Hertz LHR T5 - AVOID
Aug 28, 2015, 7:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ayr, Scotland
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, BA EC Silver, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 226
Hertz LHR T5 - AVOID
Just missed my BA flight from T5 because the shuttle drivers don't care about customers and nor do the managers.
Dropped my car with enough time, but none to spare; spoke to three drivers and reception about needing a shuttle urgently to T5. There was a queue of three buses just waiting, engines idling, but they couldn't be bothered to go. I waited more than 15 minutes for transport.
Having missed my flight, I went back to Hertz and spoke to the duty manager - Adam something - who didn't care either. He couldn't even be bothered to ask my name even though I told him I've been President's Circle for more than twenty years. Just mumbled that he'd "speak to the drivers".
Nice attitude, Hertz.
My advice is use AVIS at Terminal 5 - they're in the terminal itself. That's what I'll do next week and the week after and every week until the end of the year whilst flying in and out from GLA.
Dropped my car with enough time, but none to spare; spoke to three drivers and reception about needing a shuttle urgently to T5. There was a queue of three buses just waiting, engines idling, but they couldn't be bothered to go. I waited more than 15 minutes for transport.
Having missed my flight, I went back to Hertz and spoke to the duty manager - Adam something - who didn't care either. He couldn't even be bothered to ask my name even though I told him I've been President's Circle for more than twenty years. Just mumbled that he'd "speak to the drivers".
Nice attitude, Hertz.
My advice is use AVIS at Terminal 5 - they're in the terminal itself. That's what I'll do next week and the week after and every week until the end of the year whilst flying in and out from GLA.
Aug 28, 2015, 1:14 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
Buses run at a frequency of around 15-20 minutes , so having to wait for a bus is normal - they do not operate to order
It sounds that you didn't return the car with enough time, if a normal wait time meant that you were too late for the flight
It sounds that you didn't return the car with enough time, if a normal wait time meant that you were too late for the flight
Aug 28, 2015, 2:50 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
Aug 29, 2015, 12:53 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: Hertz Presidents Circle; SPG Lifetime Platinum; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 658
That does not help you with returns. And Avis are located at the eastern end of the airport, a lot further away from T5 than Hertz, so you would need to allow even more time from dropping off the car.
Aug 30, 2015, 12:51 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Avis for other LHR terminals are off airport, but they are actually in the terminal at T5, so I'd always use Avis for T5. You can return to T5, no need to go to their pound to return.
To the original poster, how much time did you allow? I fear (from what you've told us) not enough.....
To the original poster, how much time did you allow? I fear (from what you've told us) not enough.....
Sep 2, 2015, 7:09 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,948
Sep 3, 2015, 2:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,086
Just missed my BA flight from T5 because the shuttle drivers don't care about customers and nor do the managers.
Dropped my car with enough time, but none to spare; spoke to three drivers and reception about needing a shuttle urgently to T5. There was a queue of three buses just waiting, engines idling, but they couldn't be bothered to go. I waited more than 15 minutes for transport.
Having missed my flight, I went back to Hertz and spoke to the duty manager - Adam something - who didn't care either. He couldn't even be bothered to ask my name even though I told him I've been President's Circle for more than twenty years. Just mumbled that he'd "speak to the drivers".
Nice attitude, Hertz.
My advice is use AVIS at Terminal 5 - they're in the terminal itself. That's what I'll do next week and the week after and every week until the end of the year whilst flying in and out from GLA.
Dropped my car with enough time, but none to spare; spoke to three drivers and reception about needing a shuttle urgently to T5. There was a queue of three buses just waiting, engines idling, but they couldn't be bothered to go. I waited more than 15 minutes for transport.
Having missed my flight, I went back to Hertz and spoke to the duty manager - Adam something - who didn't care either. He couldn't even be bothered to ask my name even though I told him I've been President's Circle for more than twenty years. Just mumbled that he'd "speak to the drivers".
Nice attitude, Hertz.
My advice is use AVIS at Terminal 5 - they're in the terminal itself. That's what I'll do next week and the week after and every week until the end of the year whilst flying in and out from GLA.
Sep 3, 2015, 3:50 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
You had a 15 minute window that basically either made or broke your ability to catch your flight. Yes, you are at fault. What if you hit traffic, ran into longer than normal security lines (even with TSA Pre-Check), etc.? 15 Minutes is a bit close to making or braking a flight time.
Sep 4, 2015, 9:00 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Tough, tough crowd.
I'm a last-minute man, always, and especially at an airport I know.
In Europe, though, they've different notions of time. A 4x/hour shuttle schedule wouldn't cut it at a "first tier" rental firm in the US, or at least not at any reasonably main-stream US airport from which I've ever rented a car . . . except maybe some group-bus-only places like Logan or BWI. So, as I said, knowing the airport then becomes especially important.
Oh, and if you're really going to play the last-minute game, yes, you actually do have to know the shuttle schedule in advance and calculate which one you have to catch. There's some expertise involved here, in other words.
I'm a last-minute man, always, and especially at an airport I know.
In Europe, though, they've different notions of time. A 4x/hour shuttle schedule wouldn't cut it at a "first tier" rental firm in the US, or at least not at any reasonably main-stream US airport from which I've ever rented a car . . . except maybe some group-bus-only places like Logan or BWI. So, as I said, knowing the airport then becomes especially important.
Oh, and if you're really going to play the last-minute game, yes, you actually do have to know the shuttle schedule in advance and calculate which one you have to catch. There's some expertise involved here, in other words.
Sep 4, 2015, 9:56 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,086
More of a general statement then specific to LHR. Sorry, should have been more clear.
How about this instead...15 minute window in making or breaking a flight for any numerous of reasons really puts the risk on the person versus any carrier/security/company.
Better?
How about this instead...15 minute window in making or breaking a flight for any numerous of reasons really puts the risk on the person versus any carrier/security/company.
Better?