Originally Posted by
Dave Noble
It doesn't matter whether it was prepaid or not - the location is not required to give money back for the downgrade in this situation
This is incorrect. OP is correct that they had to hold the reservation.
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reser...=LATE&EOAG=FCO
Relevant sections copied below (which makes it sound like the reservation and vehicle is guaranteed until close or before midnight for prepaid):
"Airport locations/Railway Stations: Reservations will be held for two (2) hours past the reserved pick-up time, except if you contact your Reservation Centre to change your arrival time. Two (2) hours after the reserved pick-up time the reserved vehicle will be made available for other customers. If you arrive at the location more than two (2) hours after the reserved pick-up time, we will try to provide a vehicle for you, however, availability cannot be guaranteed.
If you are a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Member, the pick-up period will be extended to two hours in each case.
This does not apply to prepaid rentals. For prepaid rentals, the following policy applies:
Airport locations: If you do not arrive at the specified pick-up location for the prepaid rental transaction at the scheduled pick-up time, then the reservation for the transaction will be held only until 11:59 p.m. (local time) on the specified pick-up date, unless the pick-up location closes before 11:59 p.m., in which case the reservation will be held until the closing time of the location."