Hertz 24/7 (was Hertz on Demand (was Hertz Connect))

Yes, the cars have an RFID sensor usually mounted to the windshield or driver's side window. When you put the pendant on the sensor the car unlocks and lets you in. You also use the pendant to lock the car when you park it, since the key is usually tethered to the dashboard or center console so it can't be removed from the car.

Last night at LGA there was no car for me. HOD has said that if I send in my taxi receipt I will be reimbursed up to $50 (excludes any tips and tolls though). I'll advise on whether I do get paid or given a future voucher for the amoung.

HOD customer support has been very good to me when my reservations have gotten fouled up. I would fully expect them to pay your cab fare via a credit to your account and maybe throw in something for your inconvenience.

FWIW, I had to get my one-way to JFK rebooked by customer service last Saturday when they couldn't fulfill my reservation (see my earlier post on the ongoing issues for NYC). Since Hurricane Sandy, two of my three one-ways to the airport have needed intervenion by HOD customer support and one of my two one-ways from the airport were cancelled. I can't even make a one-way reservation from the airport these days.

Just as an update, I just received a call from HOD; they can't honor my one-way reservation tomorrow to LGA (not even converting a round-trip to a one-way) so I will take them up on their cab offer and report how the refund process goes.

I emailed my taxi receipt followed up by a fax and had a confirmation of credit within two hours. HOD customer service has been very efficient for me.

You are lucky. I have had the worst experience with Hertz on Demand. After reserving a car in advance I received no less than five separate notifications each time changing the car and location due to "logistical problems". The final shift was from my original full size reservation to a Fiat 500 at a location 40 minutes away. I cancelled and went to the local rental office where the two people in front of me had the same exact story. Customer service by Hertz On Demand really seems to be a problem in Manhattan. They seem to think they can cancel reservations at their whim.
I can believe one logistical problem, but five times in one week stretches the limits.

Is it no longer possible to book one-way rentals from EWR and JFK? I was trying to book a car and while I can find LGA, both EWR and JFK are no longer even listed under locations - not full, just not there.

Same issue. Trying to book a one way from Manhattan to Newark Airport. Is there any secret to getting such a booking?

I had to call HOD to book to/from EWR. The interactive map seems to have an issue. HOD web site and systems seem to suck but their telephone reps are really good at solving problems.

HoD seems to list a bunch of cars that simply aren't there. At each location near me, there's at least a couple of cars that cannot be booked for any period within the next week. But the website will allow you to book those cars two weeks in advance. Like clockwork, those reservations will get moved to a different car a few days or a week before the reservation date. Their system is simply a mess compared to zipcar. I've only had zipcar change a reservation on my once in a year.

I signed up for HoD after getting an email from Hertz offering $25 in driving credits for signing up. I've looked at my new account, and I can't find the driving credits. Should I be able to find the in my account?

I don't know of a way to see it online. You'll have to call in to ask about it.

I just tried to book a one way from LGA next month and the icon for LGA no longer shows up on the interactive map (as well as EWR and I guess probably JFK.) Is this due to a shortage of cars. Its a real pain to have to call and make a reservation.

I landed at LGA last night and had a text that there is no car available. When I called HOD they offered to either pay for my cab or have me take a regular Hertz rental. Since the taxi line was long I took the Hertz rental.

The entire process at the Hertz facility was smooth, took about two minutes. When I got to the garage at Morton and 7th where I was told to drop off the vehicle (a regular Hertz office) the attendant tells me I cannot return the car now because Hertz is closed. I called HOD back and they said just leave it and tell the attendant to write up a ticket, put it on the dash and Hertz will deal with it in the morning. I subsequently got an invoice that looks like a $75 credit(?) I'll double check my Amex account in a few days. I had a prior credit that should have paid for this booking.

It will be interesting to see if the HOD service improves now that Avis is getting into the business with their Zipcar acquisition.