Hertz - What would you do/ask for?

I'm a #1 Club Gold member (via my company) and rent from Hertz constantly since last December (7+ rentals in the last 6 weeks). I was on my way to the airport to catch a flight this morning (2 important meetings today) when the transmission on my cheesy Hertz Grand Am decided to explode like a roman candle. Skidding across the highway, I was almost run down by a semi truck. I got the car over to the shoulder and called roadside assistance. They dispatched a tow truck.

When I get to the Hertz counter at the airport, the agents are "willing" to give me the rental for free (well, not entirely free, as I've already filled it back up with gas), but act as though anything else (upgrades, maybe compensation for my airline change fee) would be putting them out. So I'm out $100, the gas and a lot of my time (plus missing meetings).

What would you all do? I'm at a bit of a loss, as I've been with Avis up until last December. And I'm strongly considering going back to them after this experience.

You got a crappy car. I had them add "No GM Vehicles" to my profile. Can't stand the big grey buttons they are so fond of using in all their cars.

I would call or email the customer service line and ask them for at least the $100 change fee. Tell them the entire story.

Hertz customer service at the corporate level is better than at their rental facilities.

Thanks for the advice Tummy, I'll definitely ask them to add a "No GM" comment to my profile. I already fired off a rocket to them via their website.

At least I was stuck in an airport (waiting for the next flight) that has a HotSpot.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by H2O_Goalie:
Skidding across the highway, I was almost run down by a semi truck.</font>

The most important thing is that you are okay. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tummy:
Hertz customer service at the corporate level is better than at their rental facilities.</font>

I agree.



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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by H2O_Goalie:
What would you all do? I'm at a bit of a loss, as I've been with Avis up until last December. And I'm strongly considering going back to them after this experience.</font>

Why did you stop using Avis in the first place? I admit that I tend to bounce back and forth from Avis to Hertz from year to year. I keep thinking one is going to do better than the crummy service I got from the other, but they seem to even out.


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CO plat, UA prem; Marriott plat, Hyatt plat, Hilton gold, Starwood gold, Fairmont gold; Avis select, Hertz 5-star, all the others base level... ;)