Hertz - Why are Sydney & Auckland so expensive?

The cheapest rate I could get for 8 days in Sydney is ~$235 USD. Auckland for 10 days is ~$452 USD. Is that normal or is Hertz just really expensive? Also, is it confirmed that we cannot earn ZE1 points for international rentals? Thanks!

you can't earn ZE1 points for international rentals, that's right.

When I was in NZ this past fall, I had an expensive Hertz reservation lined up.... and ended up cancelling it in favor of a much more favorable rate from a NZ-only car rental place called APEX. Shop around! Hertz is convienent, but you can easily beat the rates.

When I was in NZ this past fall, I had an expensive Hertz reservation lined up.... and ended up cancelling it in favor of a much more favorable rate from a NZ-only car rental place called APEX. Shop around! Hertz is convienent, but you can easily beat the rates.

That's a good idea! Does anyone know of any other cheaper local car rental companies in Sydney, Fiji, or Auckland?

Here is the website for APEX in New Zealand. --> http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/

They didn't have a desk at the airport I flew into in Christchurch, but a rep met me at baggage claim and we did the paperwork at the car outside in the car park area. That part seemed a bit dodgy to me, but once I got into the car and took off, everything went smoothly. I turned the car in at their office near the ferry terminal in Nelson. Check their rates out. I'm confident they'll beat Hertz NZ. :)

In Sydney try these guys.
www.bayswatercarrental.com.au
They are dirt cheap and have new cars
They have also been around for many years

Only drawback is they are based in the city and not at the airport.

The cheapest rate I could get for 8 days in Sydney is ~$235 USD. Auckland for 10 days is ~$452 USD. Is that normal or is Hertz just really expensive? Also, is it confirmed that we cannot earn ZE1 points for international rentals? Thanks!

That AKL rates for 10 days seems about normal for local rentals.

Thank you so much for the helpful info! ^ Apex & Bayswater were much cheaper...seems very trustworthy.

Thanks for the info.

Basic insurance is included in those prices, which probably adds to the cost.

Your U.S. insurance won't work down under.

Basic insurance is included in those prices, which probably adds to the cost.

Your U.S. insurance won't work down under.

What about paying w/Diners or Amex? That insurance should work, right?

When I was in NZ this past fall, I had an expensive Hertz reservation lined up.... and ended up cancelling it in favor of a much more favorable rate from a NZ-only car rental place called APEX. Shop around! Hertz is convienent, but you can easily beat the rates.
Apex is one of the larger domestic car rental places in New Zealand. When you get there, just grab a pamphlet. Most of them will seem sketchy compared to Avis or Hertz but you will get a decent car at a very low price. It may be a manual, though.

Keep in mind for NZ rentals that most don't let you take the car across the Interislander. Given the fee to take a car it's usually cheaper to get a new rental in Picton anyway.

Apex is one of the larger domestic car rental places in New Zealand. When you get there, just grab a pamphlet. Most of them will seem sketchy compared to Avis or Hertz but you will get a decent car at a very low

Hertz international affiliates seem to have a lot of manual cars as well.

I was mentally prepared to do manual (I actually like them better!), but the car I got from Apex was automatic.

Apex is one of the larger domestic car rental places in New Zealand. When you get there, just grab a pamphlet. Most of them will seem sketchy compared to Avis or Hertz but you will get a decent car at a very low price. It may be a manual, though.

Keep in mind for NZ rentals that most don't let you take the car across the Interislander. Given the fee to take a car it's usually cheaper to get a new rental in Picton anyway.

I looked at Apex & I thought that they let you return the car & pick a new one up (on same rental) on the other side? That was a benefit to me, to save on the car transport fee.

I rented with Apex in Christchurch, in December 2003, and took the car on an epic 9 day trek around the South Island that put a LOT of km's on that little Nissan Pulsar. (Automatic)

It was great. Apex was not the flashy operation that one expects from the typical North American rental joint, but they were great. I returned the car at the ferry point back to the North Island, no problem. They are happy to have you pick up another car on the other side of the ferry trip if you're continuing. I didn't do this, but it seems very straightforward.

I wouldn't hesitate to rent with them again!

e

What about paying w/Diners or Amex? That insurance should work, right?

Well, AmEx (at least AmEx Blue)'s coverage is not valid in Australia. So, I'm very glad they declined my charge and I put it on the MC instead.

Now that we've revised our plans a bit, we are also going to fly to MEL. Anyone know of a good & inexpensive car rental company? It doesn't appear that Bayswater rents cars in Melbourne. Thx!

What about paying w/Diners or Amex? That insurance should work, right?

Amex insurance is not valid in New Zealand (or Italy or some other countries I believe). But it should be OK in Australia. I believe the NZ issue is that local laws make insurance coverage mandatory so its already included in the basic rates.

Amex insurance is not valid in New Zealand (or Italy or some other countries I believe). But it should be OK in Australia. I believe the NZ issue is that local laws make insurance coverage mandatory so its already included in the basic rates.
No, Amex insurance is NOT valid in Australia!!

I just looked at the Apex website and the rates don't seem very cheap, especially since some of the quotes are for very old cars.

Anywhere else to look for better rates in New Zealand (South Island) and Australia (Sydney and Queensland)? Any discount codes to use?

In Sydney try these guys.
www.bayswatercarrental.com.au
They are dirt cheap and have new cars
They have also been around for many years

Only drawback is they are based in the city and not at the airport.

Bayswatercarrental (or 'no birds' as they are called on the street) also charge per km and if your driving a long distance you will find they are very expensive.

Personally I tend to find Thrifty the cheapest of the big boys in Australia.

Amex insurance is not valid in New Zealand (or Italy or some other countries I believe). But it should be OK in Australia. I believe the NZ issue is that local laws make insurance coverage mandatory so its already included in the basic rates.

I suspect the Kia (a native bird in NZ) has a lot to answer for.

I've found Hertz to be pretty reasonable in NZ, about NZ$50-60/day, including all taxes, for a Mazda 6 automatic. Use the UA FF CDP, it seems to work better than AAA CDPs (10% off vs 5%).

I've found Hertz to be pretty reasonable in NZ, about NZ$50-60/day, including all taxes, for a Mazda 6 automatic. Use the UA FF CDP, it seems to work better than AAA CDPs (10% off vs 5%).
"UA FF CDP," what be that? Is it some Mileage Plus benefit? Must you have something in hand to get the 10% off or just ask for the discount?

It's the discount code (062455) for United Airlines frequent flier members. I've never been asked for my United Mileage Plus card when using it, though I suppose they could ask you in theory. Might as well just join the program, doesn't cost you anything.

Anywhere else to look for better rates in New Zealand (South Island) and Australia (Sydney and Queensland)? Any discount codes to use?

There's a few discounts available for Australia and NZ on hertz.com:

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/specialoffers/index.jsp?targetPage=specialOffersPerCategoryView. jsp&Category=U&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_2_7

Also, when I rented in Australia previously, another FTer had mentioned the Qantas CDP (297302) as a way to knock a few percent off...

It's the discount code (062455) for United Airlines frequent flier members. I've never been asked for my United Mileage Plus card when using it, though I suppose they could ask you in theory. Might as well just join the program, doesn't cost you anything.
No effect on the quote of 399NZD/week with that discount code (062455) or the Qantas one (297302), nor does promo code (PC#982645) which is supposed to get one $20 off for a minimum rental of 5 days. Are these codes no good or am I doing something wrong when I enter them?

Posts about codes the bring significant discounts led me to believe there were discounts to be had. But maybe most are for USA rentals, and no substantial discounts to be had in Australia and NZ. Hertz seems to be marginally cheaper than the other majors, and presumably no worries of getting an old, beat up car with them. Websites for non-majors do not give confidence about what one will get when they show up at the rental location.

Have you tried the AAA/NRMA code (74155)? I find this code usually gives me a better price than the QF code or PC code.

OK, now I am beginning to get it. The reservationist says that the price quoted for the rental remains the same with PC#982645, but one gets the $20 off (NZD, not USD?) when they pick up the car and present the coupon (print it from webpage?). Also, entering that AAA code doesn't change the price quotes one sees for different classes of cars, but it gets one upgraded to the next higher class, so one can rent at the rate for a class down (thus $792NZD for a Mazda 6 x 12 days becomes $738).

$792NZD to $718NZD is not a huge savings, but almost a 10% discount, which I expect is as good as I am going to do (unless someone knows a CDP or PC that will bring a greater discount). $74NZD should cover a decent meal for two in ZQN, CHC, or somewhere in between, shouldn't it? (BTW, anyone know what gas runs these days in NZ?)

Unleaded is around $1.43/ltr in urban areas, maybe slightly more in rural towns.

Recently announced, if you buy $40 or more of groceries from most big supermarkets (would be useful to pick up snacks, fruit, etc. for road trips), you get 4c/ltr off. This scheme starts next Monday. Different supermarkets are aligned with different gas stations though, but I think the savings are the same.