Originally Posted by
rwinn
I don't think it's dead but maybe the #1 Club Gold is dead to renters who have a choice. I have been very happy with National and always check National first. Usually Enterprise second (since I can still earn Emerald Club credits) and then it's pretty much Kayak. I will pay a few dollars per day premium to stick with National because I get decent treatment and the rewards are a great value. If Hertz offers a decent value and has some kind of a promotion running like they do now with the Winter bonus I will use Hertz but I have let my PC status expire and haven't really noticed any difference.
With National, upgrades are honored and things tend to just generally run smoothly while that kind of an experience is becoming increasingly rare with Hertz. Last weekend I rented from National in PHX and was actually thanked for my loyalty. I don't remember a time when that has ever happened with Hertz.
In terms of cost have you seen they are at least decently close? If Hertz was 5, 10 or maybe 15 dollars a day more, so 60ish dollars more over a 4-5 day rental(what I typically see) I would be fine with it. 600 dollars versus 250 dollars though I am not going to pay that to be able to skip the check-in line.