Hertz - Weekly Rate for Hertz Award more than regular rental

I booked a weekly rental of a SUV in Anchorage in September 2009 using Hertz points (4000).
Weekly rate with award is $499
Weekly rate without award is $415

Any idea why the rate is more? Since I'm renting for more than a week, its costing me more per day for each extra day.

Another Question: Is there any way to use points for more than a week without returning to Hertz lot?

Denis

Just noticed this thread. Where is the $499 amount coming from? If you're using points to rent, I can't imagine how you would be charged $499 (and the most you might get hit for is the "concession recovery fees" and maybe some other taxes).

When I've done rentals using #1 points, Hertz usually puts some (higher than average) dollar amount on their rentals, but this may be meant as your motivation to not forget to turn in your award certificate once you return the car.

(I also suspect their higher rate is a bit of an accounting trick for Hertz... since the agency isn't making major money off your award rental, their bookeepers can do some fancy accounting to say that your non-revenue rental counts against some income column in their profit & loss financial summaries)

just order a paper cert, make the reservation without any PC, and hand the cert over at return. they will deduct the week and leave the (extra days) rate alone.

just order a paper cert, make the reservation without any PC, and hand the cert over at return. they will deduct the week and leave the (extra days) rate alone.

From Hertz.com (https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/emember/join/index.jsp?targetPage=clubsBenefitsView.jsp&contentPage=n1Awardsterms.jsp): "The Hertz promotion code (PC) number printed on the #1 Awards Rental Certificate must be mentioned at time of reservation and must be presented at time of rental or with #1 Club Gold at time of return."

So I don't think MikeBU's plan would work.

Probably an accounting issue similar to hotel maximum / rack rate listings - some of the weekend rentals I've taken as awards have had phenomenally high rates.

On whether to return to the airport or not: you don't say how much more than a week you are staying - that and the daily rate difference would help determine cost / value. However, I can say the airport is only about 6 miles from the Hilton and Sheraton, if that's a consideration (and if you will be in ANC proper).

On a side note - I personally like to switch vehicles (trying out different models that could replace my current vehicle) when on long vacations.

So I don't think MikeBU's plan would work.

I can assure you that it works. Admittedly, they would be within their rights to refuse it, but I have never seen it happen. In the same way, you can typically use expired award certs, certs issued to others, etc. The return agents basically have the freedom to do almost anything.