"Working the upgrade" at Hertz locations in Europe
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 176
"Working the upgrade" at Hertz locations in Europe
I've become pretty good at working the counter staff at US Hertz locations to get a good upgrade by pitching in some extra $$ and allowing them to try to upsell me. Often a good upgrade can be had for relatively low $$.
However, in Europe I have not been able to work any specials at the time of rental. The counter staff there are able to put me into a different category of car, but then want to reprice it as if I had booked it into the higher class on Hertz.com -- in other words, no real deal.
Any tips to get a better car in Europe? If it matters, usually I book an I6 class and get a BMW 3 series.
However, in Europe I have not been able to work any specials at the time of rental. The counter staff there are able to put me into a different category of car, but then want to reprice it as if I had booked it into the higher class on Hertz.com -- in other words, no real deal.
Any tips to get a better car in Europe? If it matters, usually I book an I6 class and get a BMW 3 series.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 23
Same here. Last year heading to my sisters wedding, I'd been allocated a VW Passat. Looking around the lot, there were plenty of more desirable cars such as Audis, Mercedes, but when I went and asked if I could pay to get an upgrade, they would only reprice to the 'walk up' rate for those cars which needless to say is very expensive.
The times that I have landed good upgrades have been when I've booked a model that was then unavailable at time of pickup. For example I had a great run of booking 'green collection' intermediates, and getting upgraded to prestige or fun collection cars. In the last few months I've not seen a single upgrade though, and I can see why, because I'm seeing far fewer high-end cars on the lot. I guess they've scaled back because of the economy, so there is no oversupply anymore.
The times that I have landed good upgrades have been when I've booked a model that was then unavailable at time of pickup. For example I had a great run of booking 'green collection' intermediates, and getting upgraded to prestige or fun collection cars. In the last few months I've not seen a single upgrade though, and I can see why, because I'm seeing far fewer high-end cars on the lot. I guess they've scaled back because of the economy, so there is no oversupply anymore.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MOW
Programs: LH Senator, SU Gold, S7 Gold, CO Gold, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum, Europcar First
Posts: 80
Follow http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13149948-post1562.html - free one class upgrade in 2010 in Europe.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 176
For some reason I am getting all kinds of trouble trying to book at Hertz.com with a pick-up at AMS. I am usually renting I6 class (Special, Full-Size, Manual) in Berlin, but nothing like that is coming up. Had to pick up the phone (the horror!) and talk to a human to get the reservation done.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 176
Follow http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13149948-post1562.html - free one class upgrade in 2010 in Europe.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam&Stuttgart& Edinburgh
Programs: IC Amb.,FB,Hertz,Sixt
Posts: 776
I try not to rent in amsterdam these days, last 3 times i booked a golf got a ford fusion according to them it is the same class. Attitude was take it or leave it!! Good luck
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam&Stuttgart& Edinburgh
Programs: IC Amb.,FB,Hertz,Sixt
Posts: 776
Razdva, I just tried your codes for a booking, it comes in €6 cheaper(€386 opposed to €392) but main problem is then limit the mileage to 1750kms for the week. This was for a rental in Stuttgart, maybe differant in other countries.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MOW
Programs: LH Senator, SU Gold, S7 Gold, CO Gold, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum, Europcar First
Posts: 80
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#10
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Prague
Programs: Skywards Gold, FB Silver, BA Silver, AMB PC Plat Amb, CX Gold, Hertz 5*,HH Gold,AClub Plat
Posts: 399
ha....I rent there 1x per month.....AMS @Schiphol just plain out sucks.....as well as the staff......just picked up a D class today (again, same crappy Toyota Verso as 2x in the past) and an employee ( I speak Dutch) just got a brand new Lancia to take home for the night.....
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam&Stuttgart& Edinburgh
Programs: IC Amb.,FB,Hertz,Sixt
Posts: 776
Maybe they like to keep the nice cars for staff! That might explain their pricing ,I have to rent in Feb they wanted €450 a day for a MB C class with 0 free kms and €2.90per/km
At that rate they must keep most for staff
At that rate they must keep most for staff