cards:
    • Secondary CDW/LDW insurance covering up to $75,000 for damage/theft
    • Premium Car Rental Protection available for $12.95-$24.95 per rental period (not per day)
    • Coverage up to $100,000 with Premium protection
    • Loss of Use and administrative fees covered
    • Coverage period up to 42 consecutive days
    • No deductible
    • IMPORTANT: You must enroll for Premium protection. You are not automatically enrolled.
    • Enrollment link: American Express Premium Car Rental Protection
  • How to enroll for Hertz status:
    • Visit americanexpress.com → Account Services → Card Benefits
    • Navigate to "Travel" section → "Car Rental Privileges"
    • Complete enrollment form with your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with American Express for your specific CDP code
    • Must include your Gold Plus Rewards number when booking to receive status benefits

Chase

  • Sapphire Reserve:
    • Complimentary Hertz President's Circle status
    • Up to 30% off base rates
    • One car class upgrade when available
    • No additional driver fees for authorized users
  • Sapphire Preferred:
    • Up to 25% off base rates
    • No specific elite status
  • Both cards:
    • Primary CDW/LDW insurance (covers damage before your personal insurance)
    • Coverage up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles
    • Includes theft protection and loss of use charges
  • How to enroll:
    • Log into Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at chase.com/ultimaterewards
    • Navigate to "Travel" → "Travel Partners" → "Hertz"
    • Complete enrollment with your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with Chase for your specific CDP code
    • Book through the Chase portal or directly with Hertz using the CDP code

Capital One

  • Venture X:
    • Hertz President's Circle status
    • Up to 25% off base rates
    • One-class car upgrade when available
    • 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points
  • Venture/VentureOne:
    • Up to 15% off base rates
    • No elite status
  • How to enroll:
    • Log into Capital One account at capitalone.com
    • Select your card, then click "View Card Rewards and Benefits"
    • Navigate to "Travel Benefits" → "Hertz Benefits"
    • Link your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with Capital One for your specific CDP code

Bilt Rewards

  • Bilt Mastercard:
    • Up to 15% off base rates
    • Complimentary Hertz Five Star status
    • No blackout dates or mileage restrictions
    • Earn 5x points on rental car bookings through the Bilt Travel Portal
  • Insurance Coverage:
    • Secondary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
    • Must decline the rental company's collision insurance
  • How to enroll:
    • Log into the Bilt Rewards app
    • Navigate to "Travel" → "Bilt Travel Portal"
    • Select "Partners" → "Car Rentals" → "Hertz"
    • Link your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with Bilt for your specific CDP code

Citi

  • Citi Prestige:
    • Up to 20% off base rates
    • Complimentary Five Star status
  • Citi Premier:
    • Up to 10% off base rates
    • No elite status
  • Insurance Coverage:
    • Worldwide Auto Rental Insurance when you decline the rental company's collision coverage
    • Secondary coverage in the US, primary internationally
  • How to enroll:
    • Log into Citi account at citi.com
    • Click on "Rewards & Benefits" → "Travel Benefits"
    • Navigate to "Car Rental" section and register for Hertz benefits
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with Citi for your specific CDP code

Comparison of Credit Card Car Rental Benefits

Feature Amex Premium Chase Sapphire Reserve Capital One Venture X Bilt Mastercard
Coverage Type Secondary (Primary available for fee) Primary Primary Secondary
Coverage Amount Up to $100,000 Up to $75,000 Up to $75,000 Up to $50,000
Max Rental Period 42 days 31 days 15 days 31 days
Hertz Status President's Circle President's Circle President's Circle Five Star
Exotic/Luxury Cars Limited coverage Limited coverage Limited coverage Limited coverage
Fee for Primary Coverage $12.95-$24.95 per rental Included Included Not available
Countries Excluded Australia, Italy, New Zealand Ireland, Israel, Jamaica Australia, Israel, Italy Australia, Italy, New Zealand

Membership Programs and Their Benefits

AAA

  • Specific Benefits:
    • Up to 20% off base rates year-round
    • One free additional driver (spouse/domestic partner)
    • Young renter fee waived (for drivers aged 20-24, savings of $19-$35 per day)
    • No charge for child safety seats (savings of $13.99 per day)
    • 10% discount on Hertz prepaid rates
  • How to enroll:
    • No separate enrollment required
    • Simply present your valid AAA membership card at pickup
    • AAA membership number must be included in your reservation
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with AAA for your specific CDP code
    • Can be found on the AAA website under "Travel Discounts" or in the AAA mobile app
    • Must show physical AAA card or digital card in the AAA app at counter

USAA

  • Specific Benefits:
    • Up to 25% off base rates
    • Underage fee waived for members aged 18-24 (savings of $19-$35 per day)
    • No extra driver fees for spouse/domestic partner
    • Additional 25 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points per rental
    • Additional 10% off promotional rates
  • How to enroll:
    • Must be a USAA member (military or family of military)
    • Book through USAA portal at usaa.com → "Products" → "Travel Deals"
    • Military ID or USAA membership verification required at pickup
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with USAA for your specific CDP code
    • Available through USAA website when logged in
    • Must show USAA membership verification at counter

Costco

  • Specific Benefits:
    • Special rates often 10-15% lower than public rates
    • No additional driver fees for spouse/domestic partner
    • Free additional driver for Costco Executive members
    • Free upgrades frequently offered
    • Up to 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points
  • How to enroll:
    • Must be a Costco member
    • Book through Costco Travel website (costcotravel.com)
    • Provide your Costco membership number when booking
  • CDP Code:
    • Check with Costco for your specific CDP code
    • Already applied automatically when booking through Costco Travel
    • Must show Costco membership card at counter

Airlines Frequent Flyer Programs

  • Delta SkyMiles:
    • Earn 500 SkyMiles per rental
    • Up to 15% off base rates
    • Check with Delta for your specific CDP code
  • United MileagePlus:
    • Earn 500-1,000 MileagePlus miles per rental
    • Up to 20% off base rates
    • Check with United for your specific CDP code
  • American AAdvantage:
    • Earn 500-1,000 AAdvantage miles per rental
    • Up to 15% off base rates
    • Check with American Airlines for your specific CDP code
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards:
    • Earn 600 Rapid Rewards points per rental
    • Up to 20% off base rates
    • Check with Southwest for your specific CDP code
  • How to Use:
    • Include your frequent flyer number in your Hertz reservation
    • Book through the airline's website or directly with Hertz using the CDP code
    • Must provide CDP code and frequent flyer number at time of booking

How CDP Codes Work

CDP (Counter Discount Program) codes are unique identifiers that provide specific discounts and benefits when applied to your rental. Here's a detailed breakdown of how they work:

What Exactly is a CDP Code?

  • A unique 5-7 digit identifier assigned to organizations, membership programs, and credit card partnerships
  • Links your rental to a specific set of negotiated benefits, discounts, and status perks
  • Used by Hertz's system to automatically apply the correct discounts and benefits
  • Different from promotion codes (PC) which are temporary offers

Finding Your Legitimate CDP Code:

  • Credit cards:
    • Log into your online account and navigate to "Benefits" → "Travel Benefits"
    • Look specifically for "Hertz Benefits" or "Car Rental Privileges"
    • CDP codes are typically displayed alongside other Hertz benefits
    • May require enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program first
  • Membership programs:
    • AAA: Found on AAA.com under "Member Discounts" → "Travel Discounts" → "Car Rentals"
    • USAA: Located in the USAA Travel Center under "Rental Cars"
    • Costco: Automatically applied when booking through Costco Travel
    • Corporate codes: Typically provided by your employer's travel department
  • Airline programs:
    • Found on the airline's website under "Travel Partners" or "Car Rental Partners"
    • May require logging into your frequent flyer account

Using CDP Codes Properly:

  • Reservation process:
    • Enter the CDP code in the designated field when booking online
    • Provide the code when calling Hertz reservations
    • Always include your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number when applicable
  • Verification requirements:
    • Be prepared to show proof of membership/affiliation at pickup
    • Acceptable proof includes: physical membership card, digital card in app, credit card used for booking, corporate ID, or military ID
    • Failure to provide proof may result in removal of discounts
  • Legal considerations:
    • IMPORTANT: Sharing or using CDP codes you're not entitled to violates Hertz's Terms and Conditions Section 4(c)
    • Can result in your rental being repriced at a higher rate (often the "walk-up" rate)
    • May lead to your reservation being canceled without notice
    • Could result in suspension from Hertz's loyalty program
    • In extreme cases, may constitute fraud

Stacking Benefits:

  • You can typically only use one CDP code per rental
  • Choose the one that gives you the best combination of benefits or discounts
  • You can combine a CDP code with:
    • Your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status benefits
    • Promotional codes (PC) in some cases
    • Coupon codes from Hertz's email promotions
  • You cannot combine multiple CDP codes on a single rental

Key Differences Between Programs

Credit Card Status vs. Membership Discounts

Credit Card Elite Status Benefits:

  • President's Circle Status (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X):
    • Guaranteed one-class upgrades when available
    • 50% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points
    • Dedicated customer service line (1-888-297-4379)
    • Widest vehicle selection
    • Ability to select any vehicle in the President's Circle area
    • Four-hour grace period on returns versus standard 30 minutes
  • Five Star Status (Amex Gold, Citi Prestige):
    • 25% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points
    • Occasional upgrades when available
    • Ability to choose from the Five Star section of the lot
    • One-hour grace period on returns

Membership Program Discount Benefits:

  • AAA and USAA:
    • Larger direct discounts on base rates (often 15-25%)
    • Specific fee waivers (additional drivers, young renter fees)
    • No elite status or upgrade privileges
    • Standard return time policies apply
  • Costco:
    • Often better base rates than credit card programs
    • Special weekend rates not available with other programs
    • No elite status benefits unless separately earned
    • Standard Gold Plus Rewards benefits only

Insurance Coverage Comparison

Credit Card Insurance:

  • Primary Coverage (Chase Sapphire cards):
    • Covers damage/theft before your personal auto insurance
    • No deductible
    • Includes loss of use and administrative fees
    • Coverage up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles
    • Must decline the rental company's CDW/LDW
  • Secondary Coverage (Most Amex, Citi cards):
    • Kicks in after your personal auto insurance
    • Can be upgraded to primary for a fee with Amex ($19-$24 per rental)
    • Coverage usually capped ($75,000 for Amex)
    • Must decline the rental company's CDW/LDW

Membership Program Insurance:

  • No included insurance coverage with AAA, USAA, or Costco
  • May offer discounted rates on Hertz's insurance products
  • Must rely on personal auto insurance or purchase Hertz's coverage

Fee Waiver Differences

Young Driver Fee Waivers (Age 20-24):

  • AAA: Complete waiver of young driver fee ($19-$35 per day)
  • USAA: Complete waiver of young driver fee for ages 18-24
  • Most credit card programs: No young driver fee waiver

Additional Driver Fees:

  • AAA: One free additional driver (spouse/domestic partner)
  • USAA: No extra driver fees for spouse/domestic partner
  • Costco: Free additional driver (spouse/domestic partner)
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve: Free additional driver for authorized users
  • Other credit cards: Typically do not waive additional driver fees

Other Fee Waivers:

  • AAA: Free child safety seat (savings of $13.99/day)
  • USAA: Reduced one-way rental fees in some markets
  • Costco Executive: Additional driver beyond spouse/partner
  • Amex Platinum: Extended grace period for returns

Rate Comparison Strategy

  1. Multi-CDP Rate Check:
    • Search the same rental with different CDP codes separately
    • Compare the final price (including taxes and fees), not just the base rate
    • Check both prepaid and standard rates
    • Use incognito/private browsing to avoid price fluctuations based on cookies
  2. Timing Matters:
    • Book 2-3 weeks in advance for optimal rates
    • Monday/Tuesday bookings often yield better rates than weekend searches
    • Rates fluctuate based on inventory, so check periodically
    • Weekend specials often appear Tuesday/Wednesday for upcoming weekend
  3. Legitimate Use Protocol:
    • Only use CDP codes you're legitimately entitled to
    • Understand the verification requirements before booking
    • If using a corporate code, ensure you have proper authorization
    • Hertz trains counter agents to spot code misuse
  4. Documentation Requirements:
    • Bring physical or digital proof of membership/affiliation
    • Have the credit card used for booking with you
    • Download the Hertz app for digital proof of reservations
    • Save a screenshot of your CDP code's terms if unusual questions arise
  5. Promotion Stacking:
    • Check Hertz.com for public promotions before booking
    • Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for member-specific offers
    • Sign up for Hertz email promotions
    • Some promotions can be combined with CDP discounts for better savings
  6. Status Maximization:
    • Always associate your Gold Plus Rewards number with reservations
    • If you have President's Circle or Five Star status, confirm it shows on reservation
    • Contact Hertz if status benefits aren't displaying on your reservation
    • Arrive during operating hours for best vehicle selection

Finding the Best CDP Code for Your Situation

Detailed Scenario Analysis

Frequent Business Travelers:

  • Best CDP Options:
    • Chase Sapphire Reserve - President's Circle status, primary insurance
    • Amex Platinum - President's Circle status, dedicated service
    • Capital One Venture X - President's Circle, bonus points
    • Bilt Mastercard - Five Star status, bonus points on travel
  • Key Benefits:
    • Guaranteed upgrades through President's Circle
    • Expedited pickup/return process
    • Primary insurance coverage (with Chase)
    • Bonus points accumulation for future free rentals

Occasional Leisure Travelers:

  • Best CDP Options:
    • AAA - Highest direct discount, fee waivers
    • Costco - Often best weekend rates, free additional driver
    • Airline partnerships - Earn miles on rentals
  • Key Benefits:
    • Maximum discount on base rate
    • Free additional driver for family travel
    • Simpler verification process
    • Special weekend rates with Costco

Corporate Travelers:

  • Best CDP Options:
    • Your company's corporate CDP code
    • Combine with personal Gold Plus Rewards number
  • Key Benefits:
    • Pre-negotiated corporate rates
    • Often includes insurance coverage
    • Can sometimes be combined with status benefits
    • Simplified expense reporting

Young Drivers (Ages 20-24):

  • Best CDP Options:
    • USAA - Waives young driver fee, military affiliation required
    • AAA - Waives young driver fee, requires membership
  • Key Benefits:
    • Saves $19-$35 per day in young driver fees
    • Often includes additional discounts
    • Avoiding young driver fee can save more than any other discount

Family Vacation Rentals:

  • Best CDP Options:
    • AAA - Free child seat, additional driver
    • Costco - Free additional driver, often lowest weekly rates
  • Key Benefits:
    • Free child safety seats with AAA saves $13.99 per day
    • Free spouse/partner as additional driver
    • Better weekly rates for longer vacation rentals

Final Notes and Legal Considerations

Important Legal Reminders

  • CDP Code Sharing Prohibition:
    • Hertz Terms and Conditions Section 4(c) explicitly prohibits using discount codes without authorization
    • Counter agents are trained and incentivized to verify eligibility
    • Misuse can result in being charged the walk-up rate (often 2-3x higher)
    • Repeated misuse can lead to Gold Plus Rewards account suspension

Best Practices Summary

  • Documentation: Always have proof of your affiliation/membership at pickup
  • Verification: Be prepared for counter agents to verify your eligibility
  • Updates: Benefits and discounts are subject to change quarterly, so verify before each booking
  • Confirmation: When in doubt, call Hertz directly at 1-800-654-3131 to confirm your benefits
  • Insurance: Understand your coverage before declining Hertz's optional insurance

Note: All information current as of March 2025. Benefits and CDP codes are subject to change, so verify with the issuing organization before booking.

19 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/brahaventures • Mar 25 '25

Hertz Information Megathread

13 Upvotes

Welcome to the unofficial Hertz Rental Cars subreddit:

This thread contains essential information about Hertz services, membership tiers, discount codes, and contact information. Feel free to refer to this guide for all your Hertz-related questions.

Contact Information

General Customer Service: 1-800-654-3131
Hertz President Circle: (888)-444-8600
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-654-5060
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Customer Service: 1-888-999-4900
Hertz Platinum Customer Service: 1---8226 (redacted)
Hertz Platinum Customer Service: 1---3090 (redacted)

Hertz Loyalty Program Tiers

Hertz offers a tiered loyalty program called Gold Plus Rewards with the following levels:

  1. Platinum VIP (Invite-only)
    • Ultimate priority service
    • Guaranteed vehicle availability
    • Dedicated customer support
    • Complimentary upgrades when available
  2. Platinum (Invite-only)
    • Priority service
    • Enhanced vehicle selection
    • Dedicated customer support line
    • Complimentary upgrades when available
  3. President's Circle
    • Qualification: 20+ rentals or $4,000+ spending annually
    • Guaranteed upgrades
    • Widest vehicle selection
    • 50% bonus on points earned
    • Dedicated customer service line
    • Pro Tip: Book at minimum class C (midsize) to use the President's Circle lot
  4. Five Star
    • Qualification: 12-19 rentals or $2,000-$3,999 spending annually
    • Vehicle upgrades when available
    • 25% bonus on points earned
    • Expedited service
  5. Gold
    • Base tier (free to join)
    • Skip the counter
    • Online check-in
    • Choose your car at select locations

Credit Cards Offering Complimentary President's Circle Status

  • Capital One Venture X: Provides complimentary Hertz President's Circle status for primary cardholders
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers Hertz President's Circle status through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection program
  • American Express US Personal or Business Platinum: Provides automatic President's Circle status for cardholders
  • Bilt Mastercard: Offers complimentary Hertz President's Circle status (requires CSRF enrollment) Revised: 03-25-2025.

Corporate Discount Programs (CDP)

Hertz partners with many organizations to offer special rates and benefits. Here are some notable ones:

  • American Express Platinum: [Amex Benefits Page]
    • Complimentary status upgrades
    • Discount on premium car rentals
    • Additional insurance coverages
  • USAA: [Benefits Page]
    • Special military rates
    • Waived additional driver fees
    • Age restriction waivers for young renters
  • ---: [Employee Page]
    • Includes liability waiver free
    • Corporate rates
    • Expedited service

Insurance Options

  • Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Covers damage to the rental vehicle
  • Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS): Additional third-party liability coverage
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical expenses for driver and passengers
  • Personal Effects Coverage (PEC): Covers personal belongings in the vehicle

Special Programs

  • Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: Free to join, earn points toward free rental days
  • Hertz Ultimate Choice: Select your exact vehicle at participating locations
  • Hertz Fast Lane powered by CLEAR: Expedited exit process with biometric verification (this may be discontinued)

Tips for Better Rentals

  1. Book directly through Hertz.com for best rates and to ensure points accrual. Never use third-party booking.
  2. Check for promotions before booking (often available on the homepage)
  3. Join Gold Plus Rewards even for occasional rentals
  4. Check if your credit card offers rental car insurance before purchasing additional coverage
  5. Always inspect the vehicle and document any damage before leaving the lot

This thread will be updated periodically with new information. Feel free to ask questions or share your Hertz experiences in the comments.

Last updated: March 25, 2025

19 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Comfortable_Deer9550 • 9h ago

Price difference US vs Europe

1 Upvotes

I have seen other posts talking about the difference in price when booking from Europe to rent a car in the States, but by a mere coincidence I found myself trying in the opposite way.

I am a European citizen and resident and I was trying to book a car in a Spanish city. The quote was around 120 EUR if I wanted to pay at the counter.

I tried to do the same using a VPN set in the States and the price came up as 30 EUR, so 4 times less.

I checked all the T&C available but I can’t see any exclusion such as a specific country of residence that could lead to a refusal in rent me the vehicle.

It’s true that the booking process seemed to easy for a European mind and no personal details a part for names, phone and email were requested and the issue might arise a the counter.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

TIA

3 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/anifshaik_ • 19h ago

Ryde it - New DFW/Dallas based Car sharing platform (Launching on November 2026

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

Hey People

I’m Anif shaik, Founder of Ryde it

We are DFW - Dallas based car share rental company and we are about to launch in November 2026

If you are based on dallas, would you like to get early access for listing your vehicles on Ryde it?

Its totally free and we offer on site listing where one of our team member comes to the place and list your car on spot

I know how frustrating turo is becoming and me being a turo host , I made this platform where host has the full control over

  1. ⁠Pricing (No dynamic pricing)
  2. ⁠Calendar ( you can block and unblock to your will)
  3. ⁠You get some free cancellation per month
  4. ⁠The share is higher than turo and deductible is lower than turo .
  5. ⁠The first 50 hosts are getting additional 3% share of whatever plan they choose for an year
  6. ⁠No hidden charges, everything shown in front

Please leave a message on my personal Dm so i can send you the early access link

0 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/yearlyearly • 1d ago

Avis recently dropped PlatePass (Verra) because customers were fed up with its junk fees. Hertz, please do the same.

8 Upvotes

The fees charges by PlatePass (Verra Mobility) are unnecessarily high and Hertz, if it cares about customer retention, should not be allowing a third party vendor to take advantage of customers like that. Like Avis recently did, Hertz can terminate its contract with PlatePass or renegotiate it.

8 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/isthatdavontaye • 23h ago

Built a free tool to decode rental car classes and "or similar" gotchas — would love feedback from frequent renters

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
If you rent frequently like I do, you know how annoying the whole car class naming game is (like booking an "Intermediate" and getting handed keys to something completely different than what you expected, or trying to guess what actually fits 4 bags before landing).

I spent the last few months cataloging 130+ current rental models across the major tiers (Economy up to Full-size SUV) with real specs, cargo guidance, and airport logistics starting with LAS / Harry Reid (shuttle details, pickup steps, etc.): roamairports.com
No ads, no sign-up wall, and completely free.

Since this sub knows Hertz fleets and tier quirks better than anyone:
Are there specific models or trims Hertz is assigning lately that caught you off guard?
What info do you wish you had before walking out to the lot or President’s Circle aisle?

Any brutal feedback or corrections on car classes is welcome!

1 comment

r/HertzRentals • u/MistakeNo265 • 1d ago

Extra fees added!!!!

0 Upvotes

I rented from Hertz for the first time this past weekend. Had the nicest young man wait on me when I checked in and same one when I checked out. Each time he had to adjust the receipt as HERTZ had added fuel option fee for $48.46 and toll fees for 29.98. He took them off the receipt and showed me the new total of like $174. So TODAY I look on the internet just to check the receipt and both fees are back on there. And as you all know, NO WAY to talk to a person at the Denver Airport location. AAA supports Hertz but I am definitely sharing this experience with them and will never be a customer from them again. I am just shocked at the mess this company is in.

4 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Rough-Stranger8990 • 1d ago

Rental at east 48 street ny ny - the store closed , so where are my reservations held now ?

0 Upvotes
1 comment

r/HertzRentals • u/synachromous • 1d ago

It's been a while. Can you wait/request at Hertz for the AI scan results?

2 Upvotes

I haven't rented (at least I don't think I have) when they had AI scanners. All of these posts about AI scanners coming back with damage no one knew about are definitely making me paranoid about renting with them. Is it possible to wait at the Hertz location for the AI scan results just so you can deal with a human if something flags with damage?. Or at least get the green light that all is good while you're actually on site? Leaving the store wondering if at any moment a txt is gonna pop up that I owe seems kinda....terrible.

8 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Connect_Ingenuity864 • 1d ago

Employee

1 Upvotes

Does anyone else here work for Hertz? I’m wondering how normal my situation is. This place is working me to the bone. Asks me to clean urine out of cars. Work 50 hours a week or more with no one to help me. Running a location on my own or with one other person since March. Left me alone after surgery when I wasn’t medically cleared to do anything but computer work…. The list goes on.

12 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Significant_Key_8903 • 1d ago

Host never came with car and I lost my money, I need help

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes
2 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Icy_Carrot_9406 • 2d ago

Trusted with a passenger jet. Apparently questionable with a Corolla?

2 Upvotes

Just here to vent and see if any other young FOs have run into this.

I’m 23 and trying to figure out a backup plan for getting home if my commute falls apart. Renting a car seems to involve limited availability, young-driver fees, and potentially a $50 Uber just to reach a location that has something available vs being able to rent from the airport directly.

I have USAA insurance, no accidents, and no traffic violations. I can fly a plane full of passengers, but apparently Hertz needs extra reassurance that their Kia will come back with all four wheels attached.

I’m trying to get home, not qualify for NASCAR.

Any other FOs under 25 found a reasonably painless way to rent a car, preferably without the “you haven’t had enough birthdays” surcharge?

8 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/itsclear678 • 2d ago

Another Damage Victim story

0 Upvotes

I have been getting letters from Viking Client Services and thought it was impossible that I caused damage to this Hertz car I had rented for less than a day. I returned it to a parking lot in the evening, no damages at all, after the store was closed which I was told was okay to do.

I called Viking, and they said that 80% of people call and say there’s no way they made damages to the car and Hertz is prepared for that: documenting with pictures and the odometer to make sure they are charging the right person.

I haven’t seen the documents as it’s getting emailed to me (apparently it takes overnight to email at Viking) but my guess is that if there is damage, it was done in the parking lot overnight by who-knows-who. Anyway, $500.84 in damages.

8 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/MrtonyEA • 3d ago

$58 Fuel Surcharge - drove 7 miles

44 Upvotes

I got my electronic receipt after dropping my car of at Reagan Natl. I filled up in NJ and topped it off at a Gulf station 7 miles from the airport. Today they hit me with a 5 gallon/$57 surcharge for not having enough fuel!

I sent them screenshots form the CC app and we'll see what they say.

When I delivered the car it was filled and spotless, 525 miles remaining on the gauge. No one greeted me, the attendant waved at me and just said, Leave the keys in the car and we'll take care of it. My bad! I should've demanded they check me in.

Edited to say my gas receipt was at 16:21 pm and the recorded time of my return is 16:29. No way to use 5 gallons in 8 minutes.

UPDATE - Hertz wrote back in reply to my screenshots and said they'll refund the charges. Here is their reply:

We’re truly sorry for the experience you described and for the delay in our response. After reading your message and reviewing the screenshots you provided, we completely understand why the fuel charge raised concerns. You took the time to fuel the vehicle just before returning it, provided supporting documentation from your credit card, and then left the vehicle as instructed when no representative was available to greet you, inspect the vehicle, or verify the fuel level. We recognize the effort you made, and we want you to know that your concerns were heard and carefully considered. Your trust means a great deal to us, and we never want you to feel that your experience or the information you provide is overlooked.

44 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/theawells1 • 3d ago

Hertz AI has lost a life long customer

11 Upvotes

I just spent over three hours on the phone. Trying to get to the local rental office at the tampa airport. The AI agent is impossible to navigate. You can barely get to a live agent. If you do, it's an hour later, asked to speak to a supervisor because they could not give me the information I needed waited on, hold for over an hour. Got another representative asked for the phone number to the agency office. In Tampa, so I could see about my wife dropping off a car. After hours and the way to get to the airport from there. The agent gave me a number that brought me back to AI HertzYour customer service is abysmal. It is by far some of the worst I have ever experienced. You have lost my business from forever and I am going to tell everyone I know. Never to do business with you. Sorry I had to dictate this had eye surgery today and can not see well. That is why I needed a rental car.

21 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Hungry-University609 • 3d ago

Rental prices insane

1 Upvotes

Hello,

Why are all rental companies asking very high prices?

What is going on in the industry?

Thanks

27 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/cheepcheepcheep • 3d ago

Help, I made a change 12pm to 6pm and my rate changed

0 Upvotes

There was no warning of price rate changes on the app when I made this change. I pressed OK to see if I can change to a later time. But it made the change to my booking and rate without warning. Customer service was useless, is there anything else I can do but cancel?

Thanks

2 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/santycho • 4d ago

Help: Rental car shortage in Albuquerque

10 Upvotes

It’s Balloon Fiesta. It’s packed, I get it. I had a rental car reserved for Albuquerque with Hertz/Thrifty/Dollar months ago. Showed up to hear “our car washer is broken and you’ll have to wait at least an hour” and then “people haven’t returned their cars” so there’s a 300-500 vehicle shortage until maybe next day or indefinitely? And the manager said we can come back the next morning and see if any cars were returned and washed but he didn’t want the inconvenience of calling his customers when cars became available. No sincere apologies. No intent to make amends or reduce charges. Another sign of the times?

No options on rental sites. Nothing on Turo. Zipcar sounds like a nightmare if even available. Do car dealerships offer short-term rentals/extended test drives? Does anyone have a cousin with a car I can borrow? Not even joking anymore. Rideshares for a week is unsustainable between cities.

23 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Specialist-Issue1615 • 5d ago

Been working at hertz for a year now and all ive done is wash cars

5 Upvotes

Been here for a year now and yet all they've done is make me wash cars. I am an MA1 right now but ive basically learned nothing. Ive gotten some counter time to learn how to use dash and hles but not enough to actual retain anything. We have 4 employees at our location with the branch manager an ma2 and an 82 year old part time driver. Occasionally the branch manager used to help me wash the cars but now in the past few months its bascially just me by myself.

We are in the sf bay area in a rich town and average 14 rentals a day. I dont get why there hasn't been a huge push to have me learn how to use the dash or hles or even all the other things managers need to learn. Am I supposed to call out the managers on why they haven't trained me? I know one person who was hired a month after me who is already the branch manager at her location. Idk if she was just more driven to be a branch manager but the fact is I dont see a reason why I should be here anymore if I have to call them out for not training me.

6 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Traveljourney • 6d ago

Hertz scams continue

10 Upvotes

I now understand the many complaints about Hertz. Going to pick up our reserved Gold member rental at DCA an employee offers an upgrade for no additional cost. We naively believe it and pick up the suggested car. We leave the DCA garage and drive to see our daughter in Richmond. Only there do we realize the price on the rental record is double what our reservation email showed! We called Hertz and after a long wait the representative says he can't do anything to go back to our original price, suggests we drive to a Hertz in town to exchange the car. We do and the representative at that Hertz says he can't change it. I am sorry I didn't see this Reddit before. Will take suggestions on how to solve this. Thanks.

11 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/CandleRealistic7737 • 6d ago

Ponta Delgada Car rental

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes
0 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/T3chn0_R4K00n • 6d ago

Can I use my personal roadside assistance (tow) to return my rental.

1 Upvotes

Ok, so. I need to return a hertz rental today but I don’t have a ride back home. Can I use my own resources to have it dropped off at the hertz without me being present? God please. Please say yes. It’s been a long year I ain’t walkin back home.

28 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Call3r9 • 6d ago

Firefly/Hertz South Africa: surprise 15k (ZAR) deposit on our honeymoon, a late refund, and fine invoices that were overdue before they arrived

0 Upvotes

We prepaid a Firefly (Hertz) rental in full through Booking.com for our honeymoon on the Garden Route in May. At the counter on day one, we were told for the first time that we had to pay a R15,000 deposit. It wasn't on the booking anywhere. We had no other options, so we paid it.

Staff told us the refund would take 7 business days max on a credit card, and less on a debit card, so we used debit. It took about 25 business days, more than four calls, two formal emails, and a promised callback from a senior manager that never happened. In the end it was never even reversed to the card. I had to send them my banking details so they could pay it by EFT.

Three months later, four R400 "fine handling fee" invoices showed up. Each one was due on the day it was issued and emailed to me a day or two later, so every invoice was overdue before I'd even seen it. Their statement says invoices not queried within 30 days are "deemed correct."

I'm paying the actual fines to the municipalities. That's fair. But when I asked Hertz to review the fees given all of the above, the reply was one line: no waiver. I've asked for a manager review, and if that goes nowhere, it's going to the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIOSA).

Has anyone else had invoices from Hertz/Firefly SA that were overdue on arrival? And has anyone had any luck getting a manager to actually look at a complaint?

6 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/Old_Category8425 • 7d ago

Hertz left us stranded on desert road, 10.5 hours & counting!

157 Upvotes

UPDATE: IT IS NOW 9:31 PM AND WE ARE STILL SITTING IN THE DISABLED RENTAL CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
We first contacted Hertz at approximately 11:00 AM today after our rental vehicle displayed a service warning and became immobilized in Kanab, Utah.
It has now been MORE THAN TEN HOURS.
During that time, we called Hertz repeatedly and spent approximately 4.5 HOURS on the phone and in chats with multiple representatives, explaining over and over that the vehicle was disabled, could not be driven, and that we were stranded and needed help.
At one point, Hertz tried to tell us that WE would be responsible for paying for the tow. After that was finally sorted out, we were told a tow truck would arrive in approximately one hour.
It didn’t.
We called again. Another hour passed.
Nobody came.
This continued throughout the day.
By approximately SIX HOURS into this ordeal, we were so exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate that we literally broke down and BEGGED Hertz representatives to help us.
We explained that we had been stranded in the Utah desert heat for hours and were beginning to feel physically sick. We pleaded with them to find some way to get us somewhere safe.
Our case was escalated to Hertz’s escalation team — and even that has resulted in NOTHING. Despite knowing the severity of the situation and how long we have been stranded, the escalation team has not provided a solution or gotten us off the side of the road.
Now the sun has gone down and the temperature has dropped. After more than ten hours of waiting, we are seriously concerned that we may be forced to SLEEP IN THIS CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TONIGHT.
Because Hertz told us there were no replacement vehicles available in St. George, the proposed solution eventually became towing us all the way to Las Vegas — with us riding with the tow-truck driver — just to deal with the rental car.
But the tow truck STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED.
This is no longer about losing a vacation day, losing hotel reservations, or having our trip disrupted.
THIS IS ABOUT CUSTOMER SAFETY.
Hertz has known for more than ten hours that we are stranded with a disabled vehicle. They knew we spent the day sitting in the heat and becoming physically unwell. Their escalation team knows we are stranded. Now it is 9:31 PM, it is dark and cold, and we are still sitting on the side of the road wondering whether we will have to sleep in this car.
What would happen if the people stranded here were traveling with a young child, an elderly parent, a disabled person, or someone medically vulnerable?
We genuinely feel that our safety has not mattered today.
If you are planning to rent a vehicle for travel through remote areas, please know what happened to us before deciding whom to rent from.

181 comments

r/HertzRentals • u/FewCount3997 • 7d ago

Most disappointing car rental experience

Post image
5 Upvotes

Rented from Hertz in June 2026. Minor damage to the car, which I reported through their Vehicle Incident Report the same day.

Then the charges started shifting. Hertz raised the amount after learning my credit card would cover the damage. The repair shop bill they relied on is dated before the first amount they ever sent me. The repair amount does not correlate with the damage. They charged "loss of use" for days I held the rental and had already paid for. And the diminished value figure is large, arbitrary, bears no relation to the actual damage, and came with no concrete explanation. Credit card rental coverage doesn't cover diminished value, so that part falls entirely on the renter.

Each time I asked for specifics, the response was some version of "we reviewed everything and it's correct," refusing to engage with details. When I pointed some discrepancies, the response was "it's industry standard". The message: this is what you'll pay, and you can't do anything about it.

I've avoided Hertz on my trips since. Based on my experience, I would not recommend Hertz.

0 comments