The Case of the Irremovable ILS
Jul 31, 2007 | 1:57 am
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 69,201
The Case of the Irremovable ILS
As I mentioned in another thread, my Gold profile specifically says that I do not want Insurance Liability Supplement.
No way. Uh, uh. Forget It City. My German MasterCard gives it to me for free, so why should I fork out for it?
Unfortunately, when I booked on line, Hertz gave it me. For 9 days in PBI, I will be paying $372.10 -- with everything (LDW, tax, airport concession fees, vehicle licensing cost recovery, and "rental surcharge" thrown in).
I can't even figure out what that last one means. I have to pay a surcharge for renting from Hertz? How else will they give me the car? I am certain they frown upon my not renting it and just driving it away.
Okay, of that, the LIS is roughly $90 so I decided to get rid of it. I sent them an e-mail but got no answer. Then I called Hertz in Tel Aviv. They suggested that I contact PBI directly and ask them to either take out the LIS or give me a different rate.
I spoke with a very nice gentleman there by the name of Charles. He really did his best to try to help me but the computer would not let him remove the LIS. Finally, he found a way of doing it -- by listing me as an American, not as an Israeli. The only problem there was that the best American rate (with all the other things included) came to $200 more without the LIS than I am currently paying with it.
No way. Uh, uh. Forget It City. My German MasterCard gives it to me for free, so why should I fork out for it?
Unfortunately, when I booked on line, Hertz gave it me. For 9 days in PBI, I will be paying $372.10 -- with everything (LDW, tax, airport concession fees, vehicle licensing cost recovery, and "rental surcharge" thrown in).
I can't even figure out what that last one means. I have to pay a surcharge for renting from Hertz? How else will they give me the car? I am certain they frown upon my not renting it and just driving it away.
Okay, of that, the LIS is roughly $90 so I decided to get rid of it. I sent them an e-mail but got no answer. Then I called Hertz in Tel Aviv. They suggested that I contact PBI directly and ask them to either take out the LIS or give me a different rate.
I spoke with a very nice gentleman there by the name of Charles. He really did his best to try to help me but the computer would not let him remove the LIS. Finally, he found a way of doing it -- by listing me as an American, not as an Israeli. The only problem there was that the best American rate (with all the other things included) came to $200 more without the LIS than I am currently paying with it.
Aug 1, 2007 | 2:23 am
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
Why don't you rent directly from Israel with a prepaid voucher?
I use www.alamo.co.il for all my US rentals and usually the fares I get including all coverages and taxes are lower than the best fares on alamo.com (not to mention Avis, Hertz etc). For ane extra 2 USD per day or 10 per week I also get a free tank of gas - some 30 USD value.
I use www.alamo.co.il for all my US rentals and usually the fares I get including all coverages and taxes are lower than the best fares on alamo.com (not to mention Avis, Hertz etc). For ane extra 2 USD per day or 10 per week I also get a free tank of gas - some 30 USD value.
Aug 1, 2007 | 2:56 am
#3
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 69,201
Why don't you rent directly from Israel with a prepaid voucher?
I use www.alamo.co.il for all my US rentals and usually the fares I get including all coverages and taxes are lower than the best fares on alamo.com (not to mention Avis, Hertz etc).
I use www.alamo.co.il for all my US rentals and usually the fares I get including all coverages and taxes are lower than the best fares on alamo.com (not to mention Avis, Hertz etc).
Hertz wanted $372 for an Economy car. A mid-size, which I would prefer, was priced sky-high.
Alamo gave me a 4 door midsize (Pontiac G6) for $340.
After reading your post, I went to Alamo, Israel, and saw that it wants $358 for a 4 door midsize (Chevrolet Epica). More than that, going through the US site gives me the following advantages:
1. I don't have to pre-pay. (If I do decide to pre-pay, I can do it 24 hours in advance and get a 10% reduction.)
2. I can use my American-issued Amex, not only getting me points on it but also avoiding conversion charges.
3. I was able to make the reservation through their "ReservePlus" system, which should save me time at pick up. I don't even have to go to the counter -- just run my credit card through the kiosk.