Hertz - Long term (3-6 month) rental; what should I do?

As part of a temporary assignment, I will need a car for the next 3-6 months. As I do not have a car of my own, the option of rental has reared its head. I was hoping someone could shed some liht on my options.
-Is hertxz the best to do such a rental through?
- What kind of prices am I looking at?
- How will the points accrual work when its just one long rental? Should IO try to break it up into smaller rentals to get more points/better status?
- While I like the idea of status and miles is there a cheaper alternative that anyone can think of?

Thanks!

I would break it up at an off aiport location. Let the owner/manager know that you will be renting weekly or bi-weekly for the next 6 months. By staying with "weekly rates" (full 7 day rentals) you are able to get some pretty good rates.

I haven't researched it for a while but mini-leases usually come with mileage restictions and you have to return the car for maintenance anyways at some point. The rates aren't always better either.

Factor in your time as to how often you want to be returning cars and how close they are for you to do this as well. Don't forget the value of FF/Hotel miles. You could also make 5* by renting and returning weekly (but the benefits vary according to some here).

Lots to think about. I'm sure that some others will give some other things to think about.

I did a long-term rental (for three and a half months) a couple of years ago through Hertz, and found that the monthly rate was competitive with any weekly rate I could get (it worked out to almost exactly the same price). I did my rental at SFO airport, and had absolutely no problems.

As far as maintenance, they ask that you either get the oil changed at 3,000 miles (if I remember correctly) for which they'll reimburse you if you present your receipt; or, you can just return the car and get a new one (which is what I did--took me all of 10 minutes, and I got another brand new car with 7 miles on it). They did send me a postcard every month on which they asked me to report the mileage and mail back, although my long-term rental included unlimited miles.

I can't speak for any other rental companies, though, so I can't say if Hertz is better or worse than others for long-term rentals.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Woodsmit:
As part of a temporary assignment, I will need a car for the next 3-6 months. As I do not have a car of my own, the option of rental has reared its head. I was hoping someone could shed some liht on my options.
</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
-Is hertxz the best to do such a rental through? !</font>
Maybe, see below.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
- What kind of prices am I looking at?
</font>
You can find out by calling Hertz and telling them the city where you will be renting, the dates you will pick up and return, and the class of vehicle you want. You can also check on-line at hertz.com or another travel web site.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
- How will the points accrual work when its just one long rental?]</font>
I have found that the more you spend the more you get (generally). Different airline/hotel partners may have other policies.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Should IO try to break it up into smaller rentals to get more points/better status?</font>
If the time spent returning/exchanging the vehicle is worth it to you, then you may want to consider it. How close is the rental location to the place where you will be staying? Are you prepared to take everything out of your car once a week/month?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
- While I like the idea of status and miles is there a cheaper alternative that anyone can think of?!</font>
Enterprise.

One other thing to consider - check with your credit card or insurance comapny if you are going to be relying on them for insurance while you rent. I have heard of some not covering rentals for periods longer than 30 days.

[This message has been edited by isogyre (edited 05-15-2003).]

[This message has been edited by isogyre (edited 05-15-2003).]