Hertz - My first rental as a PC

Took the metro down to DCA this afternoon to pick up a car ... had booked a Taurus for $17.09 ... to do some errands. Was wondering what PC would bring me!! Sitting in the bay with my name on it was ... a dreaded Grand Marquis (bench seats and all!!) So I went to the Gold Booth seeking a swap (secretly hoping I might be offered something from the Prestige Collection!) Nothing doing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. The guy behind the counter recognised me as a frequent renter and told me to call customer service to make a note on my profile that I didn't like Grand Marquis' and Crown Victorias. Instead he gave me a Chevy Impala. Not sure if that is a full upgrade or one some of those YF (demi-upgrades!). I'm off to DUB on Thursday so we'll see what my fellow Dubliners give me (in the past as a 5* I've always received an upgrade from intermediate to standard or standard to premium).

[This message has been edited by UAPremExecflyer (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UAPremExecflyer:
Took the metro down to DCA this afternoon to pick up a car ... had booked a Taurus for $17.09 ... to do some errands. Was wondering what PC would bring me!! Sitting in the bay with my name on it was ... a dreaded Grand Marquis (bench seats and all!!) So I went to the Gold Booth seeking a swap (secretly hoping I might be offered something from the Prestige Collection!) Nothing doing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. The guy behind the counter recognised me as a frequent renter and told me to call customer service to make a note on my profile that I didn't like Grand Marquis' and Crown Victorias. Instead he gave me a Chevy Impala. Not sure if that is a full upgrade or one some of those YF (demi-upgrades!). I'm off to DUB on Thursday so we'll see what my fellow Dubliners give me (in the past as a 5* I've always received an upgrade from intermediate to standard or standard to premium).

[This message has been edited by UAPremExecflyer (edited Jan 03, 2004).]</font>
Welcome to PC where the primary benefit over 5* is that your car will be parked closer to where you get off the bus (Sometimes), don't expect too much else and you won't be disappointed.


[This message has been edited by paul5E (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

Yeah, who really cares about these upgrades, since just about the only non-Prestige Collection car I don't mind driving is the Taurus. Or maybe the rare instance when I get a Toyota Camry or Mazda 626. Everything else is either embarrassing (Hey there Grandpa in the Grand Marquis!) or doesn't drive well.


[This message has been edited by ijgordon (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

Get used to the Vic and Marq if you normally reserve a full size. I think 98% of the premiums in Hertz' fleet are Vics and Marqs.

Personally, I'll take a Vic w/leather over a Taurus anyday.

Would be interested to see what you would usually end up with though if you had "no Vic or Marq" added to your profile while reserving a fullsize. Keep us posted if you take that route!

Don't hold your breath on getting an upgrade to a Prestige car unless for some reason the Hertz person is having a really really good day. A Platinum member by contract terms isnt even able to be upgraded to a Prestige car so if thats the case then a PC member def. wouldnt get it.

I had a chat with Customer Service today and changed my default profile choice from full-size (Taurus) to Intermediate ... so that means I avoid the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis ... and my upgrade will now be to full-size! Basically I just don't like the bench seats in the Vic and Marquis ... I find them very uncomfortable ... and also they are very "flabby" cars to drive. The Taurus for all its non-descriptness (is there such a word?) at least gives you the feeling you are driving a car. I'd like to try a Nissan Maxima or Altima ... but so far haven't managed to get one of those!!

Not that anyone cares...but I just got an email, I had 41 rentals last year (I thought it was closer to 38..but don't really keep tract)

So I'll be PC this year for the first time.

I think they should have a mid tier...as 10 rentals eveyone does...but 40 is hard for those of us that do 4-7 day rentals.

annerj

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by annerj:
I think they should have a mid tier...as 10 rentals eveyone does...but 40 is hard for those of us that do 4-7 day rentals.</font>

Honestly they should do rentals or days like most hotel programs, rewarding spending either by sheer quantity or "quality" (as in less bills, but larger amounts per bill).

I emailed, snail mailed and spoke twice to Hertz customer service about PC status due to my total dollar amount of rentals for 2003. The two customer service reps each told me that they would turn my file over to someone to research my rentals and would contact me within 72 hours with a decision. It has now been 36 days and 7 days respectively and still no answer. Any suggestions as how I can get an answer?

Give it up--PC isn't worth the bother.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DJ_Iceman:
Give it up--PC isn't worth the bother.</font>

DJ, Seems like for once I completely agree with you!

Thanks for the advice, which I will take and just forget about PC.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Lane412000:
Any suggestions as how I can get an answer?</font>

Last ditch effort (before you decide to just let it pass), I would send a physical letter in the mail (on corporate stationary, if you have it).

I conduct all my correspondance with my "elite" programs this way and while it takes a little longer then dashing off an email, I find 100% of the time people respond to me.

I guess they believe that if you took the time to write, it must be important to you, and they will take the time to write back.

It also prevents replies via email from being canned by your personal or corporate "spam catcher".

I just returned from DUB where I had reserved an intermediate manual (stick shift to the uninitiated) 1.6 Mondeo (or similar) and got a very nice Saab 9-three instead : ). Apart from the quirky Saab tradition of putting the ignition in the center console down by the gear stick, the hand brake wouldn't release unless the car was in gear (somewhat bizarre). Other than that it was a nice car to drive ... and it was parked only a couple of minutes walk from the counter!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UAPremExecflyer:
I just returned from DUB where I had reserved an intermediate manual (stick shift to the uninitiated) 1.6 Mondeo (or similar) and got a very nice Saab 9-three instead : ). Apart from the quirky Saab tradition of putting the ignition in the center console down by the gear stick, the hand brake wouldn't release unless the car was in gear (somewhat bizarre). Other than that it was a nice car to drive ... and it was parked only a couple of minutes walk from the counter!</font>

DO you attribute this to your PC status? I have to say, Hertz seem to be only company at DUB with any interesting cars. Seems like the others all have the usual bland Mundano and 406 fleets.

Also, I thought you were going to rent a Beemer or a Merc? Didn't you mention being able to secure some decent savings by calling the office directly?

I would attribute the Saab to my PC status ... I think I got a double upgrade! As for the BMW or the Merc .. that was original intention. But I had to shorten my trip by a day and was only going to be there from Friday afternoon to Monday lunchtime using the car in Dublin rather going down the country. So I opted to pay 106 Euros for the intermediate knowing I would get an upgrade rather than 234 Euros for the luxury (BMW/Mercedes) and save the difference for the pub http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. When I go over for longer or a different occasion, I will check the rates on www.hertz.ie (http://www.hertz.ie) for special offers and then phone reservations in Dublin rather than booking it here in the US so I can get a better rate on a BMW/Merc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ijgordon:
Yeah, who really cares about these upgrades, since just about the only non-Prestige Collection car I don't mind driving is the Taurus. Or maybe the rare instance when I get a Toyota Camry or Mazda 626. Everything else is either embarrassing (Hey there Grandpa in the Grand Marquis!) or doesn't drive well.


[This message has been edited by ijgordon (edited Jan 03, 2004).]</font>


Compared to a Taurus, a Grand Marquis is bigger, more powerful, faster, roomier and more comfortable. What do you have against these features? It is very close to a Town Car. Maybe you could learn something from your Grandpa!

As a new PC member, I woul;d be thrilled with this upgrade.

As a PC who rents from either IAD or DCA every week (and has been doing so since June 2002), I have never been successful in getting a premium and very rarely received any type of special treatment. Out of the fleet and of what I've been able to drive, I believe my favorite car is the Altima. When I was talking to the girls last Friday, I believe they said that Hertz might not even be getting the new 2004 Maximas. Maybe I'll hold onto this car for a little bit, I hate driving the taurus and the sables.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dbk10:
...
When I was talking to the girls last Friday, I believe they said that Hertz might not even be getting the new 2004 Maximas. ...</font>

I was talking to a manager at the Hertz IAH and he said that they will be getting the '04 Maxima, but it will be a premium instead of full size like the '03. They said that they will be better equipped than the current '03 models.

Some Calif locations are doing the Buick Rendavouz as an upgrade from intermediate for PC's

Hmmm...I always thought PC was worth having, based on my Boss's experience. He always seems to luck out and be given Jaguars, etc...I have seen it happen numerous times! I just thought it was because he was PC. BTW he prefers Crowne Victorias and requests them specifically, so perhaps thats why he always gets the Prestige cars? Or is he just lucky? He does have a TON of rentals. Instead of taking a car service home from the airport, he rents one way and uses a drop off near his house. Cheaper, and lots of rentals.



[This message has been edited by Pointfreak! (edited Jan 20, 2004).]

I just made PC this year. So far they have always upgraded as advertised. This week I got an upgrade from a Full Size to a Lincoln LS.

The car is nice, but take lots of gas.

I rent every day of the year (except in rare circumstances) from Hertz. I had over 80 rentals last year. I can report 1 upgrade to a prestege class vehicle. About 5 to a lincoln town car (rides like a car on ice!). 98% of my rentals are crown vic/grand MQ... and thats okay with me.

Just a thought and I hope I do not regret sharing this. When I was a Gold member in 99-00, I asked them to put a request for imports on my profile. It worked about 75% of the time, mostly getting Mazda 626s.
I have just recently rejoined gold and have worked my way up to 5*. Until this thread, I had forgot about the import request. I am going to call and ask to put it back on.
I'll let you know what they say.

I have no Grand Marquis in my profile. Usually works but this week, I had a beauty of a grand marquis sitting in my spot. Short on time i had to take it. Man do I hate those cars, I'll take a Taurus any day.

I rent Premium as a matter of course, unless I get an insanely good deal on a Taurus (like $14 a day, last weekend).

I drive anywhere from 150-300 miles (all highway) and with the crap roads we have in WA and OR, the ride of the Vic/GM is just so much better. I also like the climate control and the quieter cabin for my CD listening. And it's nice to carry five people in complete comfort.

Mind you, anytime I can extract an Avalon XLS from SEA, I do so. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by divaof travel:

Compared to a Taurus, a Grand Marquis is bigger, more powerful, faster, roomier and more comfortable. What do you have against these features?</font>

Reasons I don't like the CV or Grand Marquis or Town Car and would prefer a Taurus:

- No "dead pedal" for your left foot in the rear drivers.
- Combination of no dead pedal to push off of and slippery leather makes it tiring to drive for extended distances because your butt keeps sliding forward
- Lame lumbar support
- Radio controls hard to reach and nothing to rest your arm on while manually scanning stations
- As pointed out by others, flabby, imprecise, out-of-control feel
- Huge gasoline bills
- Difficult to park in parking garages

i always reserve intermediate, and through the second half of last year, i was in a rut of taurus after taurus after taurus. but lately, i seem to be getting newer and better vehicles -- ford escape, cadillac deville, brand new camry, another brand new camry, and a new chevy trailblazer.

and at DFW and ATL, that close-in spot does make a difference!