Hertz - Lies, damn lies, and NeverLost

I need to rent a car for a trip next week, picking up in one city and returning in another. When I tried to reserve a car with NeverLost, the web site says that none are available. If, however, I lie and say that I'll be returning the car to the same location, NeverLost is suddenly available.

If they don't want to make it available on one-way rentals, they could at least have the courtesy to be honest! :mad:

Anyway, I've got the car reserved as a non-one-way rental (returning to the same location). I can always call Hertz after I pick it up and claim that my plans have changed, but I can't help wondering if they would actually try to "pull" the NeverLost if I were to call now.

Anyone done this?

I need to rent a car for a trip next week, picking up in one city and returning in another. When I tried to reserve a car with NeverLost, the web site says that none are available. If, however, I lie and say that I'll be returning the car to the same location, NeverLost is suddenly available.

If they don't want to make it available on one-way rentals, they could at least have the courtesy to be honest! :mad:

Anyway, I've got the car reserved as a non-one-way rental (returning to the same location). I can always call Hertz after I pick it up and claim that my plans have changed, but I can't help wondering if they would actually try to "pull" the NeverLost if I were to call now.

Anyone done this?


Sounds like all of their cars with Neverlost need to be returned to the rental location. My guess is if you end up returning it elsewhere you will be charged a rate much higher than the one-way rental rate.

I would just call and see why you can't get a NL for a one-way. I've had NL for a one-way before.

Other option is to reserve a non-NL and when you get to the station ask for a NL car.

Whatever you do, unless money is no object for you, do NOT reserve the car for a round-trip and then return to another location.

A recent thread on this board will show you examples of where someone did this in the LA area, and returned the car no more than 40 miles away, and paid hundreds of dollars more.

If I were you, I'd reserve the car as you need it and then try to get a NeverLost when you get there.

Worst case scenario and you can't get one, you could go into a store and buy a portable GPS unit for less than the cost of changing your rental mid-rent.

You can rent cars with neverlost one way.

You can rent cars with neverlost one way.

true, but maybe not from all locations.

As said above, if they don't allow you to book it, don't do it unless you can afford to pay the enormous fee they will charge.

Whatever you do, unless money is no object for you, do NOT reserve the car for a round-trip and then return to another location.

So very true. Last time I did this, I rented at ORD - intending to return there - but my plans changed mid-week, and returned at MSN. The rate jumped from ~$230 to almost $700. I can understand some increase due to the fact that I returned in another state, but noah is correct - it's ridiculously more expensive to return at another location from scheduled.

The location I work at will let you go one way with neverlost and you cant book them online..It's not a matter of they wont let you, it's more about availability. Some days we dont have any cars with neverlost.

The location I work at will let you go one way with neverlost and you cant book them online..It's not a matter of they wont let you, it's more about availability. Some days we dont have any cars with neverlost.
Well, DTW will rent me a car with NeverLost if I return it there, but they refuse to rent me one for a one-way rental.

Avis, OTOH, doesn't seem to have this problem. We'll see how the Avis rental goes next week. I'm going to be doing a lot of these 1-way rentals over the next few months, so Hertz may be losing a fair bit of business over this.

I rented a car at MCO, intending to return it to FLL. Week rate ~$500. (FUN collection!) Anyway...plans changed and I needed to get out of MIA after having the car 3 days.

I called, and the rate changed. I was returning it 4 days early, and the rate went UP, to ~$775!!! Not that I cared, stuff happens...but this seemed like a total HOSING to me!

I always reserve round-trip rentals and often return to another location. The trick is to call the rental extension department BEFORE you return the car - even if it's 5 minutes before. I've never had the price go too much higher - usually somewhere in the range of $20-$40/day more.

It may be cheaper, however, to rent one-ways from the beginning. I never know where I'll be going next though, so it's not an option for me.

Well, DTW will rent me a car with NeverLost if I return it there, but they refuse to rent me one for a one-way rental.

Avis, OTOH, doesn't seem to have this problem. We'll see how the Avis rental goes next week. I'm going to be doing a lot of these 1-way rentals over the next few months, so Hertz may be losing a fair bit of business over this.

Don't get your hopes up. I found it is much easier to do one way rental with Hertz than Avis. Avis often does not include any miles in one way rental. Maybe people can share their past experiences...

Avis often does not include any miles in one way rental. Maybe people can share their past experiences...
Neither does Hertz with my corporate contract.

I do not see how Hertz lied to you. The title so so harsh.
Why not buy a GPS unit? (just want to see if my guess is correct)

Why not buy a GPS unit? (just want to see if my guess is correct)
Because my employer will pay for a GPS rental, but not to buy it. (I've asked.) Was that your guess?

As someone who travels with my own GPS, I've never had a need for NL. Last month, I happened to get in a Highlander that had it. One night on the way to dinner, I accidently left my GPS in the room and decided I'd use NL. Big mistake. The software is miserable. There's no way to tell how close/far away the next turn is. I must have missed five turns on the way. I guess that's why I hear folks call it "AlwaysLost."

My point ... You might be happier in the long run to by a GPS on your own dime. I sure wouldn't trust NL.

Because my employer will pay for a GPS rental, but not to buy it. (I've asked.) Was that your guess?

My guess was correct.

Whatever you do, unless money is no object for you, do NOT reserve the car for a round-trip and then return to another location.

A recent thread on this board will show you examples of where someone did this in the LA area, and returned the car no more than 40 miles away, and paid hundreds of dollars more.


Funny, I ran into a similar problem, although NeverLost had nothing to do with it, and my outcome was the exact opposite. Due to irrops, I needed to pick up at LGA, return at EWR. Hertz showed zero availability for the one-way. So, I made a round-trip rental and just returned to EWR. Normally, I just lose the unlimited miles part of my contract, but that didn't even happen this time. Just my regular contracted rate.