Hertz - Changing car at counter?

Right now I am supposed to have a Mustang reserved at the Phoenix airport for this Thursday through Wednesday. However, with the change of the situation I now need to rent a car that seats 5 people. Does Hertz have a problem with just keeping the reservation the same and then changing it at the counter when I can see what they have in the lot? Would they let me chose a car on the lot and then just pay the difference? Would it be better to call the airport station and change it now? Anything else I should be aware of? Thanks for the help.

If you know you need a full-size, better to just call and change the reservation now.

While you are welcome to do it at the counter, if they don't have any cars available (or just high-end ones with expensive rates), then you're going to be stuck.

If you know you need a full-size, better to just call and change the reservation now.

While you are welcome to do it at the counter, if they don't have any cars available (or just high-end ones with expensive rates), then you're going to be stuck.


Thanks for the reply. Couple questions. First, should I call the Phoenix airport or just the general 800 line? I was thinking if I called the Phoenix airport then they would have a better idea of what cars they have and I might be able to request a certain car if they knew they were going to have it. I am using that promotion if you rent 4 days you get the 5th day free and because of that, through the website I cannot request a specific car like a Camry since requesting a specific car is also considered a promotion. So do you think I'd be able to request a certain model if they have it and also use that 5th day free promotion? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the reply. Couple questions. First, should I call the Phoenix airport or just the general 800 line? I was thinking if I called the Phoenix airport then they would have a better idea of what cars they have and I might be able to request a certain car if they knew they were going to have it. I am using that promotion if you rent 4 days you get the 5th day free and because of that, through the website I cannot request a specific car like a Camry since requesting a specific car is also considered a promotion. So do you think I'd be able to request a certain model if they have it and also use that 5th day free promotion? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for all the help.

I would just call the 800 number. They might be able to add a request to your reservation.

The people at the airport probably won't know what they have until a few hours before you get there.

I think a Camry is a YF (specialty full size), so they might charge you an upgrade fee for it.

You're at PHX? Man, tell them to get you into one of those new FXs for free! LOL! :D

First, should I call the Phoenix airport or just the general 800 line?

Call the 800 line and reserve a full-size now. They might be able to code a Camry for you right then and there, and if not, ask them to note in your rental record that is what you would like, if possible.

The day before you arrive, call the PHX station and ask them if they have any Camrys (though with five folks, I'd recommend the Chevy Impala - more interior room, more cargo room, and peppier engine) and, if so, can they try and assign one to you.


I think a Camry is a YF (specialty full size), so they might charge you an upgrade fee for it.

You can now select them at locations that allow you to "pick your car", so maybe they are now considered part of the regular F fleet. I'm an Impala LS man, myself, so that is what I note in my RR as my preferred type.

Call the 800 line and reserve a full-size now. They might be able to code a Camry for you right then and there, and if not, ask them to note in your rental record that is what you would like, if possible.

I called the 800 line last night to change, but the prices have gone up some $60 so I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that or try to rent from an offsite location and save some money. So I said I'd call back. Well I decided to make the change and I just did a modification online. I just called in to the 800 line to confirm the change and remove the request I had in the remarks section and everything was fine.

What is Hertz policy if they do not have the car class you requested? The reason I ask is because when I called PHX last night the gal wasn't sure if they would have any full-size left and I could check with the 800 line. Since my modification went through I would think that one would be available, but if it isn't what do they do? I always thought most companies would bump you up a class, but how far do they go? I'm a #1 Gold member if that makes a difference. Thanks.

In general, if Hertz does not have your car class, they will bump you up if they can.

If they have to downgrade you, they will re-calculate the rate at the lower level and usually you can get a free rental day cert of something from Hertz.

why don't you do it online? my experience with the 800 number, in my numerous tries, always quote me a much higher rate than online

why don't you do it online? my experience with the 800 number, in my numerous tries, always quote me a much higher rate than online

I did make the modification online after I called the 800 line to get quotes. They ended up being the same rates anyways. Then I called the 800 line to confirm that the modification went through.