"Best fleet ever"
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
"Best fleet ever"
Hertz has been touting in emails lately that they have their "Best fleet ever". I'm wondering if people here think they actually do.
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Longmont, CO
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2
Reserved a Prestige collection at MDW--got a great deal for a week. My name was not on the board (again). After an inquiry, they brought me an Infiniti Q50, still wet from the car wash. Looked pretty, but was the base, base, base model. I think some 'standard' equipment had actually been deleted. And didn't even have EZPass, particularly helpful in Chicago!
I haven't gotten a 'well equipped' vehicle in several years. Pretty on the outside but generally high mileage and plenty of dings and dents. I don't agree with 'best fleet ever.'
I haven't gotten a 'well equipped' vehicle in several years. Pretty on the outside but generally high mileage and plenty of dings and dents. I don't agree with 'best fleet ever.'
#3
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: National, Hertz
Posts: 115
Hertz has been touting in emails lately that they have their "Best fleet ever". I'm wondering if people here think they actually do.
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
I think the "best fleet ever" is just a marketing pitch. Just how Apple always releases the "best" iPhone every year because technically it's improved internals. Hertz can justify it the same because they have to buy new cars, and new cars will always have incremental equipment additions. Whether that's really "best" is up to you
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
I think the "best fleet ever" is just a marketing pitch. Just how Apple always releases the "best" iPhone every year because technically it's improved internals. Hertz can justify it the same because they have to buy new cars, and new cars will always have incremental equipment additions. Whether that's really "best" is up to you
#5
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
Ordinarily I'd say no, but last week I rented from Enterprise at LAX and I swear I'll never cheat on Hertz and their 300s in all the colors of the rainbow again.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,492
Hertz has been touting in emails lately that they have their "Best fleet ever". I'm wondering if people here think they actually do.
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
In my experience their UC locations are still very YMMV. Some of them have great selections and are well-run, some of them have bad selections and disengaged employees. As for the fleet itself, they do seem to be making better cars available at on the aisle at UC locations but they still buy too many low trim cars. For example, National seems to only carry the Ford Explorer in Limited trim but it's almost always XLT trim with Hertz in my experience.
What are your anecdotal opinions of the "best fleet ever" claim?
At too many other stations, when cars (as opposed to SUVs. If I want an SUV, I will reserve one. Do not force me to take a f-ing SUV when I reserved a car) are actually available in 5*/PC, it's the same tired assortment of Impalas, Malibus, Chrysler 300s.
Oh and what is with the proliferation of Chrysler 300s? Only Hertz can find something premium about an Impala or luxurious about a Chrysler 300.
And to add insult to injury, Hertz discontinued fixed upgrade pricing to interesting cars. When I spotted an Infiniti Q60 on the lot at DAL, I would have paid the reasonable former $25/day fixed upgrade fee but now upgrade pricing varies and the counter agent was willing to negotiate with me to give me a great deal: $40/day
Needless to say the counter agent didn't make that sale.
#7
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 183
My last 15 rentals from Hertz are listed below along with the starting mileage. Make what you will of the info. Overall I have been pretty happy but i don't have much as a basis for comparison. Unless otherwise noted all were pulled off the PC aisle at STL.
1) BMW 530i - 8
2) Toyota Prius – 2,134 [One way from ORD so I had to take from the Intermediate area]
3) Dodge Charger R/T – 4,765
4) Dodge Challenger R/T - 24,182
5) Lincoln MKC - 51
6) Chevy Cruze - 35,929 [Intermediate reservation at RST which is not UC]
7) Buick Enclave AWD – 10,819
8) Toyota 4Runner -371
9) Chrysler 300 AWD – 15,923
10) Toyota Camry – 12,204
11) Cadillac XTS – 289
12) Infinity Q70 – 18,151
13) Dodge Challenger R/T – 4,124
14) Infiniti Q50 – 42,596 [Compact reservation at a HLE in MO]
15) Toyota Avalon - 7,300
1) BMW 530i - 8
2) Toyota Prius – 2,134 [One way from ORD so I had to take from the Intermediate area]
3) Dodge Charger R/T – 4,765
4) Dodge Challenger R/T - 24,182
5) Lincoln MKC - 51
6) Chevy Cruze - 35,929 [Intermediate reservation at RST which is not UC]
7) Buick Enclave AWD – 10,819
8) Toyota 4Runner -371
9) Chrysler 300 AWD – 15,923
10) Toyota Camry – 12,204
11) Cadillac XTS – 289
12) Infinity Q70 – 18,151
13) Dodge Challenger R/T – 4,124
14) Infiniti Q50 – 42,596 [Compact reservation at a HLE in MO]
15) Toyota Avalon - 7,300
#8
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 103
We're grading on a curve here really. Do I wish Hertz would get rid of the 300's the Malibu's and last of the last Ford Taurus' yes. Absolutely. I hate them.
But at what cost? The way that Hertz grade their vehicles you just know that a Nissan Kicks or Ford EcoSport (classified as a midsize SUV or something else insane) - are just waiting in the wings to take their place and be much, much worse.
I've still never understood why they don't just move the premium upgrade vehicles with higher mileage to PC for the last few thousand miles whilst they're on fleet. At least then you're giving PC customers some decent rentals. I'd take/risk a RR Sport on 34,000 miles over a brand spanking new 300
But at what cost? The way that Hertz grade their vehicles you just know that a Nissan Kicks or Ford EcoSport (classified as a midsize SUV or something else insane) - are just waiting in the wings to take their place and be much, much worse.
I've still never understood why they don't just move the premium upgrade vehicles with higher mileage to PC for the last few thousand miles whilst they're on fleet. At least then you're giving PC customers some decent rentals. I'd take/risk a RR Sport on 34,000 miles over a brand spanking new 300
Last edited by Bjam99; Aug 13, 2019 at 12:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM 2 Mil Miler, HZ PC, Marriott LT TI, AMB, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 556
We're grading on a curve here really. Do I wish Hertz would get rid of the 300's the Malibu's and last of the last Ford Taurus' yes. Absolutely. I hate them.
But at what cost? The way that Hertz grade their vehicles you just know that a Nissan Kicks or Ford EcoSport (classified as a midsize SUV or something else insane) - are just waiting in the wings to take their place and be much, much worse.
I've still never understood why they don't just move the premium upgrade vehicles with higher mileage to PC for the last few thousand miles whilst they're on fleet. At least then you're giving PC customers some decent rentals. I'd take/risk a RR Sport on 34,000 miles over a brand spanking new
But at what cost? The way that Hertz grade their vehicles you just know that a Nissan Kicks or Ford EcoSport (classified as a midsize SUV or something else insane) - are just waiting in the wings to take their place and be much, much worse.
I've still never understood why they don't just move the premium upgrade vehicles with higher mileage to PC for the last few thousand miles whilst they're on fleet. At least then you're giving PC customers some decent rentals. I'd take/risk a RR Sport on 34,000 miles over a brand spanking new
#11
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
#13
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 35
Objectively it's an excellent car to receive off a midsize reservation. But we've grown tired of them as it is by far the most common car I've seen in PC lots across the country. That or the Impala. One thing I used to appreciate about Avis was the variety of models and variety of trims. Two things Hertz lacks.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 103
I agree. Objectively, is the Chrysler 300 a bad car? well.. yes. But if I can rent one for the same price as a Corolla should I really be complaining? Again yes.. (have you seen the spec of even the base Corolla these days!?)
But I recognize it's because I'm a fussy b!tch. I'm just fatigued by them. Hertz used to get decent spec models with adaptive cruise and hemi engines. You can occasionally find still find them. It's a proper old school American full size and as a European I imagine would add to the excitement of renting whilst on vacation. To me, whilst It can be comfy in the right trim, it feels incredibly claustrophobic. It drives like a mid-size cruise ship and whilst I generally like the UConnect system, it just feels so utterly 2002. I'm over it. I would honestly prefer to take an Equinox over it. Honest to god! An Equinox! quelle horreur!
But I recognize it's because I'm a fussy b!tch. I'm just fatigued by them. Hertz used to get decent spec models with adaptive cruise and hemi engines. You can occasionally find still find them. It's a proper old school American full size and as a European I imagine would add to the excitement of renting whilst on vacation. To me, whilst It can be comfy in the right trim, it feels incredibly claustrophobic. It drives like a mid-size cruise ship and whilst I generally like the UConnect system, it just feels so utterly 2002. I'm over it. I would honestly prefer to take an Equinox over it. Honest to god! An Equinox! quelle horreur!
#15
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
I've still never understood why they don't just move the premium upgrade vehicles with higher mileage to PC for the last few thousand miles whilst they're on fleet. At least then you're giving PC customers some decent rentals. I'd take/risk a RR Sport on 34,000 miles over a brand spanking new 300