Consolidated "Renting at SFO; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Jul 15, 2019, 11:36 am
#181
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
You forgot the impact of the Hertz points devaluation. I bet, even after accounting for a holiday lull, competitors were charging more for the same category. Disgruntled customers were fleeing Hertz and increasing competitors' demand.
Jul 15, 2019, 12:22 pm
#182
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Do you have any actual evidence for this? Right now, I'm certainly not seeing Hertz experiencing any meaningful price impact.
Jul 15, 2019, 2:05 pm
#183
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,210
Yes. Right after the devaluation, I did. It may have since leveled off somewhat.
My roadtrip vacation this year was in the Charlotte area. I broke up my trip into several one-ways. I had a regular free day with National that would otherwise expire this year, enough points for 3 free one-way days with Hertz, and a still-evolving itinerary not sure of which airport I'd ultimately fly out of. As it turned out, I could theoretically have done a simple CLT roundtrip with Hotwire, with an opaque rate maybe $50 more, and much less visiting small airports (CAE, AGS, GSP) often somewhat out of the way. But then I wouldn't have had time to use my free days, finish off my loyalty to Hertz, choose my own car once, and observe some intriguing pricing anomalies.
I checked every possible permutation, with each location along my route, from simple roundtrips, to clockwise one-ways (what I wound up doing), to counterclockwise one-ways (would have had to pay for more expensive private tours, since almost everything in the area is Wed/Fri/Sat and closed Sun/Mon).
In all cases, I observed Hertz prices starting off the usual premium above everyone else's, but this time, quickly sinking below Alamo. Even when the others were sold out, Hertz, and its unusually low prices, remained available. The small airport garages I visited seemed to have more Hertz cars untouched relative to competitors. As temperatures in the Piedmont South were rising, demand in general was falling. But even accounting for seasonality, the difference was hard to ignore.
I also contemplated an unusually cheap Hertz one-way home, from LGA to the northwest suburbs. A family member was able to pick me up, so I didn't. But I almost never see such a low rate, especially in the peak summer season. Once or twice in the winter, maybe, and even then usually not with Hertz.
My roadtrip vacation this year was in the Charlotte area. I broke up my trip into several one-ways. I had a regular free day with National that would otherwise expire this year, enough points for 3 free one-way days with Hertz, and a still-evolving itinerary not sure of which airport I'd ultimately fly out of. As it turned out, I could theoretically have done a simple CLT roundtrip with Hotwire, with an opaque rate maybe $50 more, and much less visiting small airports (CAE, AGS, GSP) often somewhat out of the way. But then I wouldn't have had time to use my free days, finish off my loyalty to Hertz, choose my own car once, and observe some intriguing pricing anomalies.
I checked every possible permutation, with each location along my route, from simple roundtrips, to clockwise one-ways (what I wound up doing), to counterclockwise one-ways (would have had to pay for more expensive private tours, since almost everything in the area is Wed/Fri/Sat and closed Sun/Mon).
In all cases, I observed Hertz prices starting off the usual premium above everyone else's, but this time, quickly sinking below Alamo. Even when the others were sold out, Hertz, and its unusually low prices, remained available. The small airport garages I visited seemed to have more Hertz cars untouched relative to competitors. As temperatures in the Piedmont South were rising, demand in general was falling. But even accounting for seasonality, the difference was hard to ignore.
I also contemplated an unusually cheap Hertz one-way home, from LGA to the northwest suburbs. A family member was able to pick me up, so I didn't. But I almost never see such a low rate, especially in the peak summer season. Once or twice in the winter, maybe, and even then usually not with Hertz.
Last edited by Auto Enthusiast; Jul 15, 2019 at 2:11 pm
Jul 15, 2019, 7:27 pm
#184
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Yes. Right after the devaluation, I did. It may have since leveled off somewhat.
My roadtrip vacation this year was in the Charlotte area. I broke up my trip into several one-ways. I had a regular free day with National that would otherwise expire this year, enough points for 3 free one-way days with Hertz, and a still-evolving itinerary not sure of which airport I'd ultimately fly out of. As it turned out, I could theoretically have done a simple CLT roundtrip with Hotwire, with an opaque rate maybe $50 more, and much less visiting small airports (CAE, AGS, GSP) often somewhat out of the way. But then I wouldn't have had time to use my free days, finish off my loyalty to Hertz, choose my own car once, and observe some intriguing pricing anomalies.
I checked every possible permutation, with each location along my route, from simple roundtrips, to clockwise one-ways (what I wound up doing), to counterclockwise one-ways (would have had to pay for more expensive private tours, since almost everything in the area is Wed/Fri/Sat and closed Sun/Mon).
In all cases, I observed Hertz prices starting off the usual premium above everyone else's, but this time, quickly sinking below Alamo. Even when the others were sold out, Hertz, and its unusually low prices, remained available. The small airport garages I visited seemed to have more Hertz cars untouched relative to competitors. As temperatures in the Piedmont South were rising, demand in general was falling. But even accounting for seasonality, the difference was hard to ignore.
I also contemplated an unusually cheap Hertz one-way home, from LGA to the northwest suburbs. A family member was able to pick me up, so I didn't. But I almost never see such a low rate, especially in the peak summer season. Once or twice in the winter, maybe, and even then usually not with Hertz.
My roadtrip vacation this year was in the Charlotte area. I broke up my trip into several one-ways. I had a regular free day with National that would otherwise expire this year, enough points for 3 free one-way days with Hertz, and a still-evolving itinerary not sure of which airport I'd ultimately fly out of. As it turned out, I could theoretically have done a simple CLT roundtrip with Hotwire, with an opaque rate maybe $50 more, and much less visiting small airports (CAE, AGS, GSP) often somewhat out of the way. But then I wouldn't have had time to use my free days, finish off my loyalty to Hertz, choose my own car once, and observe some intriguing pricing anomalies.
I checked every possible permutation, with each location along my route, from simple roundtrips, to clockwise one-ways (what I wound up doing), to counterclockwise one-ways (would have had to pay for more expensive private tours, since almost everything in the area is Wed/Fri/Sat and closed Sun/Mon).
In all cases, I observed Hertz prices starting off the usual premium above everyone else's, but this time, quickly sinking below Alamo. Even when the others were sold out, Hertz, and its unusually low prices, remained available. The small airport garages I visited seemed to have more Hertz cars untouched relative to competitors. As temperatures in the Piedmont South were rising, demand in general was falling. But even accounting for seasonality, the difference was hard to ignore.
I also contemplated an unusually cheap Hertz one-way home, from LGA to the northwest suburbs. A family member was able to pick me up, so I didn't. But I almost never see such a low rate, especially in the peak summer season. Once or twice in the winter, maybe, and even then usually not with Hertz.
Jul 16, 2019, 2:04 am
#185
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3
I reserved a Fullsize SUV Categorie FFAR at SFO for 31 AUgustus.
How big is the change I get the GMC Yukon ? Or should I count on 1 of the similars ?
If you reserve a Fullsize SUV do they always have on reserved or is their a change they will try to give me another level?
How big is the change I get the GMC Yukon ? Or should I count on 1 of the similars ?
If you reserve a Fullsize SUV do they always have on reserved or is their a change they will try to give me another level?
Jul 16, 2019, 4:38 am
#186
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
I reserved a Fullsize SUV Categorie FFAR at SFO for 31 AUgustus.
How big is the change I get the GMC Yukon ? Or should I count on 1 of the similars ?
If you reserve a Fullsize SUV do they always have on reserved or is their a change they will try to give me another level?
How big is the change I get the GMC Yukon ? Or should I count on 1 of the similars ?
If you reserve a Fullsize SUV do they always have on reserved or is their a change they will try to give me another level?
You should get at least what you booked - I'd be surprised to see a downgrade as FFAR is a ffarly common category. You might also get a Nissan Armada, Infiniti, etc. I haven't seen many Fords in this category lately.
Jul 16, 2019, 6:35 am
#187
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
The fleet is mostly Chevy Tahoes but there's very little difference: the Yukon is maybe *slightly* plusher but it's the same car.
You should get at least what you booked - I'd be surprised to see a downgrade as FFAR is a ffarly common category. You might also get a Nissan Armada, Infiniti, etc. I haven't seen many Fords in this category lately.
You should get at least what you booked - I'd be surprised to see a downgrade as FFAR is a ffarly common category. You might also get a Nissan Armada, Infiniti, etc. I haven't seen many Fords in this category lately.
Aug 26, 2019, 9:25 am
#191
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: NW GE
Posts: 605
Had V4 (american muscle) and C reservations. Carfirmation on landing was a black dodge challenger. Walked in to find a sea of maroon, black, white and grey base model dodge challengers in PC. Asked at gold booth if they had a Camaro SS or Mustang GT hardtop instead of a challenger for the V4 res, given a stall and a new carfirmation for a Mustang but no car in that spot (way in back corner). Went back and was told to go choose any challenger from PC section, which I did, but made sure they used my C res when leaving. Between airtrain and walking the huge lot several times, took almost an hour from landing to driving away.
Aug 26, 2019, 11:15 am
#192
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 236
Had V4 (american muscle) and C reservations. Carfirmation on landing was a black dodge challenger. Walked in to find a sea of maroon, black, white and grey base model dodge challengers in PC. Asked at gold booth if they had a Camaro SS or Mustang GT hardtop instead of a challenger for the V4 res, given a stall and a new carfirmation for a Mustang but no car in that spot (way in back corner). Went back and was told to go choose any challenger from PC section, which I did, but made sure they used my C res when leaving. Between airtrain and walking the huge lot several times, took almost an hour from landing to driving away.
Aug 26, 2019, 1:48 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: NW GE
Posts: 605
Yep, original carfirmation for a no option RT challenger with higher miles (8k) than several in the PC section (2-3k). Took the lowest one I could find in PC which was ~1900ish.
Sep 20, 2019, 9:16 pm
#194
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Programs: HertzPresCircle, Virgin Atlantic Gold,Hil-Diam, Europcar Elite Vip, Emirates Gold, MarriottTitanium.
Posts: 419
Today (Friday) between 3-5pm literally Kia's, Kia's, Kia's and a GMC terrain in President circle. Yes i waited for 2 hours for something better/ proper to show up and tried bribing the attendants to move something nicer in but nope. At the end took Kia sorento 2020 with 11 miles on it. Very average car.
5 Star has much more variation of cars so have a look there if one can't find anything in PC section (which is small'ish).
5 Star has much more variation of cars so have a look there if one can't find anything in PC section (which is small'ish).
Sep 21, 2019, 2:41 am
#195
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
Today (Friday) between 3-5pm literally Kia's, Kia's, Kia's and a GMC terrain in President circle. Yes i waited for 2 hours for something better/ proper to show up and tried bribing the attendants to move something nicer in but nope. At the end took Kia sorento 2020 with 11 miles on it. Very average car.
5 Star has much more variation of cars so have a look there if one can't find anything in PC section (which is small'ish).
5 Star has much more variation of cars so have a look there if one can't find anything in PC section (which is small'ish).