Welcome, and thanks for posting here! A few more questions on upgrades...
1) I've noticed that there are amounts listed on the computer screens for paid upgrades to Prestige, etc. Are those recommended upgrade charges, or is that a "minimum" upgrade amount that an agent cannot charge lower than?
2) Besides the standard 5*/PC guidelines from Hertz, are there actual limits on what agents or dispatch can assign in terms of upgrades? If you wanted to, could you upgrade any reservation to a Prestige or Fun Collection car?
1) The amount on the screen is the minimum we can charge for that class. There are ways of getting around that though.
2) There are no limits. I can upgrade anyone to whatever. Of course if someone books a subcompact, management would be on my rear end if I gave that person a free upgrade to the Prestige class.
I'm guessing what happens is the system has decided inventory is high and can give you a discounted rate automatically (with no promo coupon), but when you put in the promo, it will only take the promo off the standard rate or other "qualifying rate". This is a fairly common pricing practice for discounts and promos in a lot of arenas, not just rental cars.
To get the best price, you just have to try combinations. If business is slow, the promo coupon may not yield the best price for a rental car. But, it also depends upon the coupon. Etc, etc. Many variables and very complicated pricing, just like airlines.
BTW, thanks to the OP for giving an inside perspective on some of this stuff.
2) There are no limits. I can upgrade anyone to whatever. Of course if someone books a subcompact, management would be on my rear end if I gave that person a free upgrade to the Prestige class.
Thank you very much for all these replies. Your experience certainly adds value to the Hertz forum.
It's not fair that the CSR doesn't get commission for Gold rentals.
I've reserved a "Green" collection Subaru Outback at DTW. I arrive very late in the evening. If I find something "non Green" in my slot because they're out of the Outbacks, how much wiggle room do I have in negotiating for something else? I doubt I would be asking to upgrade into a big SUV or something (I rented "green" for a reason), but if I said "OK, can I just have anything with 4 doors and Neverlost for the price I originally reserved", is that a reasonable request?
Thanks.
It would be a reasonable request to me if you were my customer.
Last edited by geez10; Jul 19, 07 at 3:39 pm.
Reason: forgot to add somthing
(4) Have either of you guys ever considered transferring to Seattle? It's really quite nice out there - both mountains and sea nearby. Lots of good coffee. And the Hertz station there needs help - badly.
Why does Hertz charge $10 per DAY for an additional driver who is not a spouse? A one-time administrative fee would be understandable, but why a per day fee?
That's so that if you become sleepy while driving, you just have to risk crashing. Obviously it makes no sense. In the interest of road safety, Hertz should obviously make it easy for a sleepy driver to turn the wheel over to someone else.
Last edited by FRE; Jul 19, 07 at 5:10 pm.
Reason: misspelling
Quick question, why is fuel added on to my rental when I hand the keys over to the lot agent? Clearly if the lot agent is doing his job and look at the fuel level, I would not be charged for fuel. Could it be another reason to try and earn a commission? And no, I'm not buying that it was simply overlooked.
Geez10, thanks for answering all the questions so far.
While we're on the subject of additional drivers, is there a problem if I rent a car under my name, add another driver, and let him drive the car out of town? Would there be any problems if he gets into an accident out of town, or do I have to be present at all times? Just want to know for insurance purposes.
Why is it that some agents at some locations refuse to say that X car comes with NL in it then retract that when they magically find the exact car type with NL 10 minutes later in another aisle?
Example in mind - today at ORD, I was irked to find an Impala LT in my spot when I asked for specifically a Corolla with NL. I went in to the #1 Gold counter (what a tiny office!) and there were a lot of people lined up in there trying to get their mess sorted. Talk about chaos, especially with a lot of children around. I ended up getting a Corolla S with NL in it. The woman was real nice enough to have found it convinently, even after denying that Hertz had Corollas with NL on the lot!
Quick question, why is fuel added on to my rental when I hand the keys over to the lot agent? Clearly if the lot agent is doing his job and look at the fuel level, I would not be charged for fuel. Could it be another reason to try and earn a commission? And no, I'm not buying that it was simply overlooked.
When assigning a car onto a contract, the Hertz system automatically assumes it is leaving the lot with a full tank. If a service agent does not aware a counter agent that the tank is not full, the agent also assumes it has a full tank. When leaving the lot, make sure you tell the person at the gate that the tank is not full and tell them that you want proof that he put that in your contract.
Geez10, thanks for answering all the questions so far.
While we're on the subject of additional drivers, is there a problem if I rent a car under my name, add another driver, and let him drive the car out of town? Would there be any problems if he gets into an accident out of town, or do I have to be present at all times? Just want to know for insurance purposes.
Thanks
You do not have to be in the car while the additional driver is operating the Hertz vehicle. There are many cases in which customers rent cars for other people, especially for their employees, co-workers, or family members. As long as the additional driver meets the same qualification as the renter, the additional driver can take the car wherever he/she wants and the actual renter does not have to be in the car.
