Mar 29, 2017, 6:02 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Questions regarding specific locations (eg, "I am Renting From XXX; What Might I Get?") may be moved to specific/dedicated threads for that location. All major airport codes may be searched using FlyerTalk's search engine; otherwise, words in " " quotation marks will bypass the character limit filter.
Overview of Service and List of Existing and Future Airport Locations: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/produ...ate_choice.jsp
Am I Eligible? Is My Vehicle Eligible?
Q. Who can use Ultimate Choice?
Any member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is eligible to use Ultimate Choice. The areas you can select from depend on your status in the program (President's Circle, Five Star, or Gold).
Q. What is the minimum booking class to be eligible to freely select cars from Ultimate Choice?
A. You can book anything other than an Economy (A), Compact (B), or Manager's Special (EXAR) vehicle, and be eligible for Ultimate Choice.
Q. What if I book a lower class such as Economy or Compact or Manager's Special?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class (or higher, as a complimentary upgrade) in a marked space.
Q. What happens if I book a Economy or Compact but pick a higher-class car from Ultimate Choice?
A. You will likely be asked to pay the midsize rental rate by the gate agent.
Q. What if I book a Fullsize car but find a lower class car in Ultimate Choice that I like better?
A. You may chose to take it, but you will pay the originally-booked Fullsize rate.
Q. What if I book a Adrenaline/Electric/Hybrid/Luxury/Prestige car or a Minivan/Truck/SUV?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class in a marked space. You can either accept it or chose a car from Ultimate Choice.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for one-way rentals?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for award rentals?
A. Yes, provided the reservation is for a mid-size car or higher.
Overview of Service and List of Existing and Future Airport Locations: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/produ...ate_choice.jsp
Am I Eligible? Is My Vehicle Eligible?
Q. Who can use Ultimate Choice?
Any member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is eligible to use Ultimate Choice. The areas you can select from depend on your status in the program (President's Circle, Five Star, or Gold).
Q. What is the minimum booking class to be eligible to freely select cars from Ultimate Choice?
A. You can book anything other than an Economy (A), Compact (B), or Manager's Special (EXAR) vehicle, and be eligible for Ultimate Choice.
Q. What if I book a lower class such as Economy or Compact or Manager's Special?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class (or higher, as a complimentary upgrade) in a marked space.
Q. What happens if I book a Economy or Compact but pick a higher-class car from Ultimate Choice?
A. You will likely be asked to pay the midsize rental rate by the gate agent.
Q. What if I book a Fullsize car but find a lower class car in Ultimate Choice that I like better?
A. You may chose to take it, but you will pay the originally-booked Fullsize rate.
Q. What if I book a Adrenaline/Electric/Hybrid/Luxury/Prestige car or a Minivan/Truck/SUV?
A. You will be assigned a car from that class in a marked space. You can either accept it or chose a car from Ultimate Choice.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for one-way rentals?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use Ultimate Choice for award rentals?
A. Yes, provided the reservation is for a mid-size car or higher.
Questions/Discussion About Hertz Ultimate Choice Service
Sep 19, 2019, 4:08 pm
#736
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 65
Question from a new Presidents Circle member - I am renting an SUV in PHX (one way rental returning to Mesa airport in Phoenix). Am I still eligible to use pick something from the Ultimate Choice section? What if they assign me a car number pre-arrival? Can I just not take that car and go get a new one? Ideally I would like to get a nicer SUV than what I reserved (Nissan Pathfinder). My car was only marginally more than the intermediate car so I figured if I can guarantee the SUV and hope for an upgrade it is better than getting stuck with a regular car.
Oct 2, 2019, 7:58 am
#737
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3
Hi,
Hope somone experienced can help me out. Im totally new to Hertz in the US, but have PC-status. We have booked a class D (SCAR) from MIA returning to the same location. The confirmation says Cold Canopy service. Im the registered renter, but the person traveling with me will also need to be registered (in my experience not the smoothest process with Avis, did not attempt with Hertz yet) As mentioned i can not recall having used Hertz before in the US, but i do have a credit card registered to my profile
My questoons are:
- Will I be able to use Ultimate Choice with my class D booking? Am i right in assuming that i will have a car assigned to me, which i can accept and then change when in the lots if IU find something i prefer in the UC section?
- Should i go to the main counter to register an additional driver? Can this affecct my choices in cars, considering im meant to skip straight to the lots and the gate?
- Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any help or advice.
Hope somone experienced can help me out. Im totally new to Hertz in the US, but have PC-status. We have booked a class D (SCAR) from MIA returning to the same location. The confirmation says Cold Canopy service. Im the registered renter, but the person traveling with me will also need to be registered (in my experience not the smoothest process with Avis, did not attempt with Hertz yet) As mentioned i can not recall having used Hertz before in the US, but i do have a credit card registered to my profile
My questoons are:
- Will I be able to use Ultimate Choice with my class D booking? Am i right in assuming that i will have a car assigned to me, which i can accept and then change when in the lots if IU find something i prefer in the UC section?
- Should i go to the main counter to register an additional driver? Can this affecct my choices in cars, considering im meant to skip straight to the lots and the gate?
- Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any help or advice.
Oct 2, 2019, 10:06 am
#738
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
My questoons are:
- Will I be able to use Ultimate Choice with my class D booking? Am i right in assuming that i will have a car assigned to me, which i can accept and then change when in the lots if IU find something i prefer in the UC section?
- Should i go to the main counter to register an additional driver? Can this affecct my choices in cars, considering im meant to skip straight to the lots and the gate?
- Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any help or advice.
- Will I be able to use Ultimate Choice with my class D booking? Am i right in assuming that i will have a car assigned to me, which i can accept and then change when in the lots if IU find something i prefer in the UC section?
- Should i go to the main counter to register an additional driver? Can this affecct my choices in cars, considering im meant to skip straight to the lots and the gate?
- Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for any help or advice.
- There should be a Gold booth in/near the lot (can't remember MIA off the top of my head) and you should absolutely declare the other driver there if you're a PC member (usually much faster than the main counter). I've never had to do an extra driver but the idea of attempting to do that at the gate makes me cringe... and if I were stuck behind you doing it at the gate I may rage against the machine. One strategy that has worked for me/been encouraged by the Hertz staff in other "special" cases is to find a car you like, dump your luggage in it and grab the keys before heading to the Gold booth to process the paperwork. They can assign that car to you there and print your contract making the pass through the gate easier/faster (just verifying the ID matches the contract rather than all of the other steps)
Oct 4, 2019, 8:50 am
#739
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3
- You should be able to use UC with that booking. For Hertz facilities doing ultimate choice on non-specialty ultimate choice eligible reservations there is no car assigned. Typically you go to the lot, hop in a car you like and drive to the gate. Only if you have a specialty vehicle (like a SUV or truck or ...) is it likely you'll find something pre-assigned -- and even then (IME) it's not a guarantee. Though I'm very rarely intending to rent a SUV so my sample is skewed.
- There should be a Gold booth in/near the lot (can't remember MIA off the top of my head) and you should absolutely declare the other driver there if you're a PC member (usually much faster than the main counter). I've never had to do an extra driver but the idea of attempting to do that at the gate makes me cringe... and if I were stuck behind you doing it at the gate I may rage against the machine. One strategy that has worked for me/been encouraged by the Hertz staff in other "special" cases is to find a car you like, dump your luggage in it and grab the keys before heading to the Gold booth to process the paperwork. They can assign that car to you there and print your contract making the pass through the gate easier/faster (just verifying the ID matches the contract rather than all of the other steps)
- There should be a Gold booth in/near the lot (can't remember MIA off the top of my head) and you should absolutely declare the other driver there if you're a PC member (usually much faster than the main counter). I've never had to do an extra driver but the idea of attempting to do that at the gate makes me cringe... and if I were stuck behind you doing it at the gate I may rage against the machine. One strategy that has worked for me/been encouraged by the Hertz staff in other "special" cases is to find a car you like, dump your luggage in it and grab the keys before heading to the Gold booth to process the paperwork. They can assign that car to you there and print your contract making the pass through the gate easier/faster (just verifying the ID matches the contract rather than all of the other steps)
Oct 6, 2019, 8:38 am
#742
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Ambassador, AA Platinum, Avis Pres Club, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 564
Oct 6, 2019, 10:34 am
#743
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,342
I think that if you go here https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/vehic...ple%20Carrier# then you will see the classifications that Hertz give to them.
Oct 8, 2019, 10:12 pm
#744
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Hey guys, I am Gold status and I booked a Fullsize (FCAR) class. My name was on the board saying Gold zone. The Gold zone was empty so I went back and told the agent and he said go pick from 5*.
I was expecting to be charged extra at the gate but I wasn't. The car I picked was a Chevy Equinox. Even on the return receipt it said "Charged: F" and "Rented: F4". So why wasn't I charged extra?
I was expecting to be charged extra at the gate but I wasn't. The car I picked was a Chevy Equinox. Even on the return receipt it said "Charged: F" and "Rented: F4". So why wasn't I charged extra?
Last edited by TravelingIsLit; Oct 8, 2019 at 10:13 pm Reason: Spelling
Oct 8, 2019, 10:20 pm
#745
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Carlson Gold, CM Presidential / *A Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,648
Hey guys, I am Gold status and I booked a Fullsize (FCAR) class. My name was on the board saying Gold zone. The Gold zone was empty so I went back and told the agent and he said go pick from 5*.
I was expecting to be charged extra at the gate but I wasn't. The car I picked was a Chevy Equinox. Even on the return receipt it said "Charged: F" and "Rented: F4". So why wasn't I charged extra?
I was expecting to be charged extra at the gate but I wasn't. The car I picked was a Chevy Equinox. Even on the return receipt it said "Charged: F" and "Rented: F4". So why wasn't I charged extra?
Regarding F vs F4, as it was in the "gold" aisle, it doesn't matter. I have reserved/paid for a C (intermediate), with 5* status, and taken an I car in the 5* aisle - there is no increase in price. I am sure that others here have had much bigger differences than C vs I
As you are booking F, you can also take from the Full size aisle, as well as the ones lower than that too (A/B/C/D)
Oct 8, 2019, 10:38 pm
#746
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Personally I would be annoyed if I was told to take from a higher level aisle only to then be charged for it. There seems to be some latitude regarding taking from a higher level aisle in general. If the gate agent cared, they might question why you are taking a car in 5* (if it was marked on their system as being in 5* in the first place), a quick explanation regarding your circumstance should sort it. It would be different if one were to be taking cars from a higher level aisle without expressed permission from one of the staff members first (which obviously goes to he-says-she-says if questions are asked)
Regarding F vs F4, as it was in the "gold" aisle, it doesn't matter. I have reserved/paid for a C (intermediate), with 5* status, and taken an I car in the 5* aisle - there is no increase in price. I am sure that others here have had much bigger differences than C vs I
As you are booking F, you can also take from the Full size aisle, as well as the ones lower than that too (A/B/C/D)
Regarding F vs F4, as it was in the "gold" aisle, it doesn't matter. I have reserved/paid for a C (intermediate), with 5* status, and taken an I car in the 5* aisle - there is no increase in price. I am sure that others here have had much bigger differences than C vs I
As you are booking F, you can also take from the Full size aisle, as well as the ones lower than that too (A/B/C/D)
Well the F4 car I took was in the 5* aisle and I'm only Gold status. The gate agent didn't say anything. So what stops me next time from taking a car from 5*? Is there actually a system in place that prevents lower tiers from taking cars from upper tier zones? Or did I just get lucky and the gate agent didn't check correctly?
Last edited by TravelingIsLit; Oct 8, 2019 at 10:39 pm Reason: Forgot to quote
Oct 9, 2019, 4:02 am
#747
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
Well the F4 car I took was in the 5* aisle and I'm only Gold status. The gate agent didn't say anything. So what stops me next time from taking a car from 5*? Is there actually a system in place that prevents lower tiers from taking cars from upper tier zones? Or did I just get lucky and the gate agent didn't check correctly?
There's some evidence of a system that tracks where cars are placed in the lot, but it's not clear how it works or how reliably they use it. You might get lucky a few times but I wouldn't recommend it. The cars in FS aren't usually that appreciably better anyway.
Oct 21, 2019, 8:34 pm
#750
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Hertz PC, Hyatt Colleague, Avis Preferred/Budget FB, National Exeuctive
Posts: 63
Simple answer: They let you take from Five Star because Gold was empty.
There's some evidence of a system that tracks where cars are placed in the lot, but it's not clear how it works or how reliably they use it. You might get lucky a few times but I wouldn't recommend it. The cars in FS aren't usually that appreciably better anyway.
There's some evidence of a system that tracks where cars are placed in the lot, but it's not clear how it works or how reliably they use it. You might get lucky a few times but I wouldn't recommend it. The cars in FS aren't usually that appreciably better anyway.