Originally Posted by
jackal
I've never earned points on an award redemption rental. I don't think the base rate matters on points rentals.
It won't actually be more expensive, even though it appears so on Hertz.com when booking. I discussed this in a recent post in another thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz...l#post28286375
When redeeming points, I always use either my AAA discount (if I have an extra driver) or my USAA discount (if I don't, since it includes a few extra bits of coverage/insurance--always good on a free rental when it's questionable whether my CC will cover me)--not for any break in rate, but for the benefits associated with them.
OK, so here's the scoop (unless the rep/agent I spoke to was misinformed, which is possible):
I'm looking specifically at a Minivan To/From MCO:
10/21/17-10/30/17
Using just my Hertz Gold Plus "discount" code (not points):
Approx: $693 "pay later" or $531 (pay now) with taxes (not including car seats, etc.)
If I use my AAA discount code (no points) the rates change:
Approx. $416 "pay later" or $372 (pay now) with taxes.
If I try to use my gold points with the AAA rate, the reason I'm seeing a higher rate, according to the phone rep is that you cannot do a "pay now" with points.
So the rate, with "redemption" and AAA discount is only one rate (before redeeming the points):
$416 "pay later"
So in essence I'd burn through points for "2 days" and in effect, get really the benefit of 1 day (not quite that) due to the lack of pre-pay discount.
In other words, I'm saving $44 with pre-pay, but it'll cost me "2 days" of points to save $16 ($60 for the 2 days, minutes the pre-pay discount I would've gotten without having to use any points).
Not exactly a good use of points, IMO.