They have a corporate policy about not upgrading platinums? Wow! I have my first reservations as a platinum starting next week in ATL and I hope it doesn't go that badly. I booked a premium, so I will see how it goes when I get there on the 18th. I will be updating back with my experiences.

This is 2 weeks in a row already of sub-par Hertz service/vehicle selection, considering I was getting nearly brand new cars with National....

Biggest issue at National is the "class creep", but the cars are new and well-maintained. Maybe National sells their old cars to Hertz? :)

So I was restudying the Platinum T&C, on the Hertz website it says:

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/...Conditions.jsp

on the T&C that came with my packet (which arrived today);

It says Maximum upgrade is to a Premium car with a minimum reserved Mid-Size vehicle.

I assume that what determines the maximum upgrade is inventory and availability, or management fickleness. Well, it certainly wasn't a question of inventory/availability, because there were plenty of cars. Must be fickleness. At any rate, a Camry can hardly be considered a Premium vehicle...

Hertz lists the Platinum status in their computer system between true Platinum and the one's who purchased it so that the employee can see. I can tell you from the Hertz perspective that Platinum members get whatever they want. Their reservations are discussed in meetings, if their is a customer service concern with one of them, the city manager gets involved. Getting a complaint from a Platinum member is very bad for the location and customer service to them is very important. If you do a lot of business travel and leisure travel the Platinum membership is well worth it. The locations you rent from will learn your preferences and have it available. You are able to call at anytime and receive a car. Even during times when the location is 100% out of cars, they will save the Platinum member their vehicle whether or not they know they will arrive. If you call the location ahead of time and set up the vehicle that you want, they will find it and keep it for you. For leisure it is great, going skiing you get your $1200 a week SUV for the discounted rate price you found. Going to Hawaii, you can have your convertible or Prestige car for the duration and if the vehicle they give you doesn't work. Call the location and they will deliver you another one.

If you are receiving any sort of customer service concerns or not getting whatever you want as a Platinum member. I would get a hold of a Location manager or if needed the City Manager to go over your requests.

Well, I emailed the City Manager and left a low rating on their customer service survey, so we'll see if anything changes this weekend. If not, I'm gone; for a service that's supposedly as exclusive as they advertise, I'm not going to waste my time and money when I can get better service elsewhere, minus the $1200.

It sounds like frmremp's information on Platinum is based on when Platinum was only available to super-VIPs. Now it's available to just about anyone for $1,200, which can easily be the cost of a few weeks of rentals.

That might make Plats a bit less important to local station managers, unless they're actually getting dinged in their performance reviews when Plats cancel their membership or complain loudly.

Well, since no one responded to my poor survey rating, I'm guessing they're not getting dinged.

Didn't realize plat works for overseas as well? LHR would be great as I often go there.

PM me if you want info on LHR terminal pick-up.

I'll +2 about crappy initial rentals as a Platinum for the last few weeks. In my last four rentals, I've been initially given a Toyota Corolla (NYC-GV (my back yard)), an Impala (AUS), a Buick (TPA), and a Large SUV at BUF (it was the nicest car at the small location, so I'll waive that one).

Each time, I've said something and was able to get the car I wanted (except in NYC most decidedly didn't give fs)... but seriously: walking out of the airport as an executive to pick up clients and being stuck in a beat up Impala at AUS (the agent at the desk was *awesome* in resolving the situation and cut me a $50 voucher) is not the level of service I expect.

It seems that I have to really advocate for myself or else I won't see any benefits at all in the program... which is a shame. I'll take the tip and start calling the location in advance. ^

I owe Hertz Platinum an apology; sorry Hertz, but I had very high expectations going into the program. The first few rentals were pretty disappointing, but they've since improved magnificently. Much more satisfied with Plat now.

I still think National is better though. :P

Did you have to do anything to increase the quality of rentals (complain, call ahead for a car)? I am thinking about Platinum but I hate the thought of constantly calling the lot to see what they have.

In my experience, you must be proactive. Have the Platinum reservation agent add specific requests to the comments for the reservation and call the location prior to arrival. Develop a relationship with managers and/or staff with influence.

That said, I've found zero difference in the quality of upgrades that I receive as a Platinum compared to being a President's Club member. However, that may have a lot to do with the fact that I follow my own advice.

I truthfully don't find the Platinum membership very valuable. While I do like the pickup and drop off, I've always received the latter as a PC and find the former less convenient than imagined. And though it was initially amusing to watch employees come to life when you walk in with a Platinum jacket in hand, it is disappointing to realize that generally speaking, that's what it takes.

Don't purchase a Platinum membership expecting better upgrades than you could secure as a PC. You're not going to rent a full size SUV and be typically upgraded to an Escalade. Maybe a Denali. Maybe an FX35 with 24K miles.

Purchase a Platinum membership only if you like to watch people dance for you, like hearing your name and the word "Platinum" spoken aloud, dislike the yellow contract jacket or think "Hertz Platinum" on your FT profile would make it look a little bigger.

Having the Platinum make notes for your reservation greatly increases your chances of an upgrade, I have discovered. :)