Hertz - complimentary downgrade

what experiences have hertz renters had getting a smaller car than they reserved without being charged the rate for the smaller car?

i prefer an economy car so i can get better fuel economy, have more parking options, etc. since many discounts are only applicable to larger vehicle classes, however, compact or intermediate cars often price lower than economy. if i request an economy car at the gold counter, will they charge me the higher economy rate?

thanks.

what experiences have hertz renters had getting a smaller car than they reserved without being charged the rate for the smaller car?

i prefer an economy car so i can get better fuel economy, have more parking options, etc. since many discounts are only applicable to larger vehicle classes, however, compact or intermediate cars often price lower than economy. if i request an economy car at the gold counter, will they charge me the higher economy rate?

thanks.

It's a rather odd request, but I don't see why they wouldn't do it. Just say something like "I'm thinking about buying one and want to test drive it first..." if they start asking questions.

If they won't do it, ask for a Mazda 6. Those things are small and get good mileage. Hertz considers them a "mid-size" car. (I ask for these when I'm going for a long roadtrip either by myself or with 1 other person.)

At BUF I reserved a Premium and received a Full-Size (YF Taurus) while still paying the higher Premium rate and not the lower Full-Size rate.

Does that count? :D

At BUF I reserved a Premium and received a Full-Size (YF Taurus) while still paying the higher Premium rate and not the lower Full-Size rate.

Does that count? :D


I am PC and reserved a fullsize at STL this past saturday. When I arrive, there is an intermediate Escape SUV sitting there.

Why would they think a PC would accept an intermediate SUV on a fullsize res, blows my mind!

I downgraded from the Taurus to a compact Focus today without any problems. The rate stayed the same. They didn't have any mid-size available at the time. I reserved compact.

Hertz always gives me brand new Taurus cars which get really lousy gas mileage and feel like they have no power. When you step on the gas, the AC gets warm.

I usually have success with this at Local Editions because the main reservation # just books cars without first checking or calling ahead to the LE to verify the availability.

Even better call the main # after you local edition is closed and the night before. Most LE's rely on the airport for their fleet and this places the LE in a tough position to fill the fleet they have.

When you step on the gas, the AC gets warm.

LOL! ^ :) :D :) :D ^

Some cars actually turn the A/C off when you use 3/4 throttle or more. That's probably what it is. The A/C is a big parasite on your engine, and especially so on 4 and 6 cylinder ones.

I am PC and reserved a fullsize at STL this past saturday. When I arrive, there is an intermediate Escape SUV sitting there.

Why would they think a PC would accept an intermediate SUV on a fullsize res, blows my mind!


Maybe someone ( a rookie) thought they were doing you a favor :D