My name was on the board twice. Once for Presidents Circle, and once for an assigned slot. I do not know why they assigned PC, I have 5-star status. I expect to have PC status in the next few months if I continue to rent through Hertz, but at this point I don't see the reason to continue to do so.

The signage was still there for the UC section, but no cars available there.

I went into the office and asked, they said UC was no more. I went to the assigned slot and saw a black Nissan Ultima, in a very basic trim level which had none of the enhanced features I have come to expect from Hertz rentals. I no longer have the ability to pick and choose a vehicle. A black car in New Orleans when it will be 95ºF is definitely not my choice, regardless of the trim level. So I went back into the office and asked for a car lighter in color, and was assigned a silver Nissan Ultima in the same trim level. One enhanced feature I look for is a car with AirPlay for music and navigation, and this was lacking.

Of course, when I got into the silver car and drove to the checkout kiosk there was all kinds of confusion and teeth gnashing because I was now in a different car than the one originally assigned to me. This had never before been an issue with the UC program.
From their website:
"As a loyalty member, you have access to a select group of cars with enhanced features."
Hertz Ultimate Choice

In the long run, I am a very brand loyal consumer. I have made Hertz my first choice in car rentals because of the UC in New Orleans, where I rent a car anywhere from 25 to 30 days per year. With the removal of UC, it now makes more sense for me to rent with other agencies more closely aligned with benefits and rewards in the AAdvantage Loyalty Points arena. I don't want to say it's just all about me, because I suspect that if I am a customer because of the UC program, there are surely many others as well.