Hertz - Comp Herzt #1 Gold Club--is it worth it?

I just received a letter from Hertz because I am a Amex platinum card member for a free #1 gold card.
I've never rented from Herzt, usually Avis, or alamo. So the question is is the gold card worth it and what are the benifits?
Regars,
Robert

considering you're getting it for free, I am sure it is at least worth that ! Check out the Hertz website for more info....basically it's like any other frequent renter card...at some locations, you just get in your car and drive off. At other locations, you get a special line....etc...No automatic upgrades or anything like that...

In addition to the preferential treatment, they will send you discount offers and upgrade offers. It's definitely worth having.

QL

I never receive discounts/upgrades but it's great for the convenience of getting in the car and getting out of the airport.

" So the question is is the gold card worth it and what are the benifits?"

If you do not rent from Hertz it will be of zero benefit. They store your credit card details and driving licence and when you turn up to collect a car , the paperwork will already be done rather than having to wait to get it processed. In some locations in some countries, you can bypass the desk and go straight to the car.

Their offering it for free to you is hardly a big thing; outside the US/Canada it is free anyway and , from what I can tell, there are quite a few ways of getting it for free in the US/Canada

If you are likely to start renting with Hertz, then the card is useful, if not, then don't. It doesn't offer any benefits such as car upgrades unless you do > 10 rentals in a year and get upgraded to 5* membership

Dave

Thanks guys for the responses.
Since I don't rent from Hertz, looks like I don't need the gold card.
Looks like just more fluff from AMEX pretending to give you something to justify their high fees and charges.
Thanks to all,
Robert

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I never receive discounts/upgrades but it's great for the convenience of getting in the car and getting out of the airport. </font>

They are emailed every few months. Usually it's either a free weekend day or $15-20 off a weekend or weekly rental.

QL

I like being Hertz Gold, it's saved me countless hours (of waiting in line / paperwork) on airport pickups. It's a bennie that's widely given away to Amex and AA members...I think it's also a freebie for Aadvantage PLT's & EXP's as well as Costco members...so it isn't that great a deal unless you're into Fords.

I find the service as good as Avis Preferred, IMHO the cars at Hertz are just in better condition (and I hate GM cars!).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I never receive discounts/upgrades but it's great for the convenience of getting in the car and getting out of the airport.</font>

Check the companys in your on-line portfolio. Some CDP plans prohibit Hz from mailing you 'promotional' materials. If you have one of these plans in you account, ask them to remove it. Be cautious about this, though. Sometimes that plan is why you receive Hz G gratis.

GMF

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I never receive discounts/upgrades but it's great for the convenience of getting in the car and getting out of the airport. </font>

Agree it may be "promotion" related. A colleague of mine had 5* (few years ago)and I called Hertz asked why I didn't. I was told it was due to the "Promotional Materials" option which I opted out of. Perhaps you have too as I get the mentioned coupons, both paper and electronic, every few months....

I received my offer through AMEX Platinum.
Free enrollment
upgrade certs

Bringing this back from the depths...

My airline is giving away Club Gold for free. I already have an existing #1 club account, which I'd like to convert to preserve the (admittedly few) points I have in there. Hertz phone support said it can't be done and that I'd have to just open two accounts, but I figured someone here would be smarter about it.

I don't mind the process of signing up again and then having them merge the accounts -- I just want to make sure I do it the proper way the first time. Thanks!

One potential reason to switch to Hertz -- last I looked around it is the only car rental company that offers the GPS systems in cars. Granted its an extra $9/day, but can be very useful (when the company is picking up the tab).

I realized the value of my comped Club Gold membership when I used Hertz at ORD over two years ago. I placed my luggage in the rental car (ready and waiting) and went inside to use the bathroom and saw about FIFTY PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE for the next available agent.

It's nice to have in those locations that have the covered area, in harsh weather conditions.

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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tlglenn:
I realized the value of my comped Club Gold membership when I used Hertz at ORD over two years ago. I placed my luggage in the rental car (ready and waiting) and went inside to use the bathroom and saw about FIFTY PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE for the next available agent.</font>

Similar experience at LAX, car was waiting in Gold bay #1 right off the shuttle, inside the line was horrendous, thanks Amex for my comp Gold! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


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Bazz
Still Flying

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tlglenn:
I realized the value of my comped Club Gold membership when I used Hertz at ORD over two years ago. I placed my luggage in the rental car (ready and waiting) and went inside to use the bathroom and saw about FIFTY PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE for the next available agent.</font>

This is why I have a card for every car rental program I consider using. At present that includes AVIS, Hertz, National, and Alamo. I have not paid for any of these memberships although I consider them invaluable in terms of my time. I hate lines.

Some people feel that they will never use something so they don't take advantage of a free offer. I look at it the other way. You never know when you may need it. Circumstances change. You'll be ahead of the game if you sign up for it now.

And it doesn't cost you anything. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

If you are spending OPM it's good to have your info in the computer, you can be in your car & out of there in no time. If you are spending YOM use Priceline.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QuietLion:
In addition to the preferential treatment, they will send you discount offers and upgrade offers. It's definitely worth having.QL</font>

You only get offers and upgrade coupons if you agree to allow them to put your info on their give away? list
I declined and they don't send offers.
If it wasn't a company policy to rent from Hertz, I would go elsewhere.
Being Gold only gives me a walkthru.
In EWR last week I walked 1/2 mile for the car. Some status eh?

&gt;&gt;You only get offers and upgrade coupons if you agree to allow them to put your info on their give away? list I declined and they don't send offers.&lt;&lt;

I get the upgrade coupons in the mail with my statement.

&gt;&gt;In EWR last week I walked 1/2 mile for the car. Some status eh?&lt;&lt;

I think it so. I have never had to walk far at all, as the Gold parking spots are always closer. Are you sure your reservation was designated as Gold? Do you realize how far a half mile is? Slight exageration maybe?
The Hertz area at EWR cant be that big...

I think the biggest difference between Hertz and the other programs where you don't have to stop at a desk is that you can actually earn rewards points for your rentals instead of getting miles at hotels, airlines, etc. The points needed for free weekend rentals can add up pretty quickly.

(Side note: I used to use Avis exclusively until last winter at DTW when I had a snowed over car and no snow scraper. I asked an associate if they could get me one and they told me to get one from one of the other cars in the lot since they didn't have any more inside! Suddenly that Hertz canopy was looking pretty good!)