Anyone know if Hertz is willing to comp PC (or even 5*)? I'm preferred select with Avis, and can easily meet the 40 rental qualifications. I'd like to move my business to Hertz if they're willing to comp me. What number should I call (I'm already #1 Club Gold)? TIA

I just called three numbers at Hertz:

1-800-263-0600
1-800-227-4653
1-405-775-3180

The first two numbers had people who went silent when I asked who to speak to about getting comped to Pres Circle and I had to speak again before someone replied.

At the last number the lady was very friendly and put me on hold while she asked two separate people about getting comped.

I informed them I had 64 rentals with 200+ days at Avis last year and heard great things about Pres Circle but did not want to give up any of my current benefits to earn this. I also said that I was able to provide full documentation and mentioned that I was already at 6 rentals this month with 21 rental days so far.

I also let them know that I am looking at 75 to 80 rentals this year with 300+ rental days.

Every single phone number gave me the same answer:

You will will first have to join Hertz Gold and then earn your 40 rentals at which time you will receive Presidents Circle.

It was almost as though it was a script or something..lol

Does anyone have any suggestions or an email address that one might try to get some serious response to a legit inquiry? Avis treats me awesome but I have seen a few airport locations that come in around $40 to $50 cheaper on a 4 to 5 day rental(namely YUL) and that's pretty significant even with the great service from Avis.

I can do 40 rentals to keep PC with no problems after it is comped (hopefully).

Thanks for any help you might have.

Good luck, but I doubt it. It's even hard for regular Hertz Gold members to get comped to PC (I've never heard of such a case).

UALOneKPlus, I realize that many people try to get a bump up in their own programs and often get turned down. I have noticed that many hotels, and even some airlines, will comp top tier status when you fax your history to them.

I found a name on another thread for someone at corporate and sent them a fax inquiring about this. I was very polite and mentioned that many PC's on the FlyerTalk web site had mentioned their satisfaction with the program, hence my request to try it.

I even said that if they could just forward the fax on to the appropriate department and have them call/email with an informed answer (yes or no) that it would be appreciated.

I won't be upset if I don't get it, but one would think that given the current state of the travel industry that if they had a chance to get even one person with a proven record they might be interested. Let's say they get half of my rentals, this would be 40 rentals or 150 days which could realistically be $7,000 in newrevenue. Not bad for providing a free one year trial that would expire Dec 31.

Oh well, I figure it was worth the cost of a fax

Is having 40 rentals in a calendar year the only way to qualify for PC? Or can it also be earned via # of rental days? YTD I am on my 5th rental and my 18th rental day. I am looking at 13 guaranteed rentals on the year at 60 days. Of course there is a huge possibility (98%) that my estimation will double, but the example would then only be 26 rentals at 120 days, which still falls way short of the 40 rentals required.

That was the same question that I had. I rent weekly, but it is for the whole week. It sure would be nice if they would do a "Amount of Days" along with the # of rentals.

Anyone heard if they will do this or is it 40 RENTALS or nothing?

"Is having 40 rentals in a calendar year the only way to qualify for PC?"

It isn't, it can be done in 30 by using a non US/Canada address for membership

"Or can it also be earned via # of rental days?"

I don't believe so. It has been reported on here that it is possible to attain it based on expenditure, for the US, USD7000 is the figure I seem to recall being bandied around.

"YTD I am on my 5th rental and my 18th rental day. I am looking at 13 guaranteed rentals on the year at 60 days. Of course there is a huge possibility (98%) that my estimation will double, but the example would then only be 26 rentals at 120 days, which still falls way short of the 40 rentals required."

If doing around 26 rentals, I would suggest moving your account to another country and then seeing if you can get the extra 4 somehow. If you could do few rentals where rather than renting for 3 days, do a 2 day and 1 day rental , that would help climb the remaining steps

Dave

Thanks for the update Dave. What are the real benefits of PC? I don't know if it is worth having to go back mid-week to return a car and pick up a new one to get my # of rentals high enough to qualify. Most of my rentals are 5 day rentals, it's a shame that they don't take that into consideration.

Guaranteed availability of cars is a very useful benefit plus the guaranteed upgrade is good

Dave

The "real" real benefit of PC, as much as my 1K status, means that Hertz will treat you a little bit better than the average Joe. I've gotten and asked for things that a normal renter probably would not get.

It's this attitude of service, more than any stated benefit, is the most valuable to me.

40 rentals is the standard for PC. However, I did 36 this year as a PC but over 200 days (near 250) and I was comped PC for 2003. I happened to talk to a great CSR and she talked to a supervisor and they reviewed my account. I was on hold for ~10 - 15 minuted while they verified my account and they saw I had been loyal except for 1999. I came back and they see the dollars I spend and thought it was worth it for Hertz. BTW, they are right, it is worth it because I spend a gross amount in annual car rental. It was a WIN/WIN for Hertz and myself.

A Canadian address requires 20 rentals in a year for PC status.

interesting. I wonder why so many programs differ in their requirements for status depending on once registered address.

Irr9900 Is it in any info that you have from them on this? I'm Canadian as well and didn't know that there were different requirements for us. If you can elaborate further it would be appreciated

I can live with no upgrades for 20 rentals while I qualify for PC but 40 is pretty hard to give up when I get upgrades every week with Avis.

From the Hertz website. Note the last sentence - for Canada only

Hertz #1 Club Gold President's CircleSM
Terms & Conditions


Qualification
Qualification for the President's Circle is 20+ qualifying rentals within the qualification period. Qualification periods begin on January 1 and run through December 31 of every year. All qualified rentals within that timeframe will be tallied and new membership cards issued the following February. Annual requalification is required.
Guaranteed Upgrades and Availability
Guaranteed one-car-class upgrade or comparable benefits offered only at Hertz participating locations in the US and Canada and select European locations. Maximum upgrade is to a Premium (Class G) car with a minimum reserved Mid-Size Vehicle (Class C). For Compact 4-Door (Class B) rentals, maximum upgrade will be to a Full-Size 4-Door (Class F) car.
Guaranteed Availability of Standard Equipment Vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with a minimum 2 hour advance reservation available at participating locations. Does not apply to coupon offers.
Free Rental Days and Coupon Offers
A Free Rental Day Certificate will be sent out automatically after every 7 qualifying rentals and may be redeemed at participating Hertz locations. #1 Club number must be given at time of reservation. Free Rental Day Certificates can be combined up to 3 days. Free Rental Day Certificates may be used and combined during blackout periods subject to the following minimum rental periods; 2 paid rental days required for 1 free rental day; 4 paid rental days required for 2 free rental days; 6 paid rental days required for 3 free rental days.
Free Day Certificate CANADA Blackout Events: Canada Day, Toronto June 28-June 30, 2001; Civic Holiday, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, August 2- 4, 2001; Christmas Peak, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto December 20 -26, 2001. U.S. Blackout Events: CES, Las Vegas, NV January 1-10, 2001; President's Week , Reno, NV February 15-18, 2001, All Florida locations February 15-22, 2001; Masters Golf, Atlanta, Atlanta Metro, Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC April 1-5, 2001; Furniture Mart -Spring, Greensboro & Raleigh, NC April 15-20,2001, Charlotte, NC April 13-19,2001; Networld/ Interop, Las Vegas, NV May 5-9,2001; Telecomm Supercomm Atlanta, GA June 3-6,2001; Outdoor Retailers, Salt Lake City, UT August 13-16,2001; Networld/ Interop, Atlanta, GA September 9-12,2001; Furniture Mart -Fall, Greensboro & Raleigh, NC October 14-19,2001, Charlotte, NC October 12-18,2001; Comdex, Las Vegas, NV November 10-13, 2001; Christmas/NewYears, Denver Metro Area December 23-26,2001, Hawaii, December 20-27,2001, Reno, NV, December 20-26,2001, All Florida Locations December 20-28,2001.
Please note that most of the events above will roll over year-to-year.
Coupon offers will be unrestricted as to date of use and may be used during peak periods of demand. Coupon offers are valid on Standard Equipment Vehicles (Classes B,C,D or F) and are subject to vehicle availability. These Offers may not be combined with any other offer or discount.
Bonus Points
The President's Circle 25% bonus Hertz #1 Awards Points will be automatically calculated and credited to your account, if #1 Club Number and code ZE1 are provided at time of reservation, rental or return. The ZE1 code must be used in place of any other frequent traveler program number. Bonus is granted only in Hertz #1 Awards Points and not on frequent traveler miles/credits or hotel points.
All Hertz #1 Awards� Points Terms and Conditions apply.
General
All Hertz #1 Club Gold Membership and Rental Terms and Conditions apply, including the right to change, limit or modify the Hertz #1 Club Gold President's Circle program or portions of the program at any time. The program may be terminated by Hertz upon six months' notice to members.

Above terms and conditions are applicable to resident Canadian #1 Club Gold Members only.