Hertz - Why is Hertz Europe so noncompetitive?

I have a simple rental for France in September. Avignon-Marseille for a week.

There will be four of us so I was looking for a mid-size car or small van.

I would think that Hertz would offer some discounts or promos for this period by now but they haven't. ( most of the promos end in late June or July.) Using my AAA discount a rental including the one-way fee with Hertz is a whopping 712 US.

Avis on the other hand for the exact same rental ( slightly bigger vehicle) was 308US.

Hertz is usually my car rental of choice but not this time.

I wonder why Europe is so noncompetitive?

Taxes are high (up to 27% VAT). I'd have a look at Europcar. I think their rates are more reasonable.

Taxes are high (up to 27% VAT). I'd have a look at Europcar. I think their rates are more reasonable.

I have... it is in the mid -price range but the pre-pay function is a deal breaker for me.

Don't get me wrong..the Avis is rate is quite good and I am very happy with it. But I just don't have any allegiance with Avis.... I wish Hertz, which has most of my business in the past , was bit more competitive in this case.

What you're describing is not that different from what I've seen often in the US.

What I've noticed with Hertz is they sometimes choose not to price-compete on advance reservations, then they start to do so as the date approaches. Often, the best rates are 1 week to 2 weeks advance.

And promo codes are rarely released for more than 60 days out.

I'd recommend trying various CDP's and re-checking if Hertz service is worth you trying to find a cheaper rate.

Likewise, watch for CDP's to appear as the trip approaches.

(Autoslash used to do all this for you, but they've been banned by Hertz and all the others. :()

Finally, make sure you hold your Avis or other lowest cost agency reservation in case Hertz doesn't budge.