Mar 29, 2017, 6:02 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Questions regarding specific locations (eg, "I am Renting From XXX; What Might I Get?") may be moved to specific/dedicated threads for that location. All major airport codes may be searched using FlyerTalk's search engine; otherwise, words in " " quotation marks will bypass the character limit filter.
Overview of Service and List of Existing and Future Airport Locations: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/produ...ate_choice.jsp
Am I Eligible? Is My Vehicle Eligible?
Q. Who can use Ultimate Choice?
Any member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is eligible to use Ultimate Choice. The areas you can select from depend on your status in the program (President's Circle, Five Star, or Gold).
Q. What is the minimum booking class to be eligible to freely select cars from Ultimate Choice?
A. You can book anything other than an Economy (A), Compact (B), or Manager's Special (EXAR) vehicle, and be eligible for Ultimate Choice.
Q. What if I book a lower class such as Economy or Compact or Manager's Special?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class (or higher, as a complimentary upgrade) in a marked space.
Q. What happens if I book a Economy or Compact but pick a higher-class car from Ultimate Choice?
A. You will likely be asked to pay the midsize rental rate by the gate agent.
Q. What if I book a Fullsize car but find a lower class car in Ultimate Choice that I like better?
A. You may chose to take it, but you will pay the originally-booked Fullsize rate.
Q. What if I book a Adrenaline/Electric/Hybrid/Luxury/Prestige car or a Minivan/Truck/SUV?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class in a marked space. You can either accept it or chose a car from Ultimate Choice.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for one-way rentals?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for award rentals?
A. Yes, provided the reservation is for a mid-size car or higher.
Overview of Service and List of Existing and Future Airport Locations: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/produ...ate_choice.jsp
Am I Eligible? Is My Vehicle Eligible?
Q. Who can use Ultimate Choice?
Any member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is eligible to use Ultimate Choice. The areas you can select from depend on your status in the program (President's Circle, Five Star, or Gold).
Q. What is the minimum booking class to be eligible to freely select cars from Ultimate Choice?
A. You can book anything other than an Economy (A), Compact (B), or Manager's Special (EXAR) vehicle, and be eligible for Ultimate Choice.
Q. What if I book a lower class such as Economy or Compact or Manager's Special?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class (or higher, as a complimentary upgrade) in a marked space.
Q. What happens if I book a Economy or Compact but pick a higher-class car from Ultimate Choice?
A. You will likely be asked to pay the midsize rental rate by the gate agent.
Q. What if I book a Fullsize car but find a lower class car in Ultimate Choice that I like better?
A. You may chose to take it, but you will pay the originally-booked Fullsize rate.
Q. What if I book a Adrenaline/Electric/Hybrid/Luxury/Prestige car or a Minivan/Truck/SUV?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class in a marked space. You can either accept it or chose a car from Ultimate Choice.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for one-way rentals?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for award rentals?
A. Yes, provided the reservation is for a mid-size car or higher.
Questions/Discussion About Hertz Ultimate Choice Service
Apr 5, 2017, 8:52 am
#151
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
As for one-way fees, Hertz typically builds them into the rate that's quoted to you, so if the total quote is $xyz, then the total should be $xyz.
Apr 6, 2017, 9:55 am
#152
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,326
- it seemed very much like a discretionary removal of the NeverLost GPS charge by the CSA.
- I doubt it would be easy to repeat if it should happen again. Likely a once-off thing.
- I find this quite annoying and bordering on deceptive practices by Hertz.
- ESPECIALLY annoying if the vehicle has built-in GPS anyway.
- if you have the time, you could ask right then-and-there as you drive out whether you can have the charge removed. At least that way you know upfront if you are charged or not.
Apr 7, 2017, 9:31 pm
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,192
Still, it's leagues better than the old Gold Choice option, which was never once in 100+ rentals ever useful to me, since it was just crappy midsize or smaller cars (not useful when I'm renting FCAR/PCAR).
Apr 10, 2017, 4:21 am
#154
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Should be any time now. I recently started getting "HERTZ PHX NOW OFFERS ULTIMATE CHOICE(TM). YOU CAN PICK YOUR CAR" in the "Warning Messages" section of my reservations.
Apr 11, 2017, 11:46 pm
#155
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
In the past month I've also seemed to have gotten some solid upgrades on non-UC rentals at airport locations (QX80 on an L4 reservation at DTW and a fully-loaded Buick SUV (whatever that Chinese made one is) on a mid-size reservation at LGA), but maybe that's just a small bit of good luck.
Apr 15, 2017, 7:17 pm
#157
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
Optima is not a bad car. I'd be happy if I paid midsize and got that car every time. However first roll out likely low on cars(at 4pm too).
Apr 17, 2017, 8:05 am
#158
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Apr 18, 2017, 9:32 am
#160
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Seems like it started to pick up about a year ago.
Nissan hasn't made it a secret that they're focusing on fleet sales as a way to drive growth.
http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...ng-fleet-sales
Nissan hasn't made it a secret that they're focusing on fleet sales as a way to drive growth.
http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...ng-fleet-sales
Apr 18, 2017, 11:41 pm
#161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,192
I explained the concept of ultimate choice. She radioed her manager and said "There is some guy here who reserved a mid size but wants a full size". Manager said I would have to go in and pay more. I politely protested a bit more and said it was clearly in the midsize section. She rolled her eyes at me and said "please just put it back where you found it and get the car class you reserved. I asked the manager and don't know what else to tell you"
IIRC National is meticulous about always having properly marked hang tags in vehicles. I don't know if Hertz is quite there yet...
Apr 19, 2017, 9:30 am
#162
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: SWA CP, HH Diamond
Posts: 25
I haven't been challenged yet, but I assumed that's what the hang-tag was for. At least my first UC rental had a hang tag that clearly indicated what section my car was parked in; I haven't really paid attention on my subsequent experiences to see if the hang tag was properly marked. But assuming it was marked, the hang tag should quash any argument from the exit gate person.
IIRC National is meticulous about always having properly marked hang tags in vehicles. I don't know if Hertz is quite there yet...
IIRC National is meticulous about always having properly marked hang tags in vehicles. I don't know if Hertz is quite there yet...
This was one time I was forced to rent from Hertz - I'm a frequent National renter. I've picked up BMWs/Audis for the mid sized price with no questions asked. This experience did not do anything to draw me back to Hertz.
Apr 19, 2017, 1:28 pm
#163
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
How is midsize or higher defined? I have a reservation for L class and am PC. Am I eligible for any upgrades at LAX? What I might like is a Suburban (T6).
Apr 19, 2017, 3:19 pm
#164
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
RDU coming up for me. C(Inter/Midsize) is 30 dollars cheaper pre-paid than D(Standard). Seems odd but booking the standard shouldn't bar me from the PC section UC... correct?
Apr 19, 2017, 3:42 pm
#165
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
L is definitely higher. However as a 5 Passenger SUV if they don't have any Caddy/Infiniti or similar 5 passenger SUVs in the PC area they might assign you a specific car.
RDU coming up for me. C(Inter/Midsize) is 30 dollars cheaper pre-paid than D(Standard). Seems odd but booking the standard shouldn't bar me from the PC section UC... correct?
RDU coming up for me. C(Inter/Midsize) is 30 dollars cheaper pre-paid than D(Standard). Seems odd but booking the standard shouldn't bar me from the PC section UC... correct?
In any case, D qualifies you for UC.
