Hertz Gold Choice [Now Available in Select Locations]
Sep 19, 2011, 2:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: PIT
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 143
I was at BWI last Tuesday (9/13) and it opened that day. (They still had painters tape on the new lines on the ground since the paint wasn't fully dry). Anyway, it seemed sort of useless. There were about 2 dozen or so "Gold Circle" spots closest to the board, and easily identifiable. There were a WIDE variety of cars in the spots. Corolla, Camaro, QX45 (or some infiniti SUV), S60, C-class, LaCrosse, PT Cruiser, etc. There was no indication as to what the purpose was for the cars here. I only knew to look because I was aware of the GC program. (When I was there the previous week, there were employees next to the board stopping everyone that seemed to be listed on there to tell us about the upcoming rollout. I was practically running to my car since I was late and politely ignored them). So this time I had a few minutes and asked an employee who was loitering nearby to help me out. I asked if I could just take any car. She said "yes". So I asked if there would be any additional fee. She said yes, and it would depend on my original reservation. So I showed her my portfolio: I'm a 5* and had a midsize reserved (and had a Cruze in my spot). She said I could only take a car in my car class otherwise there would be an upcharge. I asked which of those cars were in my car class, and she said just the Corolla (NO THANKS!!). But that was my only choice. I asked what the upcharge would be for the other cars and she said she'd have to check the computer, and look at my rate plan, etc. So here is my take:
To be fair, they has just opened it, and only barely, so it is certainly reasonable to allow for growing pains. I'll be back there tomorrow and will update my report. But am I enthusiastic about this new program? Is it a good answer to National? Not exactly.
To be fair, they has just opened it, and only barely, so it is certainly reasonable to allow for growing pains. I'll be back there tomorrow and will update my report. But am I enthusiastic about this new program? Is it a good answer to National? Not exactly.
Last edited by woody1173; Sep 19, 2011 at 2:33 pm Reason: Trying to figure out how to use bullet points.
Sep 19, 2011, 3:25 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 133
From my point of view it is just the opposite from National’s “Aisle” program.
While both of them are of course here for business, and both programs were created to help them reach that goal, they are designed entirely different.
National’s Aisle program is designed to benefit the costumer that will in most cases end up with an upgrade at “no additional cost” vs. Hertz GC program which is designed in their benefit that they will end up selling more upgrades after what customers will get excited standing at the GC next to “available to choose from” Infinity’s, Mercedes, Volvos etc. w/o having any clue on how much (or if) they are gonna end up paying for that upgrade.
While both of them are of course here for business, and both programs were created to help them reach that goal, they are designed entirely different.
National’s Aisle program is designed to benefit the costumer that will in most cases end up with an upgrade at “no additional cost” vs. Hertz GC program which is designed in their benefit that they will end up selling more upgrades after what customers will get excited standing at the GC next to “available to choose from” Infinity’s, Mercedes, Volvos etc. w/o having any clue on how much (or if) they are gonna end up paying for that upgrade.
Last edited by GreeNYC; Sep 19, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Sep 19, 2011, 7:27 pm
#18
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
National’s Aisle program is designed to benefit the costumer that will in most cases end up with an upgrade at “no additional cost” vs. Hertz GC program which is designed in their benefit that they will end up selling more upgrades after what customers will get excited standing at the GC next to “available to choose from” Infinity’s, Mercedes, Volvos etc. w/o having any clue on how much (or if) they are gonna end up paying for that upgrade.
From the How it Works section on the program
Do I have to pay for Gold Choice?
No. When you reserve a midsize car, you can switch to any comparable vehicle in the Gold Choice area at no extra cost. Specialty cars are available at clearly marked ‘per day’ additional charge in the Gold Choice Upgrade area. We also have dedicated personnel to assist with your rental or answer questions. If you don't see the car you are looking for they can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Pretty sure when they say clearly marked with the per day additional charge, people will have some clue what the charge will be before they arrive at the booth.
Sep 20, 2011, 6:51 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 133
From the How it Works section on the program
Do I have to pay for Gold Choice?
No. When you reserve a midsize car, you can switch to any comparable vehicle in the Gold Choice area at no extra cost. Specialty cars are available at clearly marked ‘per day’ additional charge in the Gold Choice Upgrade area. We also have dedicated personnel to assist with your rental or answer questions. If you don't see the car you are looking for they can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Pretty sure when they say clearly marked with the per day additional charge, people will have some clue what the charge will be before they arrive at the booth.
Do I have to pay for Gold Choice?
No. When you reserve a midsize car, you can switch to any comparable vehicle in the Gold Choice area at no extra cost. Specialty cars are available at clearly marked ‘per day’ additional charge in the Gold Choice Upgrade area. We also have dedicated personnel to assist with your rental or answer questions. If you don't see the car you are looking for they can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Pretty sure when they say clearly marked with the per day additional charge, people will have some clue what the charge will be before they arrive at the booth.
I was at BWI last Tuesday (9/13) and it opened that day. (They still had painters tape on the new lines on the ground since the paint wasn't fully dry). Anyway, it seemed sort of useless. There were about 2 dozen or so "Gold Circle" spots closest to the board, and easily identifiable. There were a WIDE variety of cars in the spots. Corolla, Camaro, QX45 (or some infiniti SUV), S60, C-class, LaCrosse, PT Cruiser, etc. There was no indication as to what the purpose was for the cars here. I only knew to look because I was aware of the GC program. (When I was there the previous week, there were employees next to the board stopping everyone that seemed to be listed on there to tell us about the upcoming rollout. I was practically running to my car since I was late and politely ignored them). So this time I had a few minutes and asked an employee who was loitering nearby to help me out. I asked if I could just take any car. She said "yes". So I asked if there would be any additional fee. She said yes, and it would depend on my original reservation. So I showed her my portfolio: I'm a 5* and had a midsize reserved (and had a Cruze in my spot). She said I could only take a car in my car class otherwise there would be an upcharge. I asked which of those cars were in my car class, and she said just the Corolla (NO THANKS!!). But that was my only choice. I asked what the upcharge would be for the other cars and she said she'd have to check the computer, and look at my rate plan, etc.
So now you tell me that they gonna have at each GC car detailed its upgrade charge for each contract/rate plan-which counts in the thousands…
What I suggest they should have: either a kiosk style machine which would let you enter your reservation # and it would tell you how much your upgrade fee should be for each car type based on your original reservation/contract info. Or it should be preprinted somewhere on your contract along with all other details. (An additional 10 sheets per Hertz contract…)
Sep 20, 2011, 1:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: PIT
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 143
BWI Update
So there are 28 GC spots; 14 spots on each side of the first car aisle. 17 spots had cars when I arrived at 9 this morning. I got better details from a different employee today. The spots on the right are "swap" cars, which means anyone that has reserved a midsize or higher can take any of these cars straight to the exit and won't pay an upgrade fee, just like national. The spots on the left are "upgrade" cars, which of course means there's an upcharge. As with last week not a single car was marked in any way to indicate any of this. I was told that at some point they will have some of the upgrade cars marked with a per day price, and if you took that car, you would simply pay that price instead of (not in addition to) your original contract price. For the cars that weren't marked, there would be an upgrade charge that varied based on many factors, including potentially which airline you came in on. The exact fee would be listed on a sheet that a roaming employee would have, and that would be at the exit booth if you just took the car there. I was shown the sheet, or actually a blank template, since the manager hadn't determined those fees yet for that day. The swap cars were Malibu, impala, altima, hhr. The upgrade cars were lacrosse, c class, ctx. There was a maxima on the swap side so I decided to take it. As I opened the door the lady told me that was a mistake and she had to move it to the other side. I just got in my Cruze and left.
Sep 20, 2011, 7:48 pm
#22
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,315
So there are 28 GC spots; 14 spots on each side of the first car aisle. 17 spots had cars when I arrived at 9 this morning. I got better details from a different employee today. The spots on the right are "swap" cars, which means anyone that has reserved a midsize or higher can take any of these cars straight to the exit and won't pay an upgrade fee, just like national. The spots on the left are "upgrade" cars, which of course means there's an upcharge. As with last week not a single car was marked in any way to indicate any of this. I was told that at some point they will have some of the upgrade cars marked with a per day price, and if you took that car, you would simply pay that price instead of (not in addition to) your original contract price. For the cars that weren't marked, there would be an upgrade charge that varied based on many factors, including potentially which airline you came in on. The exact fee would be listed on a sheet that a roaming employee would have, and that would be at the exit booth if you just took the car there. I was shown the sheet, or actually a blank template, since the manager hadn't determined those fees yet for that day. The swap cars were Malibu, impala, altima, hhr. The upgrade cars were lacrosse, c class, ctx. There was a maxima on the swap side so I decided to take it. As I opened the door the lady told me that was a mistake and she had to move it to the other side. I just got in my Cruze and left.
Sep 22, 2011, 1:47 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,229
Wow, I can't wait for this to come to DCA! The past two times I have received a double upgrade, but to some large car that I really don't want (Town Car, 7pax SUV, etc). Ideally I like a small car in good shape with sirius and some extras, like leather etc. However if if I reserve anything smaller then a mid-size, I always end up with some POS with crank windows.
Hopefully I'll be able to use this to swap my behemoth upgrade for a nice mid-size. I wonder if I have to choose a car in the class I reserved or the class I was upgraded to?
Hopefully I'll be able to use this to swap my behemoth upgrade for a nice mid-size. I wonder if I have to choose a car in the class I reserved or the class I was upgraded to?
Sep 23, 2011, 6:16 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,405
Sep 27, 2011, 2:54 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,229
Sep 27, 2011, 3:20 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: FNT/MBS
Programs: DL Gold, National Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 399
Once again, I feel like Hertz has made this concept way harder then it needs to be.
Why not create two rows, one consisting of the free swap out vehicles and the other with paid upgrade vehicles. Mark half of the upgrade row signs with easy to see $15 a day and the other with $30 a day. Match the areas with the corresponding fleet based on demand, and call it a day.
The idea of having a computer kiosk or CSR who stands and searches prices on an excel sheet is a complete waste and contradicts the purpose of the gold program in general.
Why not create two rows, one consisting of the free swap out vehicles and the other with paid upgrade vehicles. Mark half of the upgrade row signs with easy to see $15 a day and the other with $30 a day. Match the areas with the corresponding fleet based on demand, and call it a day.
The idea of having a computer kiosk or CSR who stands and searches prices on an excel sheet is a complete waste and contradicts the purpose of the gold program in general.
Sep 27, 2011, 4:18 pm
#27
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,315
Once again, I feel like Hertz has made this concept way harder then it needs to be.
Why not create two rows, one consisting of the free swap out vehicles and the other with paid upgrade vehicles. Mark half of the upgrade row signs with easy to see $15 a day and the other with $30 a day. Match the areas with the corresponding fleet based on demand, and call it a day.
The idea of having a computer kiosk or CSR who stands and searches prices on an excel sheet is a complete waste and contradicts the purpose of the gold program in general.
Why not create two rows, one consisting of the free swap out vehicles and the other with paid upgrade vehicles. Mark half of the upgrade row signs with easy to see $15 a day and the other with $30 a day. Match the areas with the corresponding fleet based on demand, and call it a day.
The idea of having a computer kiosk or CSR who stands and searches prices on an excel sheet is a complete waste and contradicts the purpose of the gold program in general.
Sep 27, 2011, 4:19 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
While both of them are of course here for business, and both programs were created to help them reach that goal, they are designed entirely different.
A company that mandates a midsize rate will probably get upset when they see an unauthorized upgrade fee on the receipt. Therefore, business travelers will be less likely to take the paid upgrade. This is something leisure travelers are more likely to consider, however.
National’s Aisle program is designed to benefit the costumer that will in most cases end up with an upgrade at “no additional cost” vs. Hertz GC program which is designed in their benefit that they will end up selling more upgrades after what customers will get excited standing at the GC next to “available to choose from” Infinity’s, Mercedes, Volvos etc. w/o having any clue on how much (or if) they are gonna end up paying for that upgrade.
Most companies don't mind if the business traveler gets a Suburban, as long as the company still pays the midsize rate. Hence the appeal of the Emerald Aisle. The company and customer are both happy.
Also, National has Emerald Reserve. If you book something other than a midsize, you can still choose a car. Hertz's Gold Choice seems to only apply, at least initially, to midsize reservations. If you or your company travel arranger books an economy, chances are high that you probably will still get pre-assigned to an old beat up high mileage Yaris or Rio as before.
A company that mandates a midsize rate will probably get upset when they see an unauthorized upgrade fee on the receipt. Therefore, business travelers will be less likely to take the paid upgrade. This is something leisure travelers are more likely to consider, however.
National’s Aisle program is designed to benefit the costumer that will in most cases end up with an upgrade at “no additional cost” vs. Hertz GC program which is designed in their benefit that they will end up selling more upgrades after what customers will get excited standing at the GC next to “available to choose from” Infinity’s, Mercedes, Volvos etc. w/o having any clue on how much (or if) they are gonna end up paying for that upgrade.
Most companies don't mind if the business traveler gets a Suburban, as long as the company still pays the midsize rate. Hence the appeal of the Emerald Aisle. The company and customer are both happy.
Also, National has Emerald Reserve. If you book something other than a midsize, you can still choose a car. Hertz's Gold Choice seems to only apply, at least initially, to midsize reservations. If you or your company travel arranger books an economy, chances are high that you probably will still get pre-assigned to an old beat up high mileage Yaris or Rio as before.
Sep 28, 2011, 6:52 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum
Posts: 12,085
Came across this in San Diego. Awesome program. Had a crappy Dodge Nitro. Wanted a full size car with trunk, and was able to rent the Chevy Malibu sitting in the choice spot.
Sep 28, 2011, 8:05 pm
#30
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Was in ATL two weeks ago. The program is way to complicated. I hope they streamline it. If you want to upgrade, you won't know the upgrade price without having someone check for you. Basically it's the same as before (going to Gold desk and asking what is available); the only difference is now you know what is avail for upgrade without having to stop.
I haven't rented Hertz in a while but when did they start charging for Neverlost on a paid upgrade into a Prestige vehicle?
I haven't rented Hertz in a while but when did they start charging for Neverlost on a paid upgrade into a Prestige vehicle?