Hertz - Surprise last minute refare.

I reserved a Midsize from Billings Montana three weeks ago via Hertz.com. I was very surprised a how expensive it was ($46 a day) and the fact that there was not unlimited mileage available, simply 150 free weekend miles per day. I posted here and was told that was standard for an independently owned Hertz location. Anyway, today I wanted to update my arrival with Hertz as I would be arriving via a late flight. I was worried that perhaps the location would close before I arrived. So I opened the reservation to add my flight information and when I hit submit, I noticed that the entire fare was refared to $26.00 a day. Amazing. I checked my previous reservation email and confirmed that all of the other details were identical.

I had always assumed that the longer I waited to make a reservation the more expensive it would get. Instead, I modified a reservation, the day of pickup, and received over a 40% discount. Wow, better than any coupon I could not get the Billings location to accept. Weird though.

It happens all the time when they don't get as many reservations as they expect.

Several friends and I all have the policy that we go back and check to reprice our rentals every week or so between booking and arrival.

I've had one drop four separate times that I noticed between original booking and when we arrived to pick up the car.

I booked a weekend trip in early August at an independent Hertz location also.
Before noon on Thursday gave me the weekday rate for my entire trip, through the following Tuesday morning.

I would have thought the quote for weekday rate for Thursday, and then get the weekend rate for the other days.

By changing the pickup to 12:15p on Thursday the rate was reduced by more than 50% and I received the weekend daily rate for the whole trip.

I have never gotten any coupon to work at this location.

Could it be that the location you were at became a "Last Minute Deal" and when you checked again, you were offered the last minute price? I've seen airport locations go from ~30/day to $14.99 as a last minute deal, so it's possible...

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I already found it very helpful.

I am spending my holidays in the USA and I'm going to rent a car from Hertz. This is my first renting with Hertz and also first time renting in the USA ever. I keep booking and rebooking my car every week and I came to the point I can't believe it's true.

Few details: I will rent a car for 29 days: July 3 till Aug 1st. Pickup and dropoff at JFK. Basically I am fine with Compact as I regulary use Compact-sized cars at home (Europe). For months I was getting quotes about $1500 after 10% discount for my Iberia FF affiliation.

2 weeks ago I was shocked to see a full-size Taurus for $900 while all the other categories fell down about 10% (Compact is $1353 now). I didn't waste any time and made reservation immediatelly. Another week passed by and Taurus is back to $1620, still about 10% less than before.

My question to you long-time experienced folks is whether I should rely on that quote or am I going to be told that Hertz computer had bad time that week and I'll get regular Taurus price?

My other option is to take JFK-EWR shuttle and rent from Hertz there; 29 days one-way renting EWR-JFK is almost $200 less for Compact.

My question to you long-time experienced folks is whether I should rely on that quote or am I going to be told that Hertz computer had bad time that week and I'll get regular Taurus price.

The price that is on your reservation is the price you pay. The rate is guaranteed.

Szymon

The price that is on your reservation is the price you pay. The rate is guaranteed.

Szymon

Keep checking! It could easily go down again.

Keep checking! It could easily go down again.

Szymon: thanks. (z Polski?)

Goldrush3: I surely will. Actually, I check it twice a day at www.hertz-europe.com :) My fear is despite my reservation says $900 they may deny it because of whatever reason is/was behind, e.g. computer or database fault. The price (CDW, LIS, taxes, airport, title etc. all included, seems it's compulsory for non-US residents) is simply too good compared to any other option.

Szymon: thanks. (z Polski?)

Goldrush3: I surely will. Actually, I check it twice a day at www.hertz-europe.com :) My fear is despite my reservation says $900 they may deny it because of whatever reason is/was behind, e.g. computer or database fault. The price (CDW, LIS, taxes, airport, title etc. all included, seems it's compulsory for non-US residents) is simply too good compared to any other option.

Don't worry -- you'll be fine. Hertz at LHR is honouring people's month-long rentals for almost nothing. There are so many prices they hardly look at it when you get the car.

$900 for a fully inclusive month rental seems like a good deal. And, you'll generally find that most people on this forum don't like the Taurus (though there are some who do). If you actually *prefer* a smaller car, you might be able to get Hertz to put you in a smaller vehicle and knock something off the price when you pick up but no guarantees. Don't be afraid to say, "What kind of cars do you have for me?" and to negotiate to get what you want if you don't want a Taurus.

$900 for a fully inclusive month rental seems like a good deal. And, you'll generally find that most people on this forum don't like the Taurus (though there are some who do). If you actually *prefer* a smaller car, you might be able to get Hertz to put you in a smaller vehicle and knock something off the price when you pick up but no guarantees. Don't be afraid to say, "What kind of cars do you have for me?" and to negotiate to get what you want if you don't want a Taurus.

Yes, I noticed people here don't like Tauruses. My case is slightly different: during my previous stays in the USA I owned '87 Taurus Wagon and that car gave me wonderful service. I have very good memories of it. I'm a bit curious what progress Ford did over 20 years :-)

Noah, thanks for the advice: I'll surelly ask if it's gonna be Taurus or not. If not, I'll negotiate. I'll try to be off of GM which surelly not my cup of coffee.

Keep checking! It could easily go down again.

Just an update: now it's $1800 for the same car, same condition as I got quote for $900 three weeks ago. Amazing. :-)

Just an update: now it's $1800 for the same car, same condition as I got quote for $900 three weeks ago. Amazing. :-)

OK, this is last and final update: yes, it was $900 and no, it wasn't taurus. It's Toyota Avalon. Great car also.

OK, this is last and final update: yes, it was $900 and no, it wasn't taurus. It's Toyota Avalon. Great car also.

And I think that is an upgraqe. I agree it's a great car. IMHO MUCH better then the Taurus (sadly what you would have found is that Ford has made little progress with this car in the 20 years since you owned one! LOL!)

And I think that is an upgraqe. I agree it's a great car. IMHO MUCH better then the Taurus (sadly what you would have found is that Ford has made little progress with this car in the 20 years since you owned one! LOL!)

Well, I mentioned to the guy I intend to make about 4000miles, I asked how is the procedure if the car would ask for oil change while on the road somewhere in rural Canada and I told him I'd like try Taurus. He checked and told me the only Taurus he has has high mileage, might be requiring oil change soon and just told me it's gonna be Avalon with 7000 miles on the clock. Coming from Europe I had no clue how Avalon would look like until I saw it. Honestly, I think the guy made me a favor and I am very thankful to him. Good people live in NYC, too! :)

just told me it's gonna be Avalon with 7000 miles on the clock. :)

The Avalon is a larger car than the Taurus & uses less gas than the Taurus. The Avalon accelerates better & rides smoother than the Taurus. The Avalon is a major upgrade over the Taurus. I would take the Avalon in a heartbeat over the Taurus. Enjoy the Avalon! Nice ride.

I rented an Avalon for a long trip (new 2006 model) last year. Got 30+ miles highway per gallon. Can't even get close to that in the Taurus.