Hertz - Hertz rental levels explained

Originally Posted by SEA_Tigger
Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals, spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after every fifteen rentals.
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals, spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after every fifteen rentals.

Thank you safetymom! Could you also please list the phone number to call?

For Local Reservations:
Phone Number: 800-654-3131

For International Reservations:
Phone Number: 800-654-3001

Additional Service Numbers:
Extending a Current Rental: 800-654-4174
Billing Information: 800-654-4173
Hearing Impaired(TDD): 800-654-2280
Customer Relations: 888-777-6095
Web Assistance: 877-826-8782

Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz. Your car is brought to you by the Station Manager and they drop you off at the terminal and then take the car back to the lot. Upgrades are automatic and usually to whatever you want that they have.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals (US) / 20 rentals (CDN), spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals (US), spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).

Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz. Your car is brought to you by the Station Manager and they drop you off at the terminal and then take the car back to the lot. Upgrades are automatic and usually to whatever you want that they have.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals (US) / 20 rentals (CDN), spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals (US), spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).


It has been my recent experience that Hertz does not automatically upgrade your account to the next status during the calendar year without a phone call. I called Hertz after my 11th rental this calendar year and was told by a rude representative that I had to have 12 rentals for 5-Star and they would make the decision when I was upgraded. Later, after my 15th rental, I spoke with a sympathetic representative who immediately upgraded my status. I think it is beneficial to call until you get the right person.

Just made 12 rentals and asked the german Hertz to urgrade me. (The level to 5* is 10 in Germany) Got a standard reply that I will receive my card next April :confused:

Hertz will indeed not automatically upgrade you to achieved status prior to the following calendar year unless you call/write/e-mail.

For US members, the status is usually updated immediately without issue.

UK members have reported that Hertz will not update their status until the following calendar year. It now appears that this applies to German ones, as well. You can try again and see if another agent will do it.

Well, the agents responsible for germany sit in Ireland, so the UK rule should apply to all of Europe, I guess :td:

I just wrote them a nice email that I hold top status with Europcar and Sixt and rented Hertz 20 times since joing the Gold programme in October. If they don't value my business and only give a status card 10 months after I have achieved to new level, I will keep that in mind the next time I have a choice ;)

It has been my recent experience that Hertz does not automatically upgrade your account to the next status during the calendar year without a phone call. I called Hertz after my 11th rental this calendar year and was told by a rude representative that I had to have 12 rentals for 5-Star and they would make the decision when I was upgraded. Later, after my 15th rental, I spoke with a sympathetic representative who immediately upgraded my status. I think it is beneficial to call until you get the right person.

I got the same surley "why are you bothering" attitude.

I had to fight several times to get my account upgraded to Pres. Circle.

Hang up, redial, & get some one niceer.

What BS! Sorry, who's the customer?

I just wrote them a nice email that I hold top status with Europcar and Sixt and rented Hertz 20 times since joing the Gold programme in October. If they don't value my business and only give a status card 10 months after I have achieved to new level, I will keep that in mind the next time I have a choice ;)

Received a 5* gold card in the mail last week. No letter, no comment, only the card. It seems my threat was listened to... ;) ^

Received a 5* gold card in the mail last week. No letter, no comment, only the card. It seems my threat was listened to... ;) ^

That's odd...I requested my 5* after attaining 12 rentals this year. It took a while for the materials to come in the mail (maybe 2 months?), but they arrived yesterday, including a certificate for a free rental day! I was not expecting a free day, so I was thrilled!

Stevekoe

I believe Hertz President Circle is 40 rentals OR 40 nights. At least that is what was posted in another thread earlier. I'm renting a Hertz car for a month soon, so even though I stopped travelling it looks like I'll be able to keep some 'status' for a little bit longer. $1000/month for a fullsize car after taxes and fees. Probably should lease instead!

I believe Hertz President Circle is 40 rentals OR 40 nights.

Has this changed recently? I know when the program started, I had to do the full 40 rentals. I had 120-ish paid rental days. And I know there have been threads here from folks who generate a ton of revenue (say, $4k-5k over 150-200 days) and are only Five Star.

Everything I've seen says you need 40 rentals or $7k revenue. In fairness, it seems that it should be days or simply dollars, as the idea of a "rental" isn't a meaningful unit of measure. But I hadn't heard that Hertz had tweaked the program to make this so.

BTW, if anyone is looking for the phone number for Hertz CS in Oklahoma City, in order to have your 5* or PC membership "manually" updated (so you don't have to wait 'til next calendar year), I believe this is the number:

405-775-3180

:cool:

So far this year, I have about 100 days of rental all together. Each of my 1 rental is average about 25 to 30 days each. I'm at about $5,000 in revenue (before rental taxes etc) so far and some of them are the Prestige collection cars.

I spoke to a regular Hertz rep in OK, they told me that 100 days of rental so far this year is nothing, $5,000 is still not even close to it in a very rude voice. I love Hertz the most but that was an answer.

I was going to give it another try........

Thanks,

I spoke to a regular Hertz rep in OK, they told me that 100 days of rental so far this year is nothing, $5,000 is still not even close to it in a very rude voice.

Sorry, close to what? Are you trying to get a status level?

This is the same thing that gets me on hotel programs too. If I rent a car on Monday and bring it back on Tuesday at 9:00, then rent another car on Tuesday at 9:01 and bring it back Wednesday at 9:00, etc for a business week, that's 4 rentals. If I rent the car on Monday and then bring it back Friday, that's one rental. :td:

Here's where I don't follow: My rental might cost me a little more if I turn it in everyday, but not as much more as it costs the rental company in time/labor/etc, so, other than the fact that no one's enough of a points/miles/etc junkie to do this, why not count days except to limit the number of elites in a program? :confused:

It's funny, because the airlines usually award status based on either miles or legs, which makes more sense. The person that makes two transcons a month and the person that makes the 300 mile up and back in a day trip twice a week are both going to get status. ^

Ok, enough Friday afternoon rambling...

[QUOTE=SEA_Tigger]Hertz will indeed not automatically upgrade you to achieved status prior to the following calendar year unless you call/write/e-mail.

For US members, the status is usually updated immediately without issue.[QUOTE]

Two bits of information in this thread that seems to be lacking but perhaps is understood to other folks in here is (a) the rental activity for 5* and PC are per calendar year and (b) activity is reviewed annually in January for the prior year's activity. Or at least that's the story I just got from Hertz customer service.

I was informed that although have 24 paid rentals YTD, I will not be upgraded to 5* (or PC if I get to 40 by 12/31) until January.

Is this another case of hanging up and calling back to try to get to a different agent to upgrade me? Seems silly that they don't follow the lead of airlines - you get the status immediately upon meeting the criteria.

How much luck have people had with 5 star upgrades? Would that 1 class upgrade be in addition to promos (1X or 2X upgrades)?

I'll get my 10 eventually, but I wondered if the perks are good enough to force it now and then and pay an extra $10 for a Hertz car to build status when another company is a little cheaper. Usually I do pretty well with the coupons I find here (20% CDP + upgrade codes), so my question s boils down to - does 5* mean a darn thing if I'm already using an upgrade 90% of the time anyway?

Two bits of information in this thread that seems to be lacking but perhaps is understood to other folks in here is (a) the rental activity for 5* and PC are per calendar year and (b) activity is reviewed annually in January for the prior year's activity. Or at least that's the story I just got from Hertz customer service.

I was informed that although have 24 paid rentals YTD, I will not be upgraded to 5* (or PC if I get to 40 by 12/31) until January.

Is this another case of hanging up and calling back to try to get to a different agent to upgrade me? Seems silly that they don't follow the lead of airlines - you get the status immediately upon meeting the criteria.

I think so -- after achieving both my 10th and 40th rental, I called Hertz CS at the number I listed on the first page, and they manually updated my status. I got my cards for the respective levels several weeks later...

QUOTE=kharjan

I'm surprised that there's no mid-point level between 5* & PC with Hertz. I'll hit 20 rentals this year and I feel that there should be a midpoint status level!

BTW, if anyone is looking for the phone number for Hertz CS in Oklahoma City, in order to have your 5* or PC membership "manually" updated (so you don't have to wait 'til next calendar year), I believe this is the number:

405-775-3180

:cool:

I called this number after waiting on hold almost 10 minutes at the toll free number. They answered almost immediately. The woman was very friendly and upgraded my status instantly. She let me know that I would get a new card and a package in the mail. The card may take several weeks because they only mail out cards and packages once a month, according to the rep.

Thanks for the number, prashok. ^

How much luck have people had with 5 star upgrades? Would that 1 class upgrade be in addition to promos (1X or 2X upgrades)?

I'll get my 10 eventually, but I wondered if the perks are good enough to force it now and then and pay an extra $10 for a Hertz car to build status when another company is a little cheaper. Usually I do pretty well with the coupons I find here (20% CDP + upgrade codes), so my question s boils down to - does 5* mean a darn thing if I'm already using an upgrade 90% of the time anyway?

Pretty late in replying to this but i am going to do it anyways in case someone else has this question.

As 5* my upgrades have been 100% and i rent mostly from ORD, MSP, MKE, STL and sometimes DTW (home base when no one can come to pick me up :( lol ). corporate agent reserves C and i pick up an F without using any upgrade codes or sometimes i modify the reservation to F and use an upgrade code and it usually means i pick up an SUV/4WD. Sometimes you might have to swap the type of F they upgrade to automatically but they are very consistent with the upgrades.

I think that Hertz doesnt want to publicize 5* a whole lot and i dont understand why. I have always seen #1 Gold and PC but i never saw anything about 5* anywhere else but FT. Since most people are unaware of this level, they dont go for that extra 2-3 rentals which can qualify them for 5 star for rest of that year and the subsequent year. So number of 5 star members are relatively less and upgrades really work. They should incorporate a 10% ZE1 bonus points for 5* members but i think upgrade is the only benefit at this level or am i getting too greedy :D

i agree with bhatnasx. There should be a nice intermediate level, 20 rentals, with perhaps a 15% ZE1 bonus and guaranteed upgrades. And instead of the station manager, they can send someone from the Gold Counter to pick us up and drop us at the terminal. OK now i am really digressing ...or not ... :o

BTW, if anyone is looking for the phone number for Hertz CS in Oklahoma City, in order to have your 5* or PC membership "manually" updated (so you don't have to wait 'til next calendar year), I believe this is the number:

405-775-3180

:cool:

Thanks!

Just called Hertz CS to inquire about 5* status and got bumped up one rental early. I thought my rental last week put me over the top, but apparently I'm using that new math. She did ask whether I expected to rent at least once more before the year is up, which I do.

My first taste of status. ^ :)

Is the "taste of status" for 5* really that great?

I mean it's an upgrade if available. I also now have 5*, but I was already getting upgrades before, so I don't expect a big change.

Of course it's not "that great" as it is an intermediate status. It is not much use for my already-very-upgraded HLE rentals (B->U last week, as an example), but I will appreciate it for my upcoming airport rentals.

Of course it's not "that great" as it is an intermediate status. It is not much use for my already-very-upgraded HLE rentals (B->U last week, as an example), but I will appreciate it for my upcoming airport rentals.

I;ve been wondering, What is HLE? And why do you call it an "airport rental?"

What is the significance of HLE and airport?

Thanks for the education!

HLE is Hertz Local Edition. Basically a local Hertz office whose rentals are not encumbered by ridiculous airport taxes. More information is available here:

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/byr/index.jsp?targetPage=HertzSuburbanLocations.jsp&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_3_5_1&region=United%2520States

I make the distinction between HLE and airport (renting from the airport Hertz office) because it is easier in my opinion to build a relationship with HLE staff (and get B->U upgrades ^ ) than it is at the airport.

I rent almost every week, and usually find my car in the President's Circle, but I do not receive any bonus.

It is odd that they do not post the requirements, or that I might have to call to request. :confused:

Just made 12 rentals and asked the german Hertz to urgrade me. (The level to 5* is 10 in Germany) Got a standard reply that I will receive my card next April :confused:

I believe that this is a very detrimental policy for Hertz. I called several times after reaching 40 rentals last October to be upgraded from 5 star to Pres Circle. Every agent admitted that I had enough rental's but stated that status upgrades don't happen until the following April. I moved all my business over to Avi Preferred Select for the next 6 1/2 months until I received my Pres Circle card in May. At that point I reevaluated programs and almost stayed with Avis. I usually rent 4 days a week in multiple cities each week.

Bottom line: I stayed with Hertz because it is a superior product, but why Hertz decidedly relinquishes business and opens the door to the competition is beyond me.

As 5* my upgrades have been 100% and i rent mostly from ORD, MSP, MKE, STL and sometimes DTW (home base when no one can come to pick me up :( lol ). corporate agent reserves C and i pick up an F without using any upgrade codes

Not sure what you mean, how do you "pick up" an F when Corp Agent reserves a C? Isn't that a double upgrade?

Not sure what you mean, how do you "pick up" an F when Corp Agent reserves a C? Isn't that a double upgrade?

Is a double upgrade bad jim? :D

I guess its a combination of status,CDP and frequent renting from ORD/MSP/DTW hertz. i obviously have subsequently managed to jinx myself as i was given a Toyota Corolla at COS recently saying that its a special midsize and hence an upgrade. ROFL. :D Of course i found lots and lots of full size and suvs etc in the parking lot standing the test of weather.

5* isnt very bad really. ^

Not sure what you mean, how do you "pick up" an F when Corp Agent reserves a C? Isn't that a double upgrade?

As a 5*, this happens to me all the time. For personal travel, I usually rent a compact or, if I need NL, I'll rent a midsize & for business travel, I always rent midsizes & seem to get upgraded. My past 6 rentals (all after hitting 5*) I've gotten either Toyota Solaras (twice), Camry, Ford Expeditions (and that was after renting a midsize - but it was because it was the only Neverlost car they had left in PSP), or a Mazda 6 (twice).

I don't know if its luck or status, but either way, I'm not complaining!

Thanks to this thread, I'd found out that I qualified for 5 Star this year, and I was looking through the newly designed (and not so easy to navigate) website, and found the following pertaining to 5 Star and Prez Circle membership:

Q: What is the timeframe for which my rentals qualify me for either Five Star or President's Circle?
A: Any qualifying rental by a #1 Club Gold member that occurs between January 1 and December 31 will be tallied and used towards qualification of Five Star and President's Circle. If a rental begins on December 28 and ends on January 5, you will receive credit in the year in which the rental ends.

Q: Can I expect to receive either Five Star or President's Circle service outside of the United States or Canada?
A: Yes, you will be able to find Five Star or President's Circle at these airport locations outside of the U.S. and Canada: Australia: Blackwater, Brisbane, Cairns, Coolangatta, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Townsville, Canberra, Belmont, Sydney, Williamtown, Melbourne, Adelaide, Karratha, Kalgoorlie, Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Launceston; France: Orly, Roissy, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse-Blagnac, Bordeaux-Merignac, Paris St. Ferdinand; Germany: Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Suesseldorf, Munich, Berlin; United Kingdom: Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, Edinburgh; Italy: Rome-Fiumicino, Milan-Linate, Malpensa; Spain: Madrid, Barcelona; Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva; Netherlands: Amsterdam-Schipol. You will also find Five Star and President's Circle services at these Hertz franchise locations outside the U.S. and Canada: South Africa: Johannesburg; Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg; Austria: Vienna; Finland: Helsinki; Greece: Athens; Ireland: Dublin, Israel: Tel Aviv; Portugal: Lisbon.

Q: Can I pay a fee to become a member of Five Star or President's Circle?
A: No, membership is earned by a #1 Club Gold member who completes the required amount of #1 Club Gold rental transactions during the qualification period. #1 Club Gold Membership is available to anyone with a $50 annual fee requirement.

Q: How will I know if I've received my 25% bonus on my #1 Awards Points?
A: On a quarterly basis, the #1 Awards Statements are mailed out and if you are a President's Circle member, you will see the 25% bonus points on that statement. In the event that you do not agree with the statement amount, please call us at 1-888-999-4900.

Q: When do I receive my Free Rental Days?
A: After you have completed the qualified number of rental transactions necessary within the qualification period, you will automatically be sent a Free Rental Day Certificate.

Q: How often will I receive Five Star and President's Circle Special Coupon Offers?
A: These special offer coupons will be sent to our Five Star or President's Circle members periodically throughout the year either through mail or e-mail.

Q: Why can't I get 25% bonus on my miles?
A: The #1 Awards program is managed by Hertz and therefore, we are able to offer the 25% bonus to President's Circle members. The 25% bonus on Hertz #1 Awards Points is offered only to President's Circle members as a bonus. #1 Awards Points can be converted into many frequent traveler programs for redemption. We do periodically have joint mileage bonus promotions with our airline and hotel partners. Check our Special Offers for details.

Q: What kind of Special Offers will I receive?
A: We'll periodically send out Special Offers containing discounts off of Hertz Rentals and periodically special offers from some of our Travel Partners.

Q: What is a qualifying rental?
A: For the purposes of obtaining rentals that are credited towards Five Star or President's Circle membership or for Free Rental Day Certificates; A qualifying rental is a rental transaction that is paid for by the customer and where your #1 Club Gold number is provided. Any rental transaction that is made entirely with the use of a Free Day Coupon will not be counted as a "qualifying rental" for the purpose of obtaining credit towards membership or other Free Day Coupons.

Q: Can I combine multiple Free Day Certificate for one rental?
A: For President's Circle members only, Free Rental Day Certificates can be combined up to 3 days. Free Rental Day Certificates may be used and combined during blackout periods subject to the following minimum rental periods; 2 paid rental days required for 1 free rental day; 4 paid rental days required for 2 free rental days; 6 paid rental days required for 3 free rental days. For Five Star members, a Free Rental Day Certificate may be used in conjunction with a longer rental, but may not be combined with any other Free Rental Day Certificate, nor may they be used during the blackout events that are listed in the "Qualifications & Requirements" section.

If the tiers were easier to understand they may be incentive to members to work "harder" to earn them..... seems odd the tiers are not very obviously published..... :confused:

With 12 rentals totaling 162 days, and an unknown amount of revenue (likely ~$5k), I called Hertz Gold Customer Service about upgrading to Five Star or President's Circle. The gentleman quickly looked at my account and upgraded me to Five Star, but said that while he couldn't reveal all the President's Circle qualification criteria, I was "not even close."

I had several other questions concerning Gold service and international rentals, and, as we proceeded to talk, I kept mentioning that looking only at number of rentals isn't a good way of determining elite status. With airlines, I can qualify for elite status using either miles or segments, and with hotels I can qualify using nights or stays. Why should Hertz be any different? I rent for months at a time, with my rentals automatically "re-started" every 30 days, capping my possible rentals at 12-13 even if I rented 365 days per year.

With that comment, the CSR looked up the number of days I had on a different screen, and remarked that, hey, 162 days should be enough (apparently he hadn't paid much attention to my comments about number of days when he initially said I was "no where close"). The rep said he needed to talk to his supervisor, and then came back and upgraded me to President's Circle on the spot. He mentioned I may be automatically kicked back to Five Star in February when an audit is done, but he'd annotated my account and I could call back to have President's Circle status reinstated.

Overall, a friendly, knowledgeable representative, and, while requiring some somewhat lengthy but pleasant discussion, I was able to get upgraded to President's Circle while being far shy of 40 rentals. Be persistent, and you too may succeed in getting President's Circle status (for whatever it's worth).

-m

I got a 5* Card this year with a letter, telling me that it is now possible being upgraded one class but in europe just to intermediate and only if avail. Are they kidding? I tend to rent full-size and hoping to get upgrades to premium even in europe. But from compact to intermediate it's just a difference of somewhat 5 $ a day.

If you rent sixt you nearly always get an upgrade...

So is it true that hertz has such a stupid upgrade-rule or do they give higher upgrades as well?

I got a 5* Card this year with a letter, telling me that it is now possible being upgraded one class but in europe just to intermediate and only if avail. Are they kidding? I tend to rent full-size and hoping to get upgrades to premium even in europe. But from compact to intermediate it's just a difference of somewhat 5 $ a day.

If you rent sixt you nearly always get an upgrade...

So is it true that hertz has such a stupid upgrade-rule or do they give higher upgrades as well?

Welcome to FT flylogic I find that Hertz can be more generous to 5* in US than Europe. Upgrades for Cars/hotels/Flights seems to me to be more of an automatic function in US than Europe.

I use whichever discount code/coupon gives me the best deal. Often I ask when booking if there are any specials. In the US if I book a car with neverlost I very often get a better class of car as they run out of mid size cars with neverlost very quickly.

I got a 5* Card this year with a letter, telling me that it is now possible being upgraded one class but in europe just to intermediate and only if avail. Are they kidding? I tend to rent full-size and hoping to get upgrades to premium even in europe. But from compact to intermediate it's just a difference of somewhat 5 $ a day.

If you rent sixt you nearly always get an upgrade...


stupid Hertz u/g rule in europe.
Always made good experiences with sixt, too. 100% u/g this year. Hertz just 6 out of 15, so not that good. Probably I`ll move all my rentals to sixt, at least in europe.

I have been Pres Circle for three years now and I can honestly say I have been very satisfied with Hertz. The best part is the mandatory upgrade.

Does anyone actually pay the $50 annual fee for gold membership? I have been gold for about 8 years now and never had to pay.

Does anyone actually pay the $50 annual fee for gold membership? I have been gold for about 8 years now and never had to pay.

I think it depends on where you signed. As far as I know you don't need to pay if you have just more then 3 rentals a year. I also never paid, being european based 5*

I'm torn as to 5*. Nothing is guaranteed with it. Many times I'll at least get the Y-upgrade if nothing else, but I'd say that for at least 10 of my 25 rentals I got nothing more than what I rented. While that doesn't sound so bad, I can't honestly say that it's much better than the years where I was just a plain #1 Gold.

For example, at a station like LHR, it didn't get me much traction when they didn't have the car I reserved available (an automatic Avensis with Sat Nav), and I had to insist I couldn't drive a standard gearbox before they were willing to upgrade me into a nicer car with auto and Sat Nav rather than downgrade me.

I'd prefer to see a level at 20 rentals that had something guaranteed about it rather than amorphous benefits of the current 5*.

Steve

I rent almost every week, and usually find my car in the President's Circle, but I do not receive any bonus.

It is odd that they do not post the requirements, or that I might have to call to request. :confused:

I am the opposite, as I have always been upgraded, but none of my rentals have been in the gold spots. For example in SYD downtown I have to go to the car park to level 5, SYD airport the car was parked up on the ramp and Horbart airport forgot my car even thou I rang a week before, asleast they rembered the upgraded car type i wanted.

I have been Pres Circle for three years now and I can honestly say I have been very satisfied with Hertz. The best part is the mandatory upgrade.

I'd fully agree, but the point is that mandatroy u/g will just get you from compact to intermediate and as flylogic suggests if you have a good rate that won't save much more than 5$. If you rent elsewhere than europe everything is fine. I changed all my european rentals to Sixt and I am quite happy that I did so.

I just called Hertz in Australia to inquire about my move to 5 Star status (as I had the requisite number of qualifying rentals in 2005), and was told that the qualifying year runs April to April. This seems at odds with everything on this board. Does anyone know whether this is something peculiar to Australia, or am I being given the runaround?

Thanks.

I ended up calling the Oklahoma City number and spoke with a very nice CSR who reviewed my account and said I would be entered as 5* immediately. So much for the Australian desk's "April to April" statement.

One thing to mention I think is that the 40 rentals criteria is the US basis and not the general requirement

UK and Australia , for example, require 30 rentals and I suspect that there are other places where differing requirements exist

5* is still 10 in these locations

Dave

I have been Pres Circle for three years now and I can honestly say I have been very satisfied with Hertz. The best part is the mandatory upgrade.

I have collected quite a few 250 FF mile bonus certificates because Hertz did not or could not upgrade me, so I don't know where the 'mandatory upgrade' is coming from :confused: :mad:

I'd fully agree, but the point is that mandatroy u/g will just get you from compact to intermediate and as flylogic suggests if you have a good rate that won't save much more than 5$. If you rent elsewhere than europe everything is fine. I changed all my european rentals to Sixt and I am quite happy that I did so.

In Australia I now book group D (full size) and always get upgraded to group F (luxury) as a PC member. This is the best value upgrade for me as on my contracted rate the differance between D & F is $23/day. I agree that on a mid size to full size on my rate the differance is $1.09/day. So not a worth while upgrade.
@:-)

One thing to mention I think is that the 40 rentals criteria is the US basis and not the general requirement

UK and Australia , for example, require 30 rentals and I suspect that there are other places where differing requirements exist

5* is still 10 in these locations

Dave

Dave
Do you know of anyone in Australia with Platinum status? My account manager tried for me but was told that it is only a US program. :confused:

I wanted to add to this thread by noting that:

Adelaide indeed has the Hertz #1 Gold and Presidents Club slots there, this at the downtown location and the airport location!

Don't know why the website missed it but they're there alright. Was in Adelaide for 2 weeks from Jan 11-25th and rented a car there for 5 days from Hertz. :)

Sanosuke!

Excellent customer service at the Oklahoma City call center today. They picked up on the first ring, and when I enquired about being raised to 5* following the return of my 10th rental, she said "of course she could help me with that".

She proceded to look up my record, and since I only returned my 10th car this morning (now in my 11th), my record only showed the 9 rentals. She made herself a note, and will check the system tomorrow, and upgrade me as soon as that 10th rental shows in the system.

She informed me that the new card and information would be sent out to me in that mail once that's updated.

Calling the Oklahoma City office was a great experience... thank you to whom ever found that number!

I just realized that I was PC last year and never knew it (I never got a new card), but I always had a PC upgrade.

I just realized that I was PC last year and never knew it (I never got a new card), but I always had a PC upgrade.
So at least you got the upgrades... and isn't this one of the most important perks?

I was shocked to get a PC card in the mail from Hertz today. I am trying to figure out how it happened.

I have been 5* for 4-5 years. There is no way I had 40 rentals last year, I probably spent around $4700 with Hertz last year. I guess if I do the math using a very liberal $65/day ($4700/$65=72). I can't imagine that I had 72 rental days, but I guess I did. I spent around 90 nights in hotels last year, so it is possible. I guess I will start tracking rental days.

There is nothing from Hertz saying anything other than 40 rentals. The PC welcome brochure said PC is for our best customers that rent 40x/year. Obviously they go by rental days as well. What that magic # is is a mystery. I do work for a company that is a big Hertz customer, maybe that played in as well. Who knows.

I was speaking to CS in england (i think they run the european lot out of ireland) and they mentioned that if you have rentals above a couple of weeks you can call them and they will note it down as 2/3 or more rentals depending on the length.

I'm thinking of (when i have the time) using a local office and breaking down one of my 2 week rentals into a daily rent/return to make it 14 rentals, its a smallllllllll local office so they shouldnt be any problems with returning it etc.

They want to leave the loophole there of rentals, and not days etc then we might as well have it work to our favour instead of working against us!!

25% extra ZE1 points per rental .

Is this still part of PC? Not much info on Hertz website. I have 20+ rentals this year and never got any info about 5* and NEVER rcd a free rental day. Customer service RUDELY told me that I probably didnt choose to receive mail from hertz on my profile....not true though.

UGH, they are as bad as airlines!

For the last several months I was surprised to find my car in President's Circle and 80% of the time it was a premium car or SUV (LAX, SFO, DEN, BOS). Just a couple of weeks ago a 5* card arrived and I understood why. Thanks Hertz. Won't be using Avis and National as often now.

Thanks for all the information about 5* and PC. I have qualified for 5* in the past, but I never recall receiving any benefits. I hold Hertz in high esteem, but in the past few months, I have had a series of small problems. Irritations tend to be cumulative, as they say, so I have found the experience frustrating. From reading this thread, it turns out that others have had other poor experiences with Hertz. I can't imagine leaving the company, but I will check with them when I hit 40 rentals to ensure that I get the PC benefits.

My experience has been similar. I had at least 20+ rentals and finally called Hertz directly and they said that yes I qualified for 5* and that I would receive info and a free day coupon etc. I received it about 4 months later. For the most part I've had good experiences with Hertz -- but I think an automotic program status would enhance their reputation at least in my book, otherwise, you wonder why you've been denied something that you would have got had you asked for it.

After reading all the previous posts, I found this page at Hertz:

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/emember/join/index.jsp?targetPage=clubsBenefitsView.jsp&contentPage=sumGoldbenefits.jsp&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_5_3_5

Jason

Originally Posted by SEA_Tigger
Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals, spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after every fifteen rentals.
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals, spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after every fifteen rentals.

I got a rental day certificate when making 5 star. It was good through premium class. I got an SUV in Tampa without a reservation, and they entered $92 something as the cost. Not bad for a freebie.

I just want to say thanks for all of the excellent advice on this forum. I just made 5* and didn't have to wait until next April after speaking to a great agent in OKC. Thanks to prashok for that little jewel!

I did a quick email and 24 hours later received; NOTICE BS ON PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR. THAT IS CRAP IMO.

Thank you for your May 30 e-mail. Your records have been reviewed and we have upgraded you to Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star. The current criterion to become a Five Star member is to have 10 to 39 Gold rentals during the previous calendar year. Normally the system upgrades everybody after the first of the year based upon the number of qualifying Gold rentals completed the previous calendar year (January - December).

A Five Star Gold card will be sent to you soon. It is not necessary to have the card to begin enjoying the benefits.

As a Five Star member, you'll appreciate benefits like one-car-class upgrades * (when available) at no additional charge and a free rental day certificate every 15th rental, beginning on the day of status upgrade. Plus, you'll continue to enjoy the speed and convenience of #1 Club Gold.

We are sure you'll enjoy the privileges that accompany your exclusive membership. Please feel free to contact us at 405-775-3180, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:45 PM Central Time.

Gold Customer Service
The Hertz Corporation
14501 Hertz Quail Springs Parkway
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Phone# 405-775-3180
Fax # 405-290-2200
pm

I've had a fairly interesting exchange with Hertz in Ireland over the last couple of weeks re promotion to Five Star. I'd completed by 10 rentals in 2006, and had e-mailed them to enquire whether they would be sending Five Star membership my way....

What followed was a protracted series of exchanges with Gold Cust Service, on whether or not I'd completed ten rentals (one of them was over new year, and Hertz Ireland were disputting the fact that this counted in 2006), right through to whether I was a Gold member or not.....................

Fortunately having pointed out that I'd be more than happy to walk my remaining 2006 rentals over to Avis or someone else, they finally saw sense - but only after about 15 e-mails on the topic :td:

I never heard of 5*, then I browsed this thread.

Logged onto the Hertz site and found out that I am a 5* member. I have no idea how long (I do searches and only 3 listed, but most of my Hertz rentals are made through my corp travel agent).

I feel like I have been renting 10+ for years now, and I do not even recall getting a free day certificate. While I take responsibility for not understanding this program, I am a tad confused about how little I get as compared to my airline and hotel program counterparts.

Do I just chalk this up to my ineptitude?

I feel like I have been renting 10+ for years now, and I do not even recall getting a free day certificate. While I take responsibility for not understanding this program, I am a tad confused about how little I get as compared to my airline and hotel program counterparts.

The answer is probably buried in your question, the corp travel department. Often they have negotiated special terms in exchange for waiving incentives (such as bonus certificates).

Thanks for all of the excellent advice on this forum.

I just called Hertz and when the agent got on the phone I asked if I was "eligible" for 5*...... she said "Yes, and I will put that on your record 'now', also, you will receive a card mid October since we only send them out once a month. Furthermore, any reservations you make online will reflect your 5*"

BTW, if anyone is looking for the phone number for Hertz CS in Oklahoma City, in order to have your 5* or PC membership "manually" updated (so you don't have to wait 'til next calendar year), I believe this is the number:

405-775-3180

:cool:

Thanks for this - worked like a charm!! ^ :D

I know it's been said, but thanks so much for the OKC number. I have called at least 5 times this year to #1 Club gold requesting 5*, and consistently been turned down. (Suprising as I've got way over 40 rentals and $7k in.) Called the OKC number, and was moved directly to PC skipping 5*, and the represenatative couldn't have been nicer! Thanks again!

My new company has a national agreement with Hertz for free #1 Gold, etc. I'm looking forward to some serious benefits. Thanks for the info. ^

Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz. Your car is brought to you by the Station Manager and they drop you off at the terminal and then take the car back to the lot. Upgrades are automatic and usually to whatever you want that they have.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals (US) / 20 rentals (CDN), spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals (US), spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).


What if you take airline miles when renting rather than Hertz program points? Does Hertz count these rentals towards the preferred frequent renter tiers described here or do they not count these types of rentals? Thank you.

What if you take airline miles when renting rather than Hertz program points? Does Hertz count these rentals towards the preferred frequent renter tiers described here or do they not count these types of rentals? Thank you.

Bump. I'd like to know the answer to this question as well.

Bump. I'd like to know the answer to this question as well.

Yes, rentals that earn airline miles also count toward 5*/PC status. I have always selected Virgin miles on my rentals, and am currently PC.

Bump. I'd like to know the answer to this question as well.
Yes they count. You just get collect both hertz points and airline points for the same rental.

Yes they count. You just get collect both hertz points and airline points for the same rental.You do? :confused: I thought it was one or the other.

As far as I know it is one or the other. I think Hilton or someone had a double dip offer but don't think it is usually true.

You may receive only one or the other for a Hertz rental. However, every rental goes towards to your count as a 5* or PC.

Well, 9 months into Five Star, I'm distinctly underwhelmed by the programme. Occasionally, yes, I get a great upgrade - a Mondeo to an Alfa Romeo GT being one example. However more often than not, it's nada.

Yesterday however capped it all.... Renting from LGW, I'd reserved a Mondeo for the day. Turned up and was told "we've got a great car for you if you're interested" and was given a spiel about the Alfa Romeo GT. All sounding great you might think - until the agent advised me of the fee they wanted for this upgrade! :mad: :rolleyes:

I questionned why said upgrade wasn't available as a Five Star, and was told that the free upgrade applied only within the standard fleet, and that as a full size, the Mondeo was the largest car I could expect to get upgraded to. Now, as we know, finding the T&C for Five Star is an absolute pain, and the only evidence I've got of the policy being anything to the contrary is the first post in this thread.

So, is there any point in hiring anything bigger than a compact with Hertz as a Five Star? Or should I just walk my 10-15 rentals a year over to Avis, where my BA status gets me a one class upgrade and free one ways.....

Answers on a postcard please!

It is true that the 5* and HG upgrades are only B-C and C-D so i would suggest that you book a focus and then you would get an upgrade to a mondeo subject to availability.

As for your BA status im sure you are aware that hertz are no longer partnered with BA ....

It is true that the 5* and HG upgrades are only B-C and C-D so i would suggest that you book a focus and then you would get an upgrade to a mondeo subject to availability.

As for your BA status im sure you are aware that hertz are no longer partnered with BA ....

Booking a Focus/Compact does sadly seem to be the way ahead.

And indeed, Hertz's departure from BA (or vice versa) does push things in Avis' direction - that said, I've always found Hertz to offer pretty good basic service.

My advice is to get to know the local hertz staff and more often than not if you get on well with them they will give up a nice upgrade when they can. Being stood in the queue in Manchester airport is an eye opener , the way some people behave towards the counter staff is a disgrace , it costs nothing to be nice and it might just get you your upgrade


Any Thoughts??

I hit my 10th rental, called the Gold desk, and they upgraded me to 5*. New package is in the mail. ^

My advice is to get to know the local hertz staff and more often than not if you get on well with them they will give up a nice upgrade when they can. Being stood in the queue in Manchester airport is an eye opener , the way some people behave towards the counter staff is a disgrace , it costs nothing to be nice and it might just get you your upgrade


Any Thoughts??

You are 100% correct!!! Unless I am really have a tough car day I always upgrade my gold customers before anyone else. But I can tell you that a few really nasty customers have burned an impression into my brain and will get very little from me. I have been called names that most men would not ever utter and have had things thrown at me because the customers credit card was denied by their bank! I am at a small location but whenever possible my favorite gold members get the best cars that my location has to offer.

[list]
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals (US) / 20 rentals (CDN)

Is 20-rental requirement for PC in Canada still valid? I don't see it anywhere under Hertz' T&Cs. Thanks!

Is 20-rental requirement for PC in Canada still valid? I don't see it anywhere under Hertz' T&Cs. Thanks!

Yes, it still applies for Canada.

When I book a rental it tends to be for a week or more, rather than a day, and I do this at least five time a year. I also typically rent the best car available at the rental location.

Can I expect any consideration of this to be taken into account in terms of achieving 5* status, or am I out of luck as they seem to be fixated on number of rentals rather than days or revenue?

Does 5* also attract extra discounts, or am I better off relying on my airline CDP number for example?

Since I usually have the option of using either Sixt, Hertz or Avis, based on my travel patterns, which do you think will provide the best return if I were to concentrate my rentals with one of them? I am currently gold with both Sixt and Hertz.

Thanks for your feedback.

but the thing is the upgrade isnt guranteed. So there is a chance that you could get stuck with a sub compact korean car.

Booking a Focus/Compact does sadly seem to be the way ahead.

And indeed, Hertz's departure from BA (or vice versa) does push things in Avis' direction - that said, I've always found Hertz to offer pretty good basic service.

Called CS at the # above and was upgraded to PC.

"Only have 31 rentals" was the first reply, I requested that she look at the # of days rented (not # of rentals or $$ amount) and she came back and said WOW you have 133 days Needed a supervisors approval then I was "approved" for change to Presidents Circle.

Hertz.com reflected the change immedately :cool:

Platinum - This program is invitation-only. It's who you are (or what you are) that gets you the invite, not your rental or spending history with Herz. Your car is brought to you by the Station Manager and they drop you off at the terminal and then take the car back to the lot. Upgrades are automatic and usually to whatever you want that they have.
President's Circle - Earned after 40 rentals (US) / 20 rentals (CDN), spending $7000+, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a guaranteed one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium) and 25% extra ZE1 points per rental (if you so choose). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).
Five Star - Earned after 10 rentals (US), spending an indeterminate amount of money, or renting an indeterminate number of days. Earns you a one-class upgrade (with a maximum being Full Size to Premium and only if available). You also receive a free rental day certificate after a certain number of rentals (seems to vary).


is 5* or PC dependent upon being in Club Gold? Do they waive the $50 annual fee for those in 5* or PC?

is 5* or PC dependent upon being in Club Gold? Do they waive the $50 annual fee for those in 5* or PC?

I've been Gold about 3 years, never paid an annual fee and never hit even 5* yet (only have rented about 6 times per year). I dunno if paying the first year (as opposed to getting fee-waived) makes them more likely to rebill the fee. Probably someone here can attest to paying the first year but not ever again.

I've been Gold about 3 years, never paid an annual fee and never hit even 5* yet (only have rented about 6 times per year). I dunno if paying the first year (as opposed to getting fee-waived) makes them more likely to rebill the fee. Probably someone here can attest to paying the first year but not ever again.

Someone told me once that if you rent 4X a year the fee is waived.

I've been Gold about 3 years, never paid an annual fee and never hit even 5* yet (only have rented about 6 times per year).


I have been Gold # 1 for several years, generally renting twice a year or so, for a week each time and I have never paid the $50. It is my understanding that members living outside of the US (I am not sure about Canada) are exempt from this charge.

Haven't had to pay the fee since I got the Hertz #1 Gold club card through CAA here in Canada.

Sanosuke!

Add to the list of differences

Gold - Upgrade to PC for $450
Five Star - Upgrade to PC for $250

:)

Add to the list of differences

Gold - Upgrade to PC for $450
Five Star - Upgrade to PC for $250

:)

I have never heard this before. You can upgrade 5* to PC for $250.00?

Never mind. Found thread.

is 5* or PC dependent upon being in Club Gold? Do they waive the $50 annual fee for those in 5* or PC?

Paying a fee for Club Gold? Are you silly? There are a million avenues for getting a free Gold, ranging from being elite on most airlines to having an Amex Platinum, etc.

I signed up a few eons ago and have never had to pay the fee since.

But then again I do rent Hertz regularly enough to be 5*, although they did kick me out at the end of last year, and 2 months later I got my card, I guess enough rentals and you're there. I must look into that PC thing however.

Does anyone know how may days are needed for upgrade to Hertz Pres. Circle? I'm in for 20 rentals, on average of 4 days each this year. I called yesterday and was told I need 40 rentals to qualify. I travel to PHL and Hertz seems to run out of cars very quickly these days. PC guarantees availability.

Thanks.

Recently qualified for PC, called CS and the phone call lasted about 30 secounds. I was upgraded immediately.

Does anyone know how may days are needed for upgrade to Hertz Pres. Circle? I'm in for 20 rentals, on average of 4 days each this year. I called yesterday and was told I need 40 rentals to qualify. I travel to PHL and Hertz seems to run out of cars very quickly these days. PC guarantees availability.

Thanks.

Is it 40 rentals in a year, or a history over a couple years of 40 rentals?

Never mind. Found thread.

link?

Is it 40 rentals in a year, or a history over a couple years of 40 rentals?

40 rentals per calendar year - count starts over on 1JAN.

{yank}

Is anyone here a Platinum? What kind perks can a Platinum expect?

My advice is to get to know the local hertz staff and more often than not if you get on well with them they will give up a nice upgrade when they can. Being stood in the queue in Manchester airport is an eye opener , the way some people behave towards the counter staff is a disgrace , it costs nothing to be nice and it might just get you your upgrade


Any Thoughts??

You are 100% correct!!! Unless I am really have a tough car day I always upgrade my gold customers before anyone else. But I can tell you that a few really nasty customers have burned an impression into my brain and will get very little from me. I have been called names that most men would not ever utter and have had things thrown at me because the customers credit card was denied by their bank! I am at a small location but whenever possible my favorite gold members get the best cars that my location has to offer.

I know I'm somewhat late for my quotes, but I've been skipping through this thread, trying to find what Hertz's upgrade policy really is. Seems inconsistency is the name of game.

I've been a PC member for about a year now and was 5* before that. Most of my rentals are here in Berlin and as I always try to be friendly to people I've been treated well, even before becomming PC. I always rent compact (Q - VW Golf or other) and most of the time I get a one or two category upgrade - sometimes also really nice ones like BMW 5 Series or Merc E Class.

However, when they're really short on cars I get zip upgrades. This suprised me at first because in the PC materials (for Germany) it sais you get a garantied upgrade. Upon thorough investigation, however, I found out that this only works at 'participating station', which are only a handful airport stations in Germany and a couple more worldwide. This was a bit of a bummer, as this garanty was one of the reasons I moved all of my business to Hertz - the other being that Hertz employees are generally very friendly and down to earth ^^^, especially compared to some people at Sixt where I used to rent before!!!

Anyway, it is defenitely good to get to know the people at your local station, as in my experience in other stations my status hardly ever gets rewarded - talking about Germany. In some small stations upcountry I had the feeling the people didn't even know what PC is;)!

So to bring this really long post - SORRY - to a close:
What are your experiences with status benefits at non-airport stations? Especially in Florida where I'll be renting quite a bit these next few months?

And are there any really cheap rates around for Florida?

Thanx for the nice thread.
wicketo

can any 5 star or PC members chime in on how long it usually takes for the free rental day certificates to be sent after each set of 15 rentals?

I reached 5* in May and am now up to 35 rentals year to date. No coupons as of yet.

Just called the 405 number and wow, didn't even ring, went straight to an agent! Agent was very nice and said "you're all set, 5* as of now".

Does anyone know if I need to rebook my reservations to have them show 5*? For example with NWA, you used to have to have them update each reservation to show your new status.

can any 5 star or PC members chime in on how long it usually takes for the free rental day certificates to be sent after each set of 15 rentals?

I reached 5* in May and am now up to 35 rentals year to date. No coupons as of yet.

Just like you have read here, that unless you call the toll number in OK City, level recognition is slow, so is the cert processing. Typically, the certs are 45 - 60 days behind the milestone.

It has never really bothered me much, it is just Hertz. As to rest of the program at PC level, to me, the benefits have easily justified the loyalty.

just a follow up to my prior post.. the reason for the delayed rental award certificates is because we had our profile set to not allow any postal mail communications from hertz. customer service fixed that and reissued the missing certs today. if others are missing certs, that'd be a good thing to check!!!

Any insight onto the number of days required for 5*? I'm only at 6 rentals for the year, but while a couple have been one-dayers, most have been longer term, so I'm at 29 days, and have two rentals scheduled for December. If I'm going to end up a day or two short of 5*, it would be nice to know so I could do something about it.

Just crossed 10 rentals this week (worked local for most this year). Called the 405-775-3180 number and was promptly upgraded to 5* through 2008. Will hit PC easily next year though. Hopefully I won't get any more crap cars. This week I had a base Corolla that didn't even have remote unlock/lock or map lights. Other times I've gotten a Mustang Convertible (booking C class each time).

I was recently comped 5* status with United and I am checking - does it matter which program I accure my points/miles in for the 5*/Club Gold requalification? Thank you!

I just called the 405-775-3180 customer service number and was upgraded to 5* immediately.

Hopefully I'll start seeing some of the benefits... ^

Just recently to changed a PC member.^ I hope to see the benifits cause frankly being a *5 these past few months didn't mean much. I agree with previous posts. If you get to know the local staff at a Hertz office you more often get upgraded then with status.

I just called teh CAR-GOLD number (the 405 number is offline on weekends) and was told that my status will only change at the end of the year. ...?

I am guessing calling the 405 will change my status immediately as other people have experienced, but why have different rules?

IME, 5* makes absolutely no difference to the way you get treated.

IME, 5* makes absolutely no difference to the way you get treated.

I'm tending to agree with the previous posters about knowing the staff.. or at least frequenting the same location. Case in point:

I rent from DEN pretty frequently.. two decent choices recently, one was a brand new Altima and one was one of the Infinity sport-wagons (not sure of the model.. QX35? or something?) -- this was as a "general" member.

As a 5*, renting from ORD, I got an Impala. Woo. :rolleyes: I've only rented from ORD four times this year.

Before I call Hertz, does anyone know if the spend requirement for PC has changed? Due to too many months in the NYC area (no car needed), only had 35 rentals last year (85 days), but spent $7018 and was bumped down to 5*.

Before I call Hertz, does anyone know if the spend requirement for PC has changed? Due to too many months in the NYC area (no car needed), only had 35 rentals last year (85 days), but spent $7018 and was bumped down to 5*.

I've always been a PC member based on number of rentals- I do about 80 or 90 a year, so I don't personally know about the spend rule. However I saw on this board that it is $7000. So if you have $7018- that's just making it. How did you calculate your spend? Hertz probabaly does it by just including the actual base rental charges and not the total rental bill- the same way they calculate hertz points. So you could spend over $7000 on rentals but only get credit for significantly less.

Woo hoo! Just called the super top secret number, had about a 5 minute hold and then it took all of 20 or 30 seconds to get moved up to 5* (14 rentals on the year so far). Logged out and back into my hertz account online and the 5* already shows up.

does anyone know if i rent a car for 1 day + 2 hours if it counts as 1 or 2 days "rented" in regards to increasing status? thanks in advance

does anyone know if i rent a car for 1 day + 2 hours if it counts as 1 or 2 days "rented" in regards to increasing status? thanks in advance

Sorry it would end up being a two day hire,however to keep status try the '369' program, that way you only pay for 3,6, or 9 hours rental.

Hope this helps:)

I'm tending to agree with the previous posters about knowing the staff.. or at least frequenting the same location. Case in point:

I rent from DEN pretty frequently.. two decent choices recently, one was a brand new Altima and one was one of the Infinity sport-wagons (not sure of the model.. QX35? or something?) -- this was as a "general" member.

As a 5*, renting from ORD, I got an Impala. Woo. :rolleyes: I've only rented from ORD four times this year.

The only real "benefit" to 5* is that some agents try to upsell one class up from C and then I tell them if the D/F car is available, you should be upgrading me without charge due to 5*.

I wonder if anyone can explain something for me.

I use Hertz for about 4 rentals over say 75 days each year for vacations in California, from the UK.

One could usually make a reservation without inclusive insurances. Now I cannot get one at all online.

Also, this time I have booked a Audi A4 cabriolet. It is a prestige car and is I think, the only one offered. I am just a little nervous as to it not being there on the night. I have had it reserved for 8 weeks now. The booking has a caveat of something like, or closest car. As there isn't another cabriolet am I safe?

Any views appreciated,

Mick

I just called the number listed on page one and got my status updated to 5*. Wish I had done it right when I hit 10 rentals, as I lost the 10% bonus from the last four rentals that I had, and have been told that those cannot be retroactively applied.

Should I call again, or just let it go?

I just called the number listed on page one and got my status updated to 5*. Wish I had done it right when I hit 10 rentals, as I lost the 10% bonus from the last four rentals that I had, and have been told that those cannot be retroactively applied.

Should I call again, or just let it go?

How much do you figure you lost in savings? Worst thing that can happen is they say no, and if you press on they might even just give you a coupon so you go away happy (keyword: go away, this is customer service after all).

I am currently 5 Star with 52 rentals for the year. I just called the Hertz customer service and they told me PC status earned for 2008 rentals goes "into effect" in March 2009. I haven't come across a frequent points/miles/whatever program that does not award status as soon as its earned. This seems fishy to me...

Was the Hertz person I spoke to correct or do I need to call back and get someone different?

Just hit 40 rentals yesterday. Called the Gold Customer Service Number from page one and got upgraded to Presidents Circle. It immediately showed up on the webpage. Its been a couple years since I was Presidents Circle so it will be nice to have again.

The only real "benefit" to 5* is that some agents try to upsell one class up from C and then I tell them if the D/F car is available, you should be upgrading me without charge due to 5*.

That's a classic with Hertz. I love pulling the same stunt. "Oh, but it's an upgrade based on availability." "Well, since it's clearly available, thank you."

Today the website finally acknowledged my 10 rentals, so I called that phone number on the first page...took about 10 mins to get a live person but got upgraded to 5* pretty quickly and the new status now shows up on the webpage.

However I did ask the lady I spoke to about PC....the first page says that Canadians only needed 20 rentals to hit PC...but she told me 40. Can anyone comment on this?

Got an email from Hertz today welcoming me to the President's Circle. I had 35 paid rentals last year, so I assume I qualified on revenue or days rented. I didn't keep track of those last year, but I typically rent for 4 or 5 days each trip, so it could be either.

From the Welcome to President's Circle page on Hertz.com:

Qualification for President's Circle membership requires one of the following criteria must be met: a minimum of 40 rentals annually, $7,000 or more in annual revenue or at least 120 or more days charged annually. Annual re-qualification is required, beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of every year.

My next rental puts me at 10 at which time I'll be ringing Hertz up for to get upgraded to 5*. The one thing I need clarification is on the upgrades. More often then not, I usually get one of the Infiniti's on the Prestige class. Being a 5* Star, how does the upgrade work with Prestige? Can I say reserve a G37 and get a M35 if it's available. the first page has information from 4 years ago so I want to go by anyone who has recent information on it.

thanks!

My next rental puts me at 10 at which time I'll be ringing Hertz up for to get upgraded to 5*. The one thing I need clarification is on the upgrades. More often then not, I usually get one of the Infiniti's on the Prestige class. Being a 5* Star, how does the upgrade work with Prestige? Can I say reserve a G37 and get a M35 if it's available. the first page has information from 4 years ago so I want to go by anyone who has recent information on it.

thanks!

The only people who are guaranteed upgrades are President's Circle and Platinum customers. For President's Circle, it is A-F only, though with a maximum upgrade to G. There are no free upgrades with prestige classes -- that doesn't mean you will never receive an upgrade to a prestige vehicle but they are not required to upgrade you. Platinum customers will generally get upgraded to the best car on the lot as long as they book a midsize.

Generally, Five Stars are upgraded but it is not guaranteed. If they are short, you will get upgraded based on Gold status first and then broken down further by CVI (Customer Value Index).

Customers are not aware of what their customer value index is but it is based on a score between 0-100.

If I had five Gold customers and somebody had to get upgraded to an Escalade then I would first look at class.

So if I have two President's Circle, one Five Star, and two Regular Gold then I would immediately eliminate the three non-President's Circle members. I would then see what the CVI was of each President's Circle member and award the free upgrade to the highest one.

Your CVI is based on rental volume and revenue.

thanks for the info. I know it wasn't guaranteed but since I always rent from the same location(LAX) and I almost always rent high revenue items, your information seems to bode well for me as far as trying to get them to upgrade me.

Just called the special number on page 1. Spent 20 mins on hold but was upgraded to 5* instantly. And it's already displayed on Hertz.com

Just received the following offer from United... wonder if it is worth applying. I almost always rent with Avis, but should this sway me over to Hertz?

Exclusively for our valued 1K® elite members, United® and Hertz are pleased to offer you complimentary membership in the Hertz #1 Club Gold® program and an upgrade to Five Star premium renter status. It's the fast and easy way to rent a car from Hertz.

Hertz #1 Club Gold membership features expedited service, so you can bypass the rental counter at over 40 of the world’s busiest airports. And, at over 1,000 locations around the world, simply go the specially designated Gold counter, show your driver’s license, and pick up your keys.

Five Star status includes all of the benefits of Hertz #1 Club Gold, plus additional features such as one-car-class upgrades (subject to availability), and exclusive offers with limited or no blackout dates.

To receive your upgrade to Five Star status:
(Registration must be completed by September 15, 2009)

So either more people will be taking my upgrades or since they don't ever upgrade 5*'s (at least in my experience) it is just a ploy to get more people back to Hertz...

The Hertz website has a very good explanation of levels now.

Summary of Gold Benefits (https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/emember/join/index.jsp?targetPage=clubsBenefitsView.jsp&contentPage=sumGoldbenefits.jsp)

BACKGROUND --- You have to forgive me for being so OCD (an obsessive and compulsive disorder) with this, but I don't have much of a life when I'm traveling so minutiae like this becomes hediously important to me. I am forced to rent compacts by the people who I work for,,, these people are otherwise very generous in the area of travel expenses. And believe you me, I have put up with a LOT (of ....) to get to the President's circle. Other people who do the same work as I do (and travel extensively) told me Hertz was much better than the rest once you're in the President's Circle. I've been forced to live with so many Cobalts and Focus's that the Hyundai Elantra became my dream come true rental car (I know it's hard to believe, but it's true). Finally, I figured out that I could use an upgrade coupon from Triple A and if I brought the coupon to the counter, they would sometimes give me me an upgrade (especially if I were of the same ethnic group as the counter person which only happened about one out of ever three rentals). BUT if they couldn't give me an upgrade, then I could come back and get one when they had more cars (like on the weekend).

THE PART THAT'S RELEVANT TO THIS THREAD --- I turned in my 10th. rental on a Saturday. I called the Oklahoma customer service number posted here (and posted in various places on the Hertz website) and found out they were closed on weekends. On Monday, I waited on hold for an hour and just my luck, I got a newbie. I told her I just turned in my 10th. rental and wondered if she could upgrade me to Five Star. Also, I told her that I had rented over 120 days and wondered if she could upgrade me to the President's Circle. She asked to put me on hold, she had to talk to her supervisor. When she came back, she told me I had to have two of the criteria for being PC instead of one, but she would upgrade me to Five Star. Not knowing if they could do an upgrade to PC before April of each year, I was fine with that. But I checked my online account frequently and nothing ever changed which was VERY disappointing to me given my previously described OCD travel life. Remember, sadly I don't have much of a life when I'm on travel. It's dependent things like how many HBO channels the hotel has and whether I get a pillow top mattress, etc. So after a few days of nothing changing on my online account, I call back. This time I don't choose to stay on hold and I have them call me back. Trust me, THIS IS THE MUCH BETTER OPTION. When I did the stay on the line option, they told me it would be "more than 30 minutes" AND it was an hour!!! With this call back option thing, they called me back in about 40 minutes. AND I got someone who knew her stuff, she could see what happened to me on the previous call and was VERY apologetic about the mistakes made by her predecessor. She upgraded me to Gold PC. I didn't expect to get the Gold level and it showed up on my online account immediate (that was almost orgasmic). I thought I could be PC and still be in the #1 club and have to go to the counter (where my odds of being treated well are 1 in 3) . So I am ESTATIC. Now, I'll get to see what life is like as a Hertz #1 Club Gold President's Circle Member. Don't worry, I still expect to get a Cobalt or Focus in my stall every once in a while...lol. Sooo, to continue the life of this most helpful thread, let me ask those who have experience with not getting an upgrade, does it do any good to go to the counter and plea for something else (like a Hyundai Elantra)...LOL

BACKGROUND --- You have to forgive me for being so OCD (an obsessive and compulsive disorder) with this, but I don't have much of a life when I'm traveling so minutiae like this becomes hediously important to me. I am forced to rent compacts by the people who I work for,,, these people are otherwise very generous in the area of travel expenses. And believe you me, I have put up with a LOT (of ....) to get to the President's circle. Other people who do the same work as I do (and travel extensively) told me Hertz was much better than the rest once you're in the President's Circle. I've been forced to live with so many Cobalts and Focus's that the Hyundai Elantra became my dream come true rental car (I know it's hard to believe, but it's true). Finally, I figured out that I could use an upgrade coupon from Triple A and if I brought the coupon to the counter, they would sometimes give me me an upgrade (especially if I were of the same ethnic group as the counter person which only happened about one out of ever three rentals). BUT if they couldn't give me an upgrade, then I could come back and get one when they had more cars (like on the weekend).

THE PART THAT'S RELEVANT TO THIS THREAD --- I turned in my 10th. rental on a Saturday. I called the Oklahoma customer service number posted here (and posted in various places on the Hertz website) and found out they were closed on weekends. On Monday, I waited on hold for an hour and just my luck, I got a newbie. I told her I just turned in my 10th. rental and wondered if she could upgrade me to Five Star. Also, I told her that I had rented over 120 days and wondered if she could upgrade me to the President's Circle. She asked to put me on hold, she had to talk to her supervisor. When she came back, she told me I had to have two of the criteria for being PC instead of one, but she would upgrade me to Five Star. Not knowing if they could do an upgrade to PC before April of each year, I was fine with that. But I checked my online account frequently and nothing ever changed which was VERY disappointing to me given my previously described OCD travel life. Remember, sadly I don't have much of a life when I'm on travel. It's dependent things like how many HBO channels the hotel has and whether I get a pillow top mattress, etc. So after a few days of nothing changing on my online account, I call back. This time I don't choose to stay on hold and I have them call me back. Trust me, THIS IS THE MUCH BETTER OPTION. When I did the stay on the line option, they told me it would be "more than 30 minutes" AND it was an hour!!! With this call back option thing, they called me back in about 40 minutes. AND I got someone who knew her stuff, she could see what happened to me on the previous call and was VERY apologetic about the mistakes made by her predecessor. She upgraded me to Gold PC. I didn't expect to get the Gold level and it showed up on my online account immediate (that was almost orgasmic). I thought I could be PC and still be in the #1 club and have to go to the counter (where my odds of being treated well are 1 in 3) . So I am ESTATIC. Now, I'll get to see what life is like as a Hertz #1 Club Gold President's Circle Member. Don't worry, I still expect to get a Cobalt or Focus in my stall every once in a while...lol. Sooo, to continue the life of this most helpful thread, let me ask those who have experience with not getting an upgrade, does it do any good to go to the counter and plea for something else (like a Hyundai Elantra)...LOL

congrats. the funniest part of your post is that you claim you only get upgraded usually if the counter rep is the same ethnicity. It has nothing to do with ethnicity but how many cars they have available and how deal with them. I had a person of my same ethnicity deny me before in a rude way.

congrats. the funniest part of your post is that you claim you only get upgraded usually if the counter rep is the same ethnicity. It has nothing to do with ethnicity but how many cars they have available and how deal with them. I had a person of my same ethnicity deny me before in a rude way.

Some people just think that it helps - I don't know, maybe it does for some people. I had this Asian guy tell me once, "Thanks man! You Asian so I can trust you - we gotta stick together!" I couldn't care less. I don't speak any language besides English and I could barely understand a word he was saying because his isn't English wasn't very good.

I had a person of my same ethnicity deny me before in a rude way.

My experience has been different - I pretty much always get declined by Italian-Americans / Polish-Americans / African-Americans / German-Americans / Spanish-Americans / etc
But always get upgraded by Irish-Americans = my ethnicity

My apologies if this was asked and answered somewhere else - I tried the search to no avail...

At any rate, I'm curious to know when the rental impacts your status. Is it the pickup date or the return date? In my case, I'm currently 5* and would like to keep it. At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to get there (very few rentals this year). I am picking up a rental on December 27 and returning it on January 3. Will that count towards 2009 status or 2010 status?

Thanks!

Unfortunately they don't count until after the rental has been returned.

congrats. the funniest part of your post is that you claim you only get upgraded usually if the counter rep is the same ethnicity. It has nothing to do with ethnicity but how many cars they have available and how deal with them. I had a person of my same ethnicity deny me before in a rude way.

After many more trips to Hertz counter, I must agree with "thecourtside" that the kind of car you get seldom (if ever) has anything to do with ethnicity. It has everything to do the the number and types of cars that are available at the time you show up at the counter. Unless you go up to that counter in with an attitude or are a in a real bad mood (which can be difficult if you've been seated in a very uncomfortable airline seating situation for many hours), the counter rep will try to do the best they can for you at the time you arrive. And maybe it doesn't help if the person in front of you in line has been a jerk and ruined your counter reps day just before you get there.

One thing that I'm noticing is that many people with the Gold Canopy service go to the counter and try to get a different car. AND the counter rep gives them a car that's already in another stall. So even though the counter rep that knows and likes me told me she'd get me the Kia Sportage SUV that I loved when I came back after going home for the Labor Day weekend, another counter rep gave that car to someone who came in and complained that they didn't like the Chevy HHR which along with Chrysler PT Cruieser are cars that my kids refuse to been seen riding in...lol. I was able to get someone's Toyota Matrix instead of the Chevy HHR, but I didn't get my beloved Kia Sportage.

Finally, we get to my question. I'd like to give the counter rep and assistant manager that went out of their way to get me a Kia Sportage SUV with satellite radio a substantial tip (like $20 for the couter rep and $40 to the assistant manger who went out and found the vehicle because it was just returned and wasn't in the computer yet). I got to have this car for a month. I know I'm PC and am entitled to an upgrade, but I'm not entitled to get SAT radio for free. My company will only reimburse me for Class B contracts, but it's worth it to me to drive around in something other than a compact for a month. I can't pay the few dollars more to get Class C if it shows up on my rental contract. I have to rent compacts so the upgrades mean a lot to me. I haven't tipped these two people because I only want to do it when they're alone and every time I've seen them too many other people have been around. Sooo,,, I have time to ask FT members what you think about me tipping them in this situation?

It has been my recent experience that Hertz does not automatically upgrade your account to the next status during the calendar year without a phone call. I called Hertz after my 11th rental this calendar year and was told by a rude representative that I had to have 12 rentals for 5-Star and they would make the decision when I was upgraded. Later, after my 15th rental, I spoke with a sympathetic representative who immediately upgraded my status. I think it is beneficial to call until you get the right person.

I can confirm that. My account was never upgraded. I then wrote (once 15 rentals were displayed in my account) an email to the gold customer service and today (after two days waiting time), I was upgraded to Five Stars.

just another point of reference -

i realized i had hit 11 rentals on the year so I called the customer service number listed on page 1. the message warned me of a wait longer than 30 minutes so as suggested in this thread, i asked for a call back and left my number.

about 20 minutes later, i received a call back. the rep was very nice and upgraded me immediately. i was walking back to my desk as she did it, and it was updated on the website as soon as I had checked.

for kicks - i played dumb and asked if there was a level above 5* and she told me yes: Pres Club. i asked her what the qualifications were and she confirmed - 40 rentals, $7000 revenue or 120 rental days. Unfortunately I'm only at 40 rental days, so not even close.

hoping 5* gets me at least a few Y upgrades!

In late October 2008, I hit 1K w/UA and enrolled in the promo awarding free 5* status.

I just logged onto my Hertz account and noticed the 5* designation was gone. :confused: Only my Gold membership was listed.

So, should my 5* status last until the end of this month or through Dec 2009 or ????

TIA

I hate to disappoint some of you folk, but I've been a PC for a number of years (7? 8?) and, in Europe at least, the upgrade is NOT guaranteed...

You will get a "technical" upgrade at major airports only, anywhere else it is still discretionary. By a "technical" upgrade, I mean a move up the Herttz chart that doesn't really mean anything in the real world.

A recent example: arrived in Stansted having booked a VW Passat, received a Kia Carensis. As far as I'm concerned, that's a downgrade but these days they have so many non-standard cars that they can just fudge the borders between car groups. The same has been happening at LHR as well.

It's part of the month by month decline in overall customer service from Hertz since the economic decline began. Don't get me started on their automated call handling system...:)

I looked for this, hope I didn't miss it...

I know the levels are based on rentals... but are they tracked via Gold # or license?

(The why of my question: I'll have 10 rentals this weekend, so should be at 5 star. BUT I used a regular # 1 club number for the first four and then went Gold (and was assigned a new #). )

So.... if they simply go by your member #, I'd guess I won't show as qualifying...

While I'm thinking of it, I'm gonna try calling them to consolidate the two accounts...

Anyone with similar experience(s)?

They do track licenses but I don't know if those would count towards your status automatically.

I'm sure you could get retro credit, though if you called them.