Using points doesn't give free day options, just paltry $-off options
Oct 18, 2018, 10:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: dca
Programs: Delta Plat, United Silver, Marriott LT Titanium, HHonors Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 337
Using points doesn't give free day options, just paltry $-off options
Anyone else noticing new points redemption options? Instead of the usual fixed points per day rental, Im seeing a variety of points for dollar amount off discount options such as these;
200 points = $5 off
300 points = $7.50 off
400 points = $12 off
500 points = $20 off
600 points = $30 off
Obviously a poor value when you can get a free day for 650 points.
200 points = $5 off
300 points = $7.50 off
400 points = $12 off
500 points = $20 off
600 points = $30 off
Obviously a poor value when you can get a free day for 650 points.
Oct 18, 2018, 10:50 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I'm seeing those options as well. They're in addition to the XXX points/day options, but I also see the $/point (and just the $/point) options for rental requests that don't qualify for the points/$ options (such as large SUVs).
Oct 18, 2018, 11:44 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Agreed. I never get less than 10c/point, and often close to 20c/point in value, so these would be a 50-90% devaluation, plus you can only use a small amount of points on each rental.
Oct 18, 2018, 12:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 610
I don't think that's the plan though - the description for the $ value awards states " Don’t have enough points for a free rental? Now use what points you have and pay the difference. " I think it's a genuine attempt to give more options, so that they can say "use as little as 200 points to get a discount on your rental, or just 550 for a free weekend day'.
Oct 18, 2018, 12:04 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
Agreed. Hopefully this is intended for the occasional (like 1x per year) type of renter who only has a few points and would rather use them to offset the rental a bit instead of waiting several years for points to accumulate to a free day. I would be really upset if they changed the current model for their heavy renters.
Oct 18, 2018, 12:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 610
Knowing the value points carry on weekends in NYC, it would be a killer blow if they removed the daily awards completely.
Edit and follow up to my own comment:
I tried pricing out a 3-day rental in San Diego over Thanksgiving, and the website only showed the dollar amount discount. Upon calling, I was quoted 4050 points, which is indeed the required rate for 3 weekday anyday reward.
So that's somewhat reassuring - seems like free day awards should be bookable over the phone. As long as there is a way to get the free day award at all locations, I am a happy camper.
Last edited by klanfa; Oct 18, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Oct 18, 2018, 1:51 pm
#10
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,032
I just did a dummy booking using the mobile app for a one-way points rental from LGA and I see both the old and new points redemption methods.
I also did a dummy booking for Manhattan and only the $ off options are shown so that is a major bummer.
I also did a dummy booking for Manhattan and only the $ off options are shown so that is a major bummer.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Oct 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Oct 18, 2018, 3:31 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Tried a dummy booking for a Manhattan HLE next weekend, and only saw the $ off options. Called in, and they booked it with points (1100/day, as usual), no problem at all. So, looks like another Hertz website problem.
Oct 19, 2018, 10:20 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,207
People don't rent cars in Manhattan for local trips. They use the car to visit friends, family, shopping malls, and tourist sites, in suburban and rural areas, in transit deserts, where Uber would be too far and too expensive.
Oct 19, 2018, 11:27 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Yup. Only market in the country where weekend rentals are notably more expensive than during the week.
Oct 19, 2018, 2:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: JFK LGA PBI BOI
Posts: 910
So true as a New Yorker needed a weekend rental, it was cheaper to get the car for the week. I usually use Zipcar but even their weekend rates are sky high only their M-Thur overnight rates make any sense these days.