Hertz - upgrade policy for #1 Club Gold?

Im renting a car for a business trip I have to Newport, Rhode Island. I will be paying a $96 per day corporate rate, apparently that gives me a mid-size (2 or 4 door). Im wondering what sort of an upgrade I can expect being a #1 Gold (if any). Is there a standard policy that Hertz applies or does it pretty much just depend on what they have on their lot when I go pick up the car?

Has anybody ever been upgraded to a Prestige collection with one of these high corporate rates?

Thanks!!

------------------
Gaucho100K

[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 06-21-2002).]

As a "regular" #1 Club Gold member, I've been upgraded to a Prestige Collection car on a $29/day weekend rate. I've also gotten zilch on a $69/day corporate rate and an upgrade coupon.

YMMV wildly on this, I think.

------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Gaucho-
I've got Hertz Gold and rent once a week from them @ IAD and I've been offered a mini van at one point- thanks but no thanks I'll stick to my ford focus any day of the week!
They have upgraded me recently on a trip I to Montauk with a mint "men in black" moble.
BT

Thanks for the heads up. What is a men in black mobile...???

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Is there a standard policy that Hertz applies?
</font>

The fine print on the European #1 Club Gold contract mentioned 'the newest car available' in the category booked, if I remember correctly. I usually do end up in low mileage cars; the actual upgrades are wholly unpredictable.

Gaucho100K:

As a Gold#1 Hertz should have mailed you from time to time vouchers for an upgrade (PC# 167215)and for discounts (PC# 167182). After 5 rentals I get a voucher for one free day rental (PC# 36713)

Did you really say $96 per day for a corporate rate? Is that US Dollars? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif That's pretty bad.

BTW, you should be careful if you get upgraded to a Prestige car .. depending on the car, your credit card insurance may not apply.

-David




[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 06-22-2002).]

Yeah, thats $96 US.... and I got a lousy Camry for that price.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif The agent barked at me when I asked if there was a possibility of getting an upgrade. She also barked that $96 a day was CHEAP.

I guess I now realize what a #1 Gold card is good for... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

"I guess I now realize what a #1 Gold card is good for... "

For reducing paperwork when picking a car up? There is no upgrade policy for regular gold members , only for 5* and PC gold members

Dave

But don't expect it as a 5*. Last 10 rentals, got "upgraded" once (to include a neverlost). Could be where I rent.

I got an upgrade from Hertz Canada in YYZ (I'm only #1 Gold), but to a car without NeverLost.
I accepted to pay the NeverLost fee, and became a car of the same category as the upgraded one, with NL.

As I returned the car, they charged me for the NeverLost ... and for the upgrade http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif



[This message has been edited by ahrz (edited 06-23-2002).]

Thanks for the heads up, Dave. Now I know not to expect anything from my 'elite' membership.

I agree, #1 Club Gold is great for speeding you through the system. It's much faster than not having #1 Club Gold .. in locations with counter service, they usually have a separate line for Gold, and the paperwork is often all ready for you.

Even as a 5-star member, I rarely see an upgrade, and I usually end up walking forever to pick up my car in the huge SFO garage. I guess at the next tier my car would be closer in, which would be a great benefit. (Heck, I usually don't even get my preference: a smokers car.)

Still, $96 is kind of high. Maybe it was a last minute rental and there was some special event going on there?

I think our negotiated corp rate is around $36 or so per day for a compact, and it's maybe a dollar or two more for a mid-size or full-size, and that includes some insurance on business rentals. We can use those rates for personal rentals, but it doesn't include the insurance. I'm usually able to find cheaper rates on the web site for personal rentals.

-David


[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 06-24-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Thanks for the heads up, Dave. Now I know not to expect anything from my 'elite' membership.</font>

The #1 Gold isn't an "elite" scheme. Anyone can join ( and if registered with an address outside of North America is free to join ) so it makes sense that they don't offer features like upgrades.

Once you have done 10/30 rentals you can get 5*/Presidents Circle membership and then have upgrade entitlement. With 5* membership I have never failed to get an upgrade , except for a couple of times in Oz where they apologised and just charged me for a lower group to which I had booked. If you get to PC, then you will get an automatic upgrade at time of booking.

Just don't think of #1 Gold as an "elite" scheme since it is the basic entry level status

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
[B]Yeah, thats $96 US.... and I got a lousy Camry for that price.... The agent barked at me when I asked if there was a possibility of getting an upgrade. She also barked that $96 a day was CHEAP.
[B]</font>

A Camry is a YF ("Special" Full-Size), so you did get an upgrade from the mid-size you reserved and paid for.

Thanks for the clarification, Beckles. I guess I got barked at and I got an upgrade then. I hate the Camry so much perhaps I should have requested a downgrade... (bleech!!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

Dave, thanks for the additional clarification. I wasnt aware that I was bottom of the barrell. I will be renting more cars this year, so perhaps I can make it up there.

Gaucho, I mean this in the friendliest possible way ... Get over it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You got an upgrade from a mid-size to a full-size ... would you have preferred a Taurus? Personally I much prefer the Camry to a Taurus ... maybe that's not the case for you.

Anyway, at this point I have to wonder what you were expecting ... if you were expecting a Volvo or some other Prestige Car, forget it. One in a hundred rentals you might get that upgrade to a Volvo from a mid-size as a #1 Club Gold member, but forget about expecting it. As a 5* member myself Hertz now has me trained to be thankful for the occasional one-car class upgrade. I'd be thankful for the absolutely free one car class upgrade you got (renting in BOS a few weeks ago I too got a Camry, of course, I had actually reserved a full-size so I got nothing ... nada ... zilch ... for an upgrade, even though I am a 5* member).

My follow on question is - as a #1 Club Gold and my if CDP & PC offers a 1 class upgrade, would this suggest a better batting average on getting a decent upgrade?

Thanks in advance. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by milehighj:
My follow on question is - as a #1 Club Gold and my if CDP & PC offers a 1 class upgrade, would this suggest a better batting average on getting a decent upgrade?

Thanks in advance. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

My experience as a 5* is that it's still a crap shoot. It will vary by location. I usually get a 2-3 class upgrade (with or without any upgrade certs or PC's), regardless of the rate or class I book.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DuhWane:
My experience as a 5* is that it's still a crap shoot. It will vary by location. I usually get a 2-3 class upgrade (with or without any upgrade certs or PC's), regardless of the rate or class I book.</font>

What class are you booking? I always book full-size and I'm lucky to get upgraded to a Premium (one class) 50% of the time, and I've gotten a few Ford Escapes as of late, which I'm not really sure is all that much of an upgrade from a full-size ...

I think if you rent lower classes you're more likely to get upgraded and get upgraded several classes.

Usually an Intermedate or Standard - either way, I'll get a Premium (or a 4x4 SUV) on 90% of my rentals.

An Escape would have been nice, Ive never driven one of those things. How powerful is the Engine?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
An Escape would have been nice, Ive never driven one of those things. How powerful is the Engine?</font>

3.0 V6, 201 hp. never tried one yet, so will try to grab one on my next rental.

Gaucho, you're PPS right? do you use your SQ PPS CDP & PC (good for 1 class upgrade) when renting?

Yes, Im PPS, but only until the end of this month... and Im not sure SQ will grandfather me for the next year (as they have done to some). Thanks for the tip, though.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Yes, Im PPS, but only until the end of this month... and Im not sure SQ will grandfather me for the next year (as they have done to some). Thanks for the tip, though.</font>

sorry to hear that. there's also the rule that if you've averaged enough to qualify over the past few years, they'll let you keep PPS. anyway this is seriously off-topic! do keep us posted on this over on the SQ forum. cheers.

I am currently Avis Preferred Select (have been for years) and I was until recently Hertz Five Star. With Avis Preferred Select I have been upgraded in virtually every case-for years. With Hertz Five Star I got what I reserved in virtually every case. I found no value in loyalty to Hertz, that is, there is no difference between regular No 1 Gold and Five Star as far as my experience.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Thanks for the heads up. What is a men in black mobile...???</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

To quote MIB II (from the web trailer)
...
Tommy Lee Curtis: "I always do the driving right?"
Will Smith: "Hey, No"
Tommy Lee Curtis: "I remmber that"
Will Smith: "You used to drive that old busted joint, I drive, the new hotness." ... pointing to Tommy Lee Curtis ..."old and busted" ... pointing to self ... "new hotness".

"new hotness" is a Mercedes - modified so it looks like a future model. I suspect the reference above is to "old and busted".

OT: I believe the "new hotness" is the new E-class from Mercedes. I wonder if its the AMG http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

$96/day is highway robbery for a mid-size. My corp. rate is $36 for a midsize, with the exception of "expensive places," most notably NYC. RI is not one of these.
However, "franchise" Hertzes can charge what they want. I suspect that's what has happened in RI. I pay $48 in BMI for the same midsize.
As for upgrades, I rent from STL, and am predident's circle. I reserve a mid-size and get upgraded to Taurus, come rain or shine. Occasionally I get a Sable(ooooo!).

What I wish there really was is a non-prestiege "nice" car that I could upgrade to with upgrade coupons. I really have no need for a Marquis or some other such boat-ish nonsense. I think of something like a Millenium, but it seems they never have these in CLE. :-(

For the record, I rented in Manhattan.

Another piece of advice:

There are plenty of double upgrade coupons available various places. I usually get one from Alaska Airlines or AA from time to time. There are also some good through mid 2003 in the Entertainment Book.

Hertz.com also has some good online coupons if you're #1CG and log in to the website. I often find double upgrades available there.

Also, if you can book a full-size and there isn't much of a price difference, try doing that. Last four rentals with this strategy (and double upgrade coupon):

4 rentals ago: upgr to SUV (DFW)
3 rentals ago: upgr to Volvo S60T (LAS)
2 rentals ago: no upgr avail (LGB)
1 rental ago: upgr to Mazda Millenia S (SEA)

FYI, I'm only a lowly #1CG - no %* or PC..

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RyeGuy:
I reserve a mid-size and get upgraded to Taurus, come rain or shine. Occasionally I get a Sable(ooooo!).
</font>

I am 5 Star, and 2 weeks ago I got a Dodge Stratus. If that was the "upgrade" car, I wonder what the non upgrade car would be.

Sounds like all of this Hertz Gold stuff is a waste of money. I was invited to join when I hit NW Elite, at no charge, so I said, "What the heck." Well, I can tell you that I am no more or less impressed with #1 Gold than I am with National or Avis. National's Emerald Aisle service (I upgrade me) for the cost of a mid-size, and, if there is no Emerald Aisle, I get an automatic upgrade. I'm always upgraded with Avis Preferred based on availability. The covered parking doesn't even justify the cost if I had to pay $50.00 a year. Since it was free, I accepted it, but I can almost always get a better deal with National or Avis.

[This message has been edited by Randeman (edited 08-01-2002).]

I beg to differ. #1 Gold Service is the difference between no wait and go direct to your car and 30 minutes in line when you are renting from a major hub on a busy friday afternoon/evening... and 30 minutes of standing around is well worth $50.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
I beg to differ. #1 Gold Service is the difference between no wait and go direct to your car and 30 minutes in line when you are renting from a major hub on a busy friday afternoon/evening... and 30 minutes of standing around is well worth $50.</font>

NEVER had that problem with Avis or National. The Avis bus drops me at my car, the National bus drops me at the Emerald lot. The only thing I have ever had to wait for with either company was the bus.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dataton:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

To quote MIB II (from the web trailer)
...
Tommy Lee Curtis: "I always do the driving right?"
Will Smith: "Hey, No"
Tommy Lee Curtis: "I remmber that"
Will Smith: "You used to drive that old busted joint, I drive, the new hotness." ... pointing to Tommy Lee Curtis ..."old and busted" ... pointing to self ... "new hotness".

"new hotness" is a Mercedes - modified so it looks like a future model. I suspect the reference above is to "old and busted".</font>

it's Tommy Lee JONES

What are the chances of getting upgraded (I'm 5*) from a standard 4WD to a better one? Im doing a one way rental from sea - slc. What kinds of 4WD cars have you gotten?

jml...That really depends on the city, time of day, month, etc. I have had poor luck but I mainly fly into large airports on Mondays.

PersonalCareChemist -&gt; into sea return to slc pickup on a thurs return monday (week later) mid august. Would it pay to call the SEA hertz center that day? The last 3 times I got screwed - no car waiting for me, wrong car, or wrong price and had to go wait in line. This is getting old....

I've found that on one-way rentals they can screw you - particularly if they have a car they want to get rid of. This is just my experience (LAX - LAS, BOS - LGA, etc.) so your mileage (so to speak) may vary...

Then again, I'm not 5* either...

Good luck either way!

LGB gave me a Legacy Outback wagon for the price of a Taurus.

i ordinarily hate "upgrades", but my, was that fun.

I've found that if you rent prestige cars you're likely to get upgraded to a better prestige car. I've been upgraded from a Lincoln LS to a Jag. several times.

I've rarely gotten upgraded as a Avis P (say 15+ rentals/yr) but I don't expect one either. They occasionally give coupons to get one a 1 class upgrade.

5* does seem to be good for a few on here, but I join the majority in saying that its a crapshoot whether or not you ask for a upgrade. Many airports consider an upgrade to be a F to YF, not a F to G, say, and some of these airports have crap YF choices this year (not enough Maximas for example http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I booked F and got a YE (Taurus Station Wagon) recently. How's that for a 5* upgrade http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Kenji

I've been HZ gold for? 5? years. Rented subcompact in IND for around $28 and then saw a PT Cruiser and asked what the new rate would be - only $34! wow!

I took it - nice drive from IND to Kenosha.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
I beg to differ. #1 Gold Service is the difference between no wait and go direct to your car and 30 minutes in line when you are renting from a major hub on a busy friday afternoon/evening... and 30 minutes of standing around is well worth $50.</font>

It's $50 to join? I've been a #1 Club Gold Member for 3 years now and have yet to pay for it. I didn't even know there was a membership fee.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SRQ Guy:
It's $50 to join? I've been a #1 Club Gold Member for 3 years now and have yet to pay for it. I didn't even know there was a membership fee.

</font>

I received a free membership 7 years ago as a BA promotion. It has been renewed every year for free. I've also received several similar free offers during the last 7 years, but never bothered since I already had a Gold membership. I did not even realized they were still charging some people for this.

Paying $50 to join is one of the many ways you can get #1 Club Gold... you can get it by renting a prestige, having an Amex Platinum card, etc, etc.........

Now I remember... I got a free membership from a rofessional organization that I joined. I guess once you get that first free membership, it just renews automatically. I rent almost exclusivesly from Hertz 4-5 times per year, on average, so it's certainly not due to my heavy patronage!

OK - I know how I got the invite to #1 Gold -- but how are you notified or do you have to ask to be 5*?? I know I've rented at least 25 times this year...

If this is automatic, I sure haven't noticed any real differences...

For 5*, send an email to Hertz from their web page and request an early upgrade based upon already qualifying. I just did and got an email back saying my new card was going out. Otherwise, they wait until the end of the year to process the change. Might as well take advantage of the perks ASAP.