Upgrade by oil change?
May 15, 2018, 6:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 46
Upgrade by oil change?
I'm currently on a longer rental (approx. 60 days) of a 4-Size Car and I'm making a lot of miles so I can change my car when the next oil change is due (I called Hertz and they confirm that(?) maybe somebody can share his experience with it?) and I was wonder if you think that it would be possible to "upgrade" the rental than for a higher price and get a better car? Like from 4-Size to Premium or something like this.
May 15, 2018, 7:06 pm
#2
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
It's going to be hard to upgrade classes in the middle of your rental. You might be able to go back to the original renting location, but I think they will struggle with charging you an upgrade fee for only a portion of the rental.
As far as an oil change goes, often you can get it done on your own at a local garage and Hertz will reimburse you, but you'd need to call first to get authorization for that after letting them know the mileage. Alternatively, you can try to go to the location and swap cars for something equivalent, but again, I'd call them first to clear that.
As far as an oil change goes, often you can get it done on your own at a local garage and Hertz will reimburse you, but you'd need to call first to get authorization for that after letting them know the mileage. Alternatively, you can try to go to the location and swap cars for something equivalent, but again, I'd call them first to clear that.
May 19, 2018, 11:08 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 55
In regards to upgrading post rental, the system does allow it. (It's just a standard exchange, when you assign the vehicle, it then asks for the upsell amount) However, DASH (their rental system) isn't smart enough to calculate it for just some days. So, it'll backdate the upgrade charges for the entire term.
You can go into the contract, and add a credit for the upgrade for the days that it wasn't upgraded. However, for such a long contract (and a large amount), the agent may be unwilling to do it without a manager's approval. I (as a previous agent) would do it, and notate why in the contract, but that's just me and how well I knew management.
You can go into the contract, and add a credit for the upgrade for the days that it wasn't upgraded. However, for such a long contract (and a large amount), the agent may be unwilling to do it without a manager's approval. I (as a previous agent) would do it, and notate why in the contract, but that's just me and how well I knew management.
May 19, 2018, 3:19 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 46
In regards to upgrading post rental, the system does allow it. (It's just a standard exchange, when you assign the vehicle, it then asks for the upsell amount) However, DASH (their rental system) isn't smart enough to calculate it for just some days. So, it'll backdate the upgrade charges for the entire term.
They offered my upgrades between 35-99$/day. I didn't like cars and the amount to pay so I choose to change to a different car in the same category with lower miles. I'm okay with it.
Other question that @Ummmwhat maybe can answer me (or anybody else with experience); for the new car (about 5k miles) there's no indication when the next oil change is due. Should I just wait till the car notify me or when "can" I go back to a hertz. I though 8k or 10k miles?
May 19, 2018, 5:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 103
I admire the fact that firstly you're paying attention to the oil change schedule and secondly that you seem to actively want to assist Hertz with the maintenance of their vehicles! Let me know if you ever have a used car for sale! For me the point of renting is that I *dont* have to worry about this kind of stuff. The importance of on-schedule oil changes it something I care about in my own vehicles because of longer term reliability but for a rental? No way.
For a car with 5,000 miles on it, when the next oil change is due would be the last thing on my mind. Even if you're covering stratospherically high miles each day as you seem to be, I would say it's not something to worry about. If the oil change light comes up, switch the car out.
For a car with 5,000 miles on it, when the next oil change is due would be the last thing on my mind. Even if you're covering stratospherically high miles each day as you seem to be, I would say it's not something to worry about. If the oil change light comes up, switch the car out.
May 19, 2018, 5:36 pm
#6
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
You do realize that you can drive cross country and back and still not hit 6K miles right? Additionally, Hertz can put you on the Do Not Rent (DNR) list if you drive more than 3,500 in a single month. Do you really think you'll hit 8K miles or more?
I'd return the car for an oil change at 7K miles or sooner if the oil change light comes on before you hit that.
I'd return the car for an oil change at 7K miles or sooner if the oil change light comes on before you hit that.
May 19, 2018, 5:43 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 46
I admire the fact that firstly you're paying attention to the oil change schedule and secondly that you seem to actively want to assist Hertz with the maintenance of their vehicles! Let me know if you ever have a used car for sale! For me the point of renting is that I *dont* have to worry about this kind of stuff. The importance of on-schedule oil changes it something I care about in my own vehicles because of longer term reliability but for a rental? No way.
No, honestly; the reason why I pay attention about it is because than I have a good reason to change my car again and I like it to drive different cars. Is that weird?
You do realize that you can drive cross country and back and still not hit 6K miles right? Additionally, Hertz can put you on the Do Not Rent (DNR) list if you drive more than 3,500 in a single month. Do you really think you'll hit 8K miles or more?
PS:And doesn't your blog say that punting miles on the car is NOT a reason to get on the list?
May 19, 2018, 5:45 pm
#8
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
I have a Camry with 235k for 1k$ somewhere in the Midwester to sell :P
It's not like I'm driving miles just to get to a oil change quicker^^ but I'll have the rental car for about 60 days and in this time I'm going to hit all 48 states so it's very likely that I'm going to hit the 8k. I had just about 3k miles in two weeks from LAX to South Florida.
No, honestly; the reason why I pay attention about it is because than I have a good reason to change my car again and I like it to drive different cars. Is that weird?^^
It's not like I'm driving miles just to get to a oil change quicker^^ but I'll have the rental car for about 60 days and in this time I'm going to hit all 48 states so it's very likely that I'm going to hit the 8k. I had just about 3k miles in two weeks from LAX to South Florida.
May 19, 2018, 5:47 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 46
Thanks for the fair warning but it's not like I really have a choice. I like to see all states and that's just the consequence of it. I hope it ends well for me. Otherwise there are still two other company-groups and as soon as I'm over 25 I don't care about hertz anymore.
May 19, 2018, 5:58 pm
#10
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,665
Yes, that is true. You may not have an issue with them, but there are always other options.
As an aside, coincidentally we have a blog post on this exact topic that we plan to publish later this week. Here's a preview of it.
As an aside, coincidentally we have a blog post on this exact topic that we plan to publish later this week. Here's a preview of it.
May 20, 2018, 8:55 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: Air Canada 35K, Hilton HHonors Diamond; Marriot Gold; Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 67
I can can attest to this first hand. Some 10 years ago .. the girlfriend rented a car in her name for a month long summer trip to Anchorage Alaska with a return through Edmonton. It was roughly 8k miles driven in a 3 week period. She was kindly asked never to rent again. I’ve had multi month rentals where I’ve had to go cross country and driven roughly 5,000 miles in a month - but that’s been balanced with months with only 1 to 2k so I’m still averaging under the 3.5k. Also like the poster above I am a stickler for oil changes and will try to change as close to the 5,000 number allows. Sometimes I’ll exchange - other times I’ll find the nearest Jiffy Lube if I really like the car. Again if your a frequent renter (I.e. President Circle) and don’t abuse the system on a monthly basis .. going over once or twice probably won’t end your relationship with them
You do realize that you can drive cross country and back and still not hit 6K miles right? Additionally, Hertz can put you on the Do Not Rent (DNR) list if you drive more than 3,500 in a single month. Do you really think you'll hit 8K miles or more?
I'd return the car for an oil change at 7K miles or sooner if the oil change light comes on before you hit that.
I'd return the car for an oil change at 7K miles or sooner if the oil change light comes on before you hit that.
May 22, 2018, 6:06 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
They don't. Typical recommendation for new cars is every 7,500-10,000 miles. Some people like to get it changed really frequently.