Hertz - Gold at TPA

Hi, I'm number 1 gold thanks to you guys, I'm picking up a car from Hertz at TPA on the 29th and I have two questions for you seasoned wise people.

I'm going to hire a luxury but the website only gives a choice between a Town car and a Deville - I've just returned from Indianapolis and had a Town car while I was there but don't really want another but would like to try the Caddy, how to I make this happen? I booked a luxury last fall in Miami and found a Lincoln LS in my spot which I really enjoyed, thanks to the boys and girls at Hertz MIA.

I've also noticed that there is no Gold canopy at TPA, I love the convenience of just getting in the car and leaving after a long haul flight, does the lack of a Gold canopy spell much in the way of delay?

Thanks for any replies.... Tony

I don't know TPA specifically, but at non-canopy airports I've rented from, the paperwork was already done for me as a Gold and as soon as I got there they handed it to me and I was ready to go.

Can't help on the car type -- I usually take whatever they give me unless there's a specific problem.

Have to say was not impressed at all with TPA.

There may be a Gold Counter inside the parking garage (there is a Hertz office there). I went to the main counter in the terminal and there was a seperate line for Gold members, so I don't know.

Only one agent with eight stations, and she was doing a first time rental. Fortunately I was #2 in line as my wait was 15 minutes and I shudder to think how long other Golds, much less non-Golds (who would be accomodated after all the Golds) had to wait.

Booked an F and was given a Honda Accord LX. Technically a YF, but I was not impressed as a PC member (but then, I have found PC to be essentially worthless this year - I was treated as good or better as a 5*Star). This was all they had, evidently (I offered to do a paid upgrade). Paperwork was not ready so I had to do it like a walk-up rental so that was about five minutes.

Return was fortunately painless, and I saw the counter office in the garage. So if there is a line at the terminal counter, you might want to head into the garage and see.

As a regular renter from TPA, (6 times this year), I normally arrive on BA & on Sunday, I have always found the HERTZ desk to be empty. Although I am 5*gold, the paper work only took 2.5 minutes but when you are nice & friendly to the staff the choice of car took longer because they phone the other section (TPA has a blue & red side) to see what they have & I normally get upgraded from the Lincoln group.
So I would say smile nicely & you may get better then you asked for.
Also look at my thread GOLD v PREPAY you may want to use PREPAY as there is no gold service at TPA.

As always, many thanks for your help!!

The Hertz at Tampa airport is consistently the worst location I have ever dealt with. If you intend to reserve and pay for a luxury car there is no way I'd recommend using Hertz unless they were a whole lot less expensive than Avis.

Have to agree with Beckles, TPA is very poor. Have rented from there about five times in last six months and waits have been long even with Gold Card. Cars not ready and no cars are a regular occurance. On top of this the last twice the quality of the cars has been very bad. A Celice with dents on ever corner and a Expedition with poor A/c. I wrote a email and got a cheque for $50 for my troubles, but have three more rentals booked there this year and am not looking forward to them. :td: