Hertz President's Circle Member Experiences (2017-Onward)
Jun 8, 2018, 9:56 pm
#376
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
I've been renting from Hertz instead of owning for over a year now. With depreciation and everything else thrown in, as long as originally you were going for a 30-40k car you'll be ahead. Plus the United miles.
Jun 8, 2018, 11:44 pm
#377
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,774
When I look at some of the sites that (KBB, Edmunds) that show the cost of owning over 5 years, it's not that far off from renting in the higher categories. Although if one would keep a car for much longer than 5 years, owning is cheaper.
Jun 9, 2018, 12:40 am
#378
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
It depends on your personal preference. I personally would’ve never owned a car beyond the warranty and the max i’ve kept a car is 2.5y 40k miles so it works out great for me. Plus the piece of mind is priceless. Scratched? Hit? Broken? Cool, its not my car, its not my problem. I usully do 2 weeks because i enjoy trying all different cars and keep a list.
Jun 9, 2018, 12:49 am
#379
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,774
Thanks. We have thought similarly to you that it would be so easy to continue renting. Also when we travel, just turn it in at the airport and get a new one when we get back. We don't have a garage or dedicated parking so it would alleviate the problem of a car we own sitting out all the time. We already have a non-owner insurance policy to cover long-term rentals as well.
Jun 9, 2018, 11:17 pm
#380
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
Thanks. We have thought similarly to you that it would be so easy to continue renting. Also when we travel, just turn it in at the airport and get a new one when we get back. We don't have a garage or dedicated parking so it would alleviate the problem of a car we own sitting out all the time. We already have a non-owner insurance policy to cover long-term rentals as well.
Jun 10, 2018, 2:26 am
#381
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
How do you account for the fact that a car you buy is still worth thousands of dollars even after 5 years?
Jun 10, 2018, 2:56 pm
#382
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/total-cost-of-ownership/
Jun 10, 2018, 4:25 pm
#383
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Used my PC benefit which I got via Chase United Club Card during my last trip. The car we picked out, turned out to be brand spanking new and we were the first renters. Only had 6 miles on the odometer when we took it out and returned it with a little over 3000 miles.
Jun 10, 2018, 11:55 pm
#384
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
last car I owned, i lost 30k in 2 years due to depreciation plus 10k in insurance over 2 years and however much gas was.
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/total-cost-of-ownership/
Jun 11, 2018, 7:09 am
#385
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,312
I have always wanted to do this ... rent cars instead of own.
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Jun 11, 2018, 7:56 am
#386
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I'm beginning to think I should be crediting my Hertz bookings to United.
Jun 11, 2018, 12:35 pm
#387
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
I have always wanted to do this ... rent cars instead of own.
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Jun 14, 2018, 1:43 am
#389
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
I have always wanted to do this ... rent cars instead of own.
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Generally, I lose average of $6000-$7500 a year in depreciation value from my cars. However, the cost to rent would be much much higher than that for the year. Even if I only do weekdays rental, I still come out ahead by owning.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong places?
Great to be able to switch types when you need to (truck for work/hauling, minivan for 6 to disney, expedition to outrun a hurricane with family, luxury etc), no insurance cost (spouse car full coverage), and abandon payments whenever you leave town or not want a car, etc. In Miami I average $400/mo in rentals. Thats like a $300 cheap used car payment plus $100 insurance. But Ive been driving an XTS for a 5 wks now, had a new Tahoe for $326/mo before that, $50-$60k trucks for months, etc.
I hate swapping so I try to get great monthly rates, but sometimes im stuck swapping at a hertz HLE weekly.
The disounts are worth more than the points so I do that usually. I also switch companies as necessary but Hertz has been killing it recently.
I think it depends on location - Miami and Vegas have a plethora of tourists and rental cars.
Jul 5, 2018, 2:40 pm
#390
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Picked up at ROC on July 4th for a one-way to SYR. Golds have to check in at the counter in the baggage claim area but there is a priority line. They had my contract and keys ready to go, a quick flash of my driver license and I was on my way to the garage which is just across from the terminal. I was given a Toyota Camry with 3,000 miles on my FCAR reservation. Not too bad for a one-way.