Originally Posted by
platbrownguy
Keep in mind that the national free day credits are good for one ways... and also keep in mind that if you have Exec Elite status (not just Exec), the guaranteed availability is really excellent. There's also a rate cap with Exec Elite status... I've been able to get cars for $90 in Maui or whatever when others reported $400/day or sold out.
So even though you're theoretically giving up 7500 AA miles per national free day (6250 AA miles if you have Exec Elite, where it's only 5 credits per free day), that's worthwhile for me. I've had some one way rentals (think, Suburban one way from Buffalo to Toronto during covid) that would have been $600 but that were covered by the free day.
Hertz runs on a different system and isn't as generous as it used to be (see above: all programs devalue all the time) but even post-devaluation Hertz points are useful to have. Unlike National, Hertz requires more points for one-way award rentals than RT but even so a Hertz OW award can still save big bucks.
I may consider moving from Hertz to National based on fleet but I would never give up rental car points in favor of more airline miles.
Diversify your modern day Green Stamps, folks.