View Poll Results: What is Your Opinion of "Holding" a Car in the Ultimate Choice Section?
I am against it; a renter should never take the keys of a car when browsing the lot.
19
32.76%
It's ok to take the keys of a single car while looking for something better.
38
65.52%
It's ok to take the keys of several cars while looking for something better.
0
0%
I have no opinion on this issue.
1
1.72%
Voters: 58. You may not vote on this poll
"holding" a car while checking the rest of the inventory
Sep 6, 2018, 1:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
All the PC lots I’ve been to have over 20 stalls and I can count on one hand where every spot was filled so someone holding the keys while going to the bathroom is rarely ever goin to keep a porter from bringing another.m car to the lot. And, if this is the case where porters are waiting to put cars on the lot, that means that they have excessive cars, which means you probably have a fantastic selection in the PC lot, so there again shouldn’t be a complaint.
Last edited by 91StealthES; Sep 6, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Sep 6, 2018, 8:23 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,690
I don't see that taking the keys and locking it makes it acceptable. In fact, it makes it worse, as then the car isn't available to others and the lot won't be restocked - yet everyone else will go up to the car to try to get in. IMHO, "reserving" one or more cars when not present at them puts people's own wishes ahead of the convenience of others (to put it politely).
Sep 6, 2018, 9:53 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 231
I'm with you. If you're going to do this, turn it on with remote start and then lock it, or just leave it running. At least that shows people it's not available. But locking it while you go in to the bathroom is excessive, because you could've gone before going to the lot. And there aren't many lots big enough that you need more than a quick glance at the cars to figure out what you want.
Sep 7, 2018, 8:15 am
#20
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 231
Sep 7, 2018, 8:20 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,542
OK, what about this: I fly in, go to the pick-your-own-car type setup, toss luggage into a car, and go back inside the terminal to wait for travel companions on another flight? Uncool? Assume there is no overall shortage of cars and I'm selecting an unremarkable car - a Camry or something. It obviously implies an airport where the cars are walking distance from the terminal.
I've done this a few times simply for convenience and to slightly expedite our eventual departure from the terminal. I can't recall a time when I've done it with an unusual or highly-desirable car.
I've done this a few times simply for convenience and to slightly expedite our eventual departure from the terminal. I can't recall a time when I've done it with an unusual or highly-desirable car.
Sep 7, 2018, 10:53 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I can certainly see objecting to someone locking more than one car. Locking one car, though, leaves everyone else no worse off than if you'd just arrived at the location, selected that car, and driven off in it.
Sep 7, 2018, 5:54 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 103
I'm totally guilty of this. I will have a very quick look, head to the car I like the look of most, toss my bag in the back seat, lock it and go check out what else is there. Selfish? maybe. But to me, the point and indeed value of getting PC and keeping it is to choose some decent and different cars. I know some people prefer the time saver of jumping in and driving off but I'm a car guy, I like to check out whats available and I've spent well over an hour on a lot before. I do 30+ rentals a year.
At large stations (I rent from LAX mostly) there are at least 6 rows in PC, another 4 rows in 5* (where there are often better cars than in PC) fully stocked there could be over 100 cars to choose from. I have often jumped in a 300, I drive towards the exit and I notice something way better hiding at the end of the row. My rentals vary from 1 week to 2 months so I really like to be sure i'm comfortable with the car i've got because I'm often living with it for a longish time and changing is a faff.
What do people think the best practice is? just take whatever the first car in the row is?
At large stations (I rent from LAX mostly) there are at least 6 rows in PC, another 4 rows in 5* (where there are often better cars than in PC) fully stocked there could be over 100 cars to choose from. I have often jumped in a 300, I drive towards the exit and I notice something way better hiding at the end of the row. My rentals vary from 1 week to 2 months so I really like to be sure i'm comfortable with the car i've got because I'm often living with it for a longish time and changing is a faff.
What do people think the best practice is? just take whatever the first car in the row is?
Sep 8, 2018, 2:08 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,332
I'm with you. If you're going to do this, turn it on with remote start and then lock it, or just leave it running. At least that shows people it's not available. But locking it while you go in to the bathroom is excessive, because you could've gone before going to the lot. And there aren't many lots big enough that you need more than a quick glance at the cars to figure out what you want.
Sep 8, 2018, 5:21 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
If you are a Gold member and the renting facility has Ultimate Choice and you booked an appropriate reservation class, then you will pick your car from your Gold Status level. Though if you directly book say an economy class vehicle, or a Luxury SUV, or a Adrenine Collection vehicle; then you will have a vehicle assigned to you and you will go to the appropriate stall number.
Make sense?
Sep 8, 2018, 10:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,690
OK, what about this: I fly in, go to the pick-your-own-car type setup, toss luggage into a car, and go back inside the terminal to wait for travel companions on another flight? Uncool? Assume there is no overall shortage of cars and I'm selecting an unremarkable car - a Camry or something. It obviously implies an airport where the cars are walking distance from the terminal.
I've done this a few times simply for convenience and to slightly expedite our eventual departure from the terminal. I can't recall a time when I've done it with an unusual or highly-desirable car.
I've done this a few times simply for convenience and to slightly expedite our eventual departure from the terminal. I can't recall a time when I've done it with an unusual or highly-desirable car.
I would assume that a car that's locked is unavailable, whether it's running or not.
I can certainly see objecting to someone locking more than one car. Locking one car, though, leaves everyone else no worse off than if you'd just arrived at the location, selected that car, and driven off in it.
I can certainly see objecting to someone locking more than one car. Locking one car, though, leaves everyone else no worse off than if you'd just arrived at the location, selected that car, and driven off in it.
I'm totally guilty of this. I will have a very quick look, head to the car I like the look of most, toss my bag in the back seat, lock it and go check out what else is there. Selfish? maybe. But to me, the point and indeed value of getting PC and keeping it is to choose some decent and different cars. I know some people prefer the time saver of jumping in and driving off but I'm a car guy, I like to check out whats available and I've spent well over an hour on a lot before. I do 30+ rentals a year.
At large stations (I rent from LAX mostly) there are at least 6 rows in PC, another 4 rows in 5* (where there are often better cars than in PC) fully stocked there could be over 100 cars to choose from. I have often jumped in a 300, I drive towards the exit and I notice something way better hiding at the end of the row. My rentals vary from 1 week to 2 months so I really like to be sure i'm comfortable with the car i've got because I'm often living with it for a longish time and changing is a faff.
What do people think the best practice is? just take whatever the first car in the row is?
At large stations (I rent from LAX mostly) there are at least 6 rows in PC, another 4 rows in 5* (where there are often better cars than in PC) fully stocked there could be over 100 cars to choose from. I have often jumped in a 300, I drive towards the exit and I notice something way better hiding at the end of the row. My rentals vary from 1 week to 2 months so I really like to be sure i'm comfortable with the car i've got because I'm often living with it for a longish time and changing is a faff.
What do people think the best practice is? just take whatever the first car in the row is?
Travelling solo with several large bags...sure.... The CAR is the only convenient, secure stowage available. I'll certainly lock my bags in it to use the bathroom before heading off on what is, usually, a significant drive. Of course I have never then changed cars...but you seem to think its just as bad.....
Sep 9, 2018, 12:13 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
I don't see that taking the keys and locking it makes it acceptable. In fact, it makes it worse, as then the car isn't available to others and the lot won't be restocked - yet everyone else will go up to the car to try to get in. IMHO, "reserving" one or more cars when not present at them puts people's own wishes ahead of the convenience of others (to put it politely).
Sep 9, 2018, 7:50 am
#30
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,657
Additionally, if you don't have a reservation, you end up paying the "walk-up rate" which basically means you're going to get price-gouged. Generally, the earlier you book, the more likely you are to save if you're diligent about checking rates and re-booking when prices drop (or use a service like AutoSlash). Be sure to also avail yourself of coupons and discount codes to lower your rate.
