American Express Membership Rewards - Has anyone EVER got the benefits Centurion promise Hertz members?

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/hertzlink/index.jsp?targetPage=HEL_AmexCenturion_GB.jsp

I have yet to receive the best car on the lot (I've even been given cars with the bumper held on by cable ties) and yesterday I was given and charged for a Neverlost I didn't request, not given the best car on the lot AND charged a one way fee.

Amex RM mumbled something about "recent changes" which haven't been communicated to anyone apparently.

I book sometimes with Hertz, more often with Avis, as they are walking distance from my house.

I almost never get an upgrade from Hertz (book mid-size, get a Toyota Corolla), but with Avis, for the same mid-size I often get a Cherokee, the big Chrysler mobster-type car, etc.

I usually go with Avis because of this.

Did not get upgrade, but did get the extra four hours on the return;)

I took the car back an hour late today. They didn't charge extra - per the four hour rule BUT they did charge me for two days of the NeverLost I didn't request. I would argue but this is going to be an AXA claim so I'll let Amex argue. Oh yes and my other favourite. Tried to get the benefits in San Juan Puerto Rico as PR is part of the US. "Oh no sir, you're not covered - this is Latin America.". So I booked with Avis - booked the smallest car possible and got a Jeep Wrangler Sport :)

Interesting, hadn't seen those list of benefits or seen my membership designated as president's circle.
Usually great rates when booking hertz by Cent travel counselor.
Minimal upgrade on occasion.
4 hour late return never a problem.
Car usually ready for express pickup on arrival.

Think of it as ordinary Hertz Gold membership that almost anyone can get for free with just one added perk which is the 4 hour grace and you will be happy.

If you want more you need a higher level that Hertz elite they do not give out with Centurion. Become a CEO of a Fortune 500 whose employees use Hertz is one way. ;)

UK Centurion theoretically gets all the benefits in the link above. I don't mind if it is just the odd upgrade and 4 hours grace if that's what the paperwork says...

I don't rent cars often, but my experience with Hertz is that I may rent a car I'd be happy with driving around (eg: Ford Focus), and I'll get "upgraded" to some huge GM which is larger, but in my opinion a huge downgrade in enjoyability of the drive. I usually end up asking them to downgrade me to what I originally booked, and find the "upgrade" to be more annoying than anything else. Occasionally they would have already rented out the vehicle I ordered, and I have no choice but to accept the "upgrade".

Obviously I'm not expecting that any american rental car company will upgrade me to a BMW, but within the parameters of what is available, I think the Ford Fusion/Focus are the most desirable products, followed by the Kia. Hertz always has "bigger is better" in their upgrade mentality.

I actually generally much prefer renting from Alamo (no status, no upgrades), and picking exactly what I want (Jeep Wrangler if I'm going to be somewhere with dirt/off road situations), or Ford Fusion/Focus (depending on luggage size) otherwise. With Alamo/Budget I get exactly what I paid for/expected.

I avoid Hertz like the plague. Average rates, never get decent upgrade, most times they forget I have presidents circle and don't have the car ready/in quick pick up bay. Avis I have always had better success.

I swing between Avis and Hertz as they both continue to disappoint. Buit yes it seems that Hertz promise more and deliver less. I wonder if the Hertz forum has a lurker?

Booked a kia (cheapest available) for a week in orlando airport from Hertz. asked for a child seat. got 20% off (though rate was already very low) and child seat free (I believe normally this is $20 per day, so I saved $140). Upgraded to Jeep Patriot. Car was waiting for me upon arrival - keys and child seat were already in the car. The car was in good shape and the child seat was not a bad one. Smooth procedure: just got in and drove out. Total bill for the week was about $140. Very happy.

The problem is with Hertz you just have a corporate discount number ( which typically is inferior to the AAA discount). With Avis you actually have elite status.

I've gotten an upgrade maybe 10 or 20% of the time, usually it's more of a side-grade and always a bit of an adventure. I do like how they text/email you now with your stall information so you can go right to the car.

The problem is with Hertz you just have a corporate discount number ( which typically is inferior to the AAA discount). With Avis you actually have elite status.

I think the confusion here stems from the fact that some of us are US Cents and most of the others (reporting the great benefits and status) are non-US.

There is a distinct difference between the cards:
All Cents worldwide are now offered Hertz PC elite status, which is reflected on their membership card, profile, etc. You can choose to use the Cent CDP or not - whatever works for you in your choice of rates and 4-hour benefit, etc.

HOWEVER, this is specifically excluded from US Cent Members - you cannot enroll in the elite status if your Cent card is issued in the USA (similar to Hilton who gives automatic Diamond status to all Cent members, provided their card was NOT issued in the USA).

If you are one of us "poor USA members", your only "benefit" with Hertz is the ability to use the Cent CDP if you choose (which doesn't automatically guarantee you any specific upgrades, free child-seats anymore, pick-up service, nor recognition of any kind).

I have tried to "upgrade" to the elite status, and not only does it reject it (as being a US-issued card) but Hertz actually will not issue me a physical card unless I accumulate X rentals with them. With the non-existant benefits of the CDP (some FQTV CDPs give me significantly better rates), no reliable acceptance of the 4-hour-grace, and no free kid-seats anymore - I don't use them (or the Cent "benefit") at all anymore.

That should explain much of the confusion here. YMMV

National is the way to go. Best prices and emerald aisle. Never been disappointed.

National is the way to go. Best prices and emerald aisle. Never been disappointed.

+1. I'm a lowly Plat, but made the reluctant switch to National when AmEx dropped our Avis and Hertz benefits and gave us National Exec instead. I haven't looked back. I thought this was a Plat-only benefit (go figure), but if Cent has added it, might be worth a look.

I agree National is great. I try and use them as often as I can.

I've gotten the 4 hour grace period and free child seats before. The free child seats alone are a huge value (several hundred dollars for two seats over a week rental)

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/hertzlink/index.jsp?targetPage=HEL_AmexCenturion_GB.jsp

I have yet to receive the best car on the lot (I've even been given cars with the bumper held on by cable ties) and yesterday I was given and charged for a Neverlost I didn't request, not given the best car on the lot AND charged a one way fee.

Amex RM mumbled something about "recent changes" which haven't been communicated to anyone apparently.

US and CANADA: DOES NOT INCLUDE FRANCHISE LOCATIONS....