Earning Direct to Airline or Transfer?
Apr 30, 2019, 12:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Cards: JPMR, United Quest, Chase Ink Bus Cash, Chase Freedom U, Citi Costco, AmEx Blue
Posts: 391
Earning Direct to Airline or Transfer?
While I couldn't find it in the search, I believe someone must have posted this (so apologies for any duplication).
I have Hertz Five Star status through United Premier. I see in Five Star that I can transfer the Hertz points to airlines, but I also see I can earn directly to an airline. Given that I have the mid-level tier membership and there's a bonus, is it better to retain the points with Hertz and then convert to miles or just earn miles directly?
Thanks!
I have Hertz Five Star status through United Premier. I see in Five Star that I can transfer the Hertz points to airlines, but I also see I can earn directly to an airline. Given that I have the mid-level tier membership and there's a bonus, is it better to retain the points with Hertz and then convert to miles or just earn miles directly?
Thanks!
Apr 30, 2019, 1:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
You can typically earn a LOT more miles by earning them directly rather than converting Hertz points. You'll earn at least 500 UA miles for a Hertz rental, and notably more if you have United status or one of their credit cards. It sounds like you're Hertz Five Star. If you are, you'll earn 1.25 points per $ spent (not including taxes and fees), and can convert 600 points into 500 miles, effectively earning slightly more than one UA miles per Hertz $ spent. So, even in the most favorable case for "earn Hertz points and exchange," your rental would need to be over $500 (before taxes and fees) to break even.
Generally, converting Hertz points to anything else is a terrible deal.
Generally, converting Hertz points to anything else is a terrible deal.
Apr 30, 2019, 3:30 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Cards: JPMR, United Quest, Chase Ink Bus Cash, Chase Freedom U, Citi Costco, AmEx Blue
Posts: 391
Thanks for the help!
So, to clarify should I uncheck "Yes, I want to earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards"? It says "FT Program Number(s) will only be retained for reservations on Hertz.com," so does that mean each time I rent if my corporate travel portal books it that I'd have to go to the counter and tell them? The way I read it I can imagine if I uncheck the earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards item actually means I don't earn anything at all, so I wanted to check.
So, to clarify should I uncheck "Yes, I want to earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards"? It says "FT Program Number(s) will only be retained for reservations on Hertz.com," so does that mean each time I rent if my corporate travel portal books it that I'd have to go to the counter and tell them? The way I read it I can imagine if I uncheck the earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards item actually means I don't earn anything at all, so I wanted to check.
Apr 30, 2019, 4:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Thanks for the help!
So, to clarify should I uncheck "Yes, I want to earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards"? It says "FT Program Number(s) will only be retained for reservations on Hertz.com," so does that mean each time I rent if my corporate travel portal books it that I'd have to go to the counter and tell them? The way I read it I can imagine if I uncheck the earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards item actually means I don't earn anything at all, so I wanted to check.
So, to clarify should I uncheck "Yes, I want to earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards"? It says "FT Program Number(s) will only be retained for reservations on Hertz.com," so does that mean each time I rent if my corporate travel portal books it that I'd have to go to the counter and tell them? The way I read it I can imagine if I uncheck the earn Hertz Gold Plus Rewards item actually means I don't earn anything at all, so I wanted to check.
Apr 30, 2019, 6:38 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Cards: JPMR, United Quest, Chase Ink Bus Cash, Chase Freedom U, Citi Costco, AmEx Blue
Posts: 391
Good point. I don’t think we got a special rate, but they like us to book there. At any rate, did you uncheck the box I mentioned to earn miles?
Apr 30, 2019, 6:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
If you uncheck that box (assuming your travel portal is Concur or something similar), you won't earn Hertz points or get benefits like Ultimate Choice or upgrades. If you're booking through your company portal, not sure there's any way to earn anything other than Hertz points...