SiriusXM now a daily fee for all?
Aug 19, 2019, 5:02 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Plat, Priority Club Plat, HHonors Diamond, Avis CC
Posts: 673
Avis does. Started a few years ago. Even as a Chairman preferred in a Cadillac XTS with no miles on it, I'd have to use the Avis app to turn on the XM radio. Sometimes you get lucky with a car that has it on, but they definitely have the technology to control it. I wouldn't be surprised if Hertz does as well, or soon.
Aug 20, 2019, 7:55 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
From a technical perspective, the capability is certainly there. If the vehicle has a cellular modem built in (a large % of new cars do), the activate/deactivate instruction can be sent that way. If it doesn't, the SiriusXM satellite system has a control channel to which all the radios are "listening," which is sending activate/deactivate codes on an ongoing basis, so it wouldn't be technically that hard for a large customer like Hertz to be able to send radio IDs to be included in that feed for activation or deactivation.
My hunch, though, is that there's only action one way. If you say you want satellite radio, and the radio isn't active, the activation signal is sent, but if you say no, they aren't shutting down active radios. Not worth the effort.
My hunch, though, is that there's only action one way. If you say you want satellite radio, and the radio isn't active, the activation signal is sent, but if you say no, they aren't shutting down active radios. Not worth the effort.
Aug 20, 2019, 11:12 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
I'm not sure it would be all that difficult, but I just don't think Hertz ever bothered before. Avis, Enterprise, National turn them all off by default, even on brand new vehicles that should have a trial going. They turn them on when a customer pays, and then turn it off again when the car is returned. I presume Sirius/XM has some sort of a back-end quick activate/deactivate system that they're able to integrate into the rental car company's software.
Aug 20, 2019, 12:47 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
I've been asked a few times. I always say no. I've only once had it actually shut off (about 1 minute after driving out of the lot). Hertz is basically just following the competition here...
Aug 20, 2019, 2:50 pm
#21
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
If you have a subscription to SXM that includes their app (many do now), simply just listen through the app on your phone. I had a vehicle over the weekend and didn't even realize it had its own SXM, as I was using it from my phone. Then I used it from the vehicle.
Aug 20, 2019, 8:51 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Platinum, WN A-List Preferred, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 296
Little bit of a technical idiot here, but as a Sirius subscriber with the app, how would I listen in the car? Via bluetooth? Does it have to go through Android Auto (I have an Android)? The last time I tried that, I could get the channels, but it wasn't a live feed and it was extremely cumbersome to change the channels. Is there a better way? Thanks!
Aug 21, 2019, 3:43 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
I'm not sure it would be all that difficult, but I just don't think Hertz ever bothered before. Avis, Enterprise, National turn them all off by default, even on brand new vehicles that should have a trial going. They turn them on when a customer pays, and then turn it off again when the car is returned. I presume Sirius/XM has some sort of a back-end quick activate/deactivate system that they're able to integrate into the rental car company's software.
Aug 21, 2019, 9:50 am
#24
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Little bit of a technical idiot here, but as a Sirius subscriber with the app, how would I listen in the car? Via bluetooth? Does it have to go through Android Auto (I have an Android)? The last time I tried that, I could get the channels, but it wasn't a live feed and it was extremely cumbersome to change the channels. Is there a better way? Thanks!
Maybe post over in the Travel Technology forum, for a broader audience? I think you'll find some die-hard Android users over there too, surely someone who could help.
Aug 21, 2019, 1:56 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: South Texas
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, Marriott Tit
Posts: 277
Following up...I complained on the post rental survey and just had a call from Hertz saying the XM fees have been refunded. The reason given is I don’t opt in to XM on my profile. My current rental has XM and I was not asked if I wanted to pay. If STL has this new on/off button at checkout then I’ll assume it will roll out to other locations. I didn’t realize the competition charges for XM because I’ve only used Hertz in the last few years. Once again a group of travel companies aligning their practices so there’s no reason to stay loyal to just one.
Aug 21, 2019, 4:29 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
Following up...I complained on the post rental survey and just had a call from Hertz saying the XM fees have been refunded. The reason given is I don’t opt in to XM on my profile. My current rental has XM and I was not asked if I wanted to pay. If STL has this new on/off button at checkout then I’ll assume it will roll out to other locations. I didn’t realize the competition charges for XM because I’ve only used Hertz in the last few years. Once again a group of travel companies aligning their practices so there’s no reason to stay loyal to just one.
Aug 21, 2019, 4:52 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
Huh, I must have just gotten unlucky. I rarely rent from National/Enterprise but the past few have all been turned off, even though they were brand new vehicles still within the trial period.
Aug 24, 2019, 12:57 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703