I rented with ZE 2 weeks ago and was surprised to see that I will only earn 2 miles on my preferred airline for every dollar I've spent on my rental (corporate rate). I've read about it months ago but did not realize it was already in effect. Personally, given ZE's "higher than average" rental rates and lesser amount of airline miles earned per rental, I have decided not to rent from them again unless they are the only option I have. What do you all think?

Well, most car companies are going to a different method of figuring miles. I guess they're tired of giving frequent flyers 500 miles for a one day $40 rental.

Since I'm going to be renting with Hertz for the first time shortly I was looking at what they offer, and it looked to me like Marriot Rewards Points were the best deal. I'm going to Detroit in September, and using my Delta Gold Medallion discount #, I'm getting a free two car class upgrade from a full-size two-door for only $25/day, plus taking Marriott Rewards Points I'll get 1,000 free points (which I need anyway for a free stay I'm going to take next year).

if you opt to take airline miles (instead of their new award program points where they give you a golf putter after 5 rentals or so), you can still get 500 miles for a non-government rate. hertz was the cheapest rate i found on the last two trips i took (iad and atl), but they were both weekend rentals with a 10% internet discount (www.hertz.com).

don't know how long they'll keep awarding airline miles, but as the previous post noted, the airlines are starting to realize that 500 miles for a $25 rental doesn't make good corporate sense (to them at least... i think it's great!!).

Yes, car rental bonus miles are changing very fast, maybe Web Flyer should post them every week like they post the last minute bargain airfares.

I agree that for Hertz right now their rewards program or the Marriott 1000 point bonus appear better. I think that Hertz will change the point structure with Marriott just as they have done with airlines. Most other car rental companies are still giving 500 miles per rental but the rules are changing. I end up booking the one with the cheapest rates, and its been a long while since I rented with Hertz.

Is it 1 mile per dollar or 2 miles per dollar for corporate rates with Hertz?

Correction - effective June 1 1998, Hertz no longer gives 500/250 miles per rental for United but gives 2/1 miles per dollar. For other airlines it is still 500/250 but will be changing. I wonder how Hertz will give credit for Southwest (currently they give 1 credit per rental).

It's real easy. I only rent from National. They are the only company where you still receive 500 miles per rental. Wake up Hertz!

mpclaw, Hertz still gives 500 miles per rental for several airlines as do almost every other rental car company (as of today). Also from the June 1998 Inside Flyer: "... National will begin offering 50 miles per day for AAdvantage members beginning Aug 1 .....".

I know that Avis, who my company makes us use, is now giving 500 for regular rentals and only 250 for corporate rate rentals.

Just chechked Hertz Award web site and two of the awards are miles. 500 Award points = 500 miles, 1000 Award point = 1000 miles. Me I still ask for Southwest credit instead of award points if I fly in on Southwest. $45 rental today earned me one Southwest flight credit. Also, Marriot points are always awarded in addition to any other points (ailine or award club). Hertz seams to be adding more awards also. I don;t remember the upgrade award before. Check back with the website to see the latest. As an aside, you have to love Southwest, 1 roundtrip flight and car earned me 5 flight credits (2 for trip, 2 for using internet and one for car) or almost 1/3 of a free ticket for a one day trip from Dallas to Austin.

With award mileage now based on the size of your car rental bill (or number of days rented), the Hertz program is clearly a better option for those renting for longer than a few days. Those renting for a day or two get more value out of Marriott points. Just to clarify a point made by rthib (above), Marriott points are NOT awarded by Hertz in addition to miles. You can get 500 Marriott points (for a corporate rental) OR the miles, not both. You can receive 150 additional Marriott points, regardless of whether you choose points or miles, if you stay at a Marriott in conjunction with your rental.

Not to argue but the last two times I have recieved both SWA award and Marriot points.

That's a neat trick, rhtib. I don't know how you managed to get both, but kudos! I have tried before with no luck and the rules clearly state you can't get both.

MileKing - Do you ask for point when you make reservation or at the desk? I always stop by the desk and ask for the points and give them my SWA card and my marriott card.

I'm Hertz Gold and usually in too much of a rush to stop by the desk. Hertz takes the information when reservations are made. I give them BOTH my airline FF# and my Marriott #. What my statements always show is 250 miles (corporate rate) on my airline statement and 150 points for Marriott (assuming I stay at a Marriott on that trip). If I just give them my Marriott number, I'll get 650 Marriott points and no airline miles.

I am learning.

I am Hertz #1 Gold (no desk visit) and normally I have only one Marriott night (so I choose the MarriottMiles), I fly (in the US) UA as Premier 1K. Form Hertz I got lately 2 miles per $ (visit USA and/or weekend-rates).

Can I get (with my Hertz rental) addional 150 Marriott Reward Points (even when my Marriott visit is booked in their Milesprogramm with UA: 500 miles per stay plus 2'500 bonus miles per completed 5th stay)?

Do I claim those 150 Marriott Reward Points form Hertz or from Marriott?