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
Sep 19, 2017, 3:54 pm
#376
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
Same applies for the upgrades section for $35/day ($25/day for PC members).
Sep 19, 2017, 4:26 pm
#377
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
Right now Hertz is $50 USD for the OW, National is double at $100 USD. Even with the $25USD PC upgrade, Hertz will be cheaper.
Looking forward to seeing how much UC has improved... Tried it out once before my switch to National.
Sep 20, 2017, 9:18 am
#378
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: SNA
Programs: WoH Globalist, Wait I have an Ambassador?, National Exe. Elite, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 41
Dumb question:
I'm about to receive PC status from credit card and am thinking about making the switch to Hertz. The problem is that my company only allows us to book compact cars.
So as a PC with compact reservation, would I still have access to the PC section of the UC lot?
I'm about to receive PC status from credit card and am thinking about making the switch to Hertz. The problem is that my company only allows us to book compact cars.
So as a PC with compact reservation, would I still have access to the PC section of the UC lot?
Sep 20, 2017, 9:34 am
#379
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
LAX: Manager Special
I plan to rent for 1 week at LAX.
While on Hertz web site, somehow "Manager Special" showed up. Couldn't find it afterward!
Did use "search" and went to discounts & coupon to no avail. How can I get Manager Special to show up again? Thanks.
Also, I wanted to try out the Mercedes C300 sedan (Prestige class, I think). Any discount?
I use AAA and am Gold
Thank you.
While on Hertz web site, somehow "Manager Special" showed up. Couldn't find it afterward!
Did use "search" and went to discounts & coupon to no avail. How can I get Manager Special to show up again? Thanks.
Also, I wanted to try out the Mercedes C300 sedan (Prestige class, I think). Any discount?
I use AAA and am Gold
Thank you.
Sep 20, 2017, 9:57 am
#380
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
I plan to rent for 1 week at LAX.
While on Hertz web site, somehow "Manager Special" showed up. Couldn't find it afterward!
Did use "search" and went to discounts & coupon to no avail. How can I get Manager Special to show up again? Thanks.
Also, I wanted to try out the Mercedes C300 sedan (Prestige class, I think). Any discount?
I use AAA and am Gold
Thank you.
While on Hertz web site, somehow "Manager Special" showed up. Couldn't find it afterward!
Did use "search" and went to discounts & coupon to no avail. How can I get Manager Special to show up again? Thanks.
Also, I wanted to try out the Mercedes C300 sedan (Prestige class, I think). Any discount?
I use AAA and am Gold
Thank you.
Sep 20, 2017, 10:53 am
#381
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,040
A. You must book at least an an Intermediate (Booking Class C; ICAR) car.
Your only benefit as a PC is a guaranteed upgrade to a midsize car that you can pick from that section of the lot.
Oct 2, 2017, 9:15 am
#382
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,287
Hi,
I am just wondering for this Ultimate Choice, did Hertz put a set of rules/criteria for each location to meeting on the type of cars that they should assign to a lot?
Having experience this a couple of times at different and some same locations, the variation changes like crazy and sometimes the car you like is in the upgrade section, sometimes in the UC section...
So I am curious what criteria/rules especially on the type of makes/models they should offer/have available.
Cheers!
I am just wondering for this Ultimate Choice, did Hertz put a set of rules/criteria for each location to meeting on the type of cars that they should assign to a lot?
Having experience this a couple of times at different and some same locations, the variation changes like crazy and sometimes the car you like is in the upgrade section, sometimes in the UC section...
So I am curious what criteria/rules especially on the type of makes/models they should offer/have available.
Cheers!
Oct 2, 2017, 9:32 am
#383
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
Hi,
I am just wondering for this Ultimate Choice, did Hertz put a set of rules/criteria for each location to meeting on the type of cars that they should assign to a lot?
Having experience this a couple of times at different and some same locations, the variation changes like crazy and sometimes the car you like is in the upgrade section, sometimes in the UC section...
So I am curious what criteria/rules especially on the type of makes/models they should offer/have available.
Cheers!
I am just wondering for this Ultimate Choice, did Hertz put a set of rules/criteria for each location to meeting on the type of cars that they should assign to a lot?
Having experience this a couple of times at different and some same locations, the variation changes like crazy and sometimes the car you like is in the upgrade section, sometimes in the UC section...
So I am curious what criteria/rules especially on the type of makes/models they should offer/have available.
Cheers!
It's very much a YMMV situation. It is definitely true that some locations are better than others. My closest UC location (LGA) is pretty lackluster 95% of the time even in the PC area.
Oct 6, 2017, 11:38 am
#384
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Hertz
Posts: 1
Don't like the new Hertz Gold service
Well Hertz caved in to the musical car method of assignment. It is unfortunate. Having a car assigned with your name above and usually an upgrade. You felt special. Now when the doors open on the bus the race is on. First one out the door gets to choose the best car. If your the last you stand there with a confused look on your face. Where is my premium full size as you see the last pull away. The attendants stand around looking as confused as you as you ask them where your car is. "Select form here and here" as they point to an empty area with 3 cars left. A Soul and a Toyota midsize.
I have now written 2 reviews describing my disappointment. I would encourage everyone else with Hertz status to do the same.
I am likely going to have to switch to National. They have a more consistent set of cars available in the premiere sections. Hertz hasn't figured that out yet.
I have now written 2 reviews describing my disappointment. I would encourage everyone else with Hertz status to do the same.
I am likely going to have to switch to National. They have a more consistent set of cars available in the premiere sections. Hertz hasn't figured that out yet.
Oct 6, 2017, 11:41 am
#385
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Well Hertz caved in to the musical car method of assignment. It is unfortunate. Having a car assigned with your name above and usually an upgrade. You felt special. Now when the doors open on the bus the race is on. First one out the door gets to choose the best car. If your the last you stand there with a confused look on your face. Where is my premium full size as you see the last pull away. The attendants stand around looking as confused as you as you ask them where your car is. "Select form here and here" as they point to an empty area with 3 cars left. A Soul and a Toyota midsize.
I have now written 2 reviews describing my disappointment. I would encourage everyone else with Hertz status to do the same.
I am likely going to have to switch to National. They have a more consistent set of cars available in the premiere sections. Hertz hasn't figured that out yet.
I have now written 2 reviews describing my disappointment. I would encourage everyone else with Hertz status to do the same.
I am likely going to have to switch to National. They have a more consistent set of cars available in the premiere sections. Hertz hasn't figured that out yet.
Oct 6, 2017, 11:45 am
#386
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
If you reserve a Premium car you should be assigned a vehicle as opposed to choosing from Ultimate Choice. If this is not happening, then speak with a manager at the location. This is *not* the way the program is intended to work.
That said, if you booked a midsize to a fullsize car, then you would use the Ultimate Choice section based on your status. The overwhelming feedback here (and my personal opinion) is that this is a huge leap forward from the previous days where you get what you get and you don't get upset. You may have gotten upgrades in the past, but the vast majority of folks did not, so even though selection in UC can be lackluster to crappy at times, some choice is better than no choice for most folks.
That said, if you booked a midsize to a fullsize car, then you would use the Ultimate Choice section based on your status. The overwhelming feedback here (and my personal opinion) is that this is a huge leap forward from the previous days where you get what you get and you don't get upset. You may have gotten upgrades in the past, but the vast majority of folks did not, so even though selection in UC can be lackluster to crappy at times, some choice is better than no choice for most folks.
Oct 10, 2017, 6:39 pm
#387
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
Rented from LAX today. Noticed they've gone back to the long printed contracts. No longer printing out just the two page contract + an email with the full contract.
Oct 18, 2017, 12:24 pm
#388
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
Update.
8 days later, I immediately rented again at LAX after dropping my rental. Back to the short 2-page printed contract and a different email format for the entire contract, "Hertz Updated Gold Rental Agreement'.
Oct 25, 2017, 7:02 am
#389
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 231
I'm visiting a location that just has "Gold Choice" as a PC member. I can't find much online about Gold Choice, it seems to have been superseded by Ultimate Choice, but it looks like they just have sedans and maybe SUVs for all GPR members? I'm guessing I won't find a Chrysler 300/Nissan Maxima or higher in that section? Any thoughts or personal experience would be appreciated!
Oct 25, 2017, 5:11 pm
#390
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: 23,194
I'm visiting a location that just has "Gold Choice" as a PC member. I can't find much online about Gold Choice, it seems to have been superseded by Ultimate Choice, but it looks like they just have sedans and maybe SUVs for all GPR members? I'm guessing I won't find a Chrysler 300/Nissan Maxima or higher in that section? Any thoughts or personal experience would be appreciated!