Downgraded in Ottawa - again
 

Looks like licensee locations are far more stringent than corporate locations. I'm Gold, I booked F, showed up, and was promised a premium car (Buick Lucerine). The clerk/agent was talking about how I would be driving in style, etc, etc. She tries to complete the car assignment and the computer won't let her because I'm under 25. She said she needed a managerial override. She called the manager and he refused. I've made 7 rentals so far this year and I have my full licence (she asked if it was full while on the phone). So, since they didn't have an F on the lot, I was downgraded to C, forced to pay the same rate, and she gave the managers card to b*tch after I asked why I was downgraded. Needless to say, the car is cramped, visibility really bad, and the seat is uncomfortable. It's a Pontiac G6. And to add insult to injury, they actually charged me the underage fee which no other location in the US or Canada has done before - only in Ottawa.

Anyways, what kind of compensation should I be seeking, and from who?

Unfortunately it is hard to get help when the location is a licensee. While there are exceptions, I always felt that the majority of them were imbeciles and that Hertz would be better off not serving the rural locations than having the licensees drag their name through the mud.

The funny thing is Ottawa is the capital of Canada, not rural. :p And it was the airport location first time, downtown location this time.

Honestly, unless you have a CDP that has the underage waiver and all vehicle classes included by default, you can shout all you want.

AFAIK, they only see the expiry date of your license on their screens and not your age by default. It only becomes an issue when they try to assign a vehicle that (based on your CDP) is considered restricted. Underagers can be assigned small SUV's without any problem (Ford Escape etc.) but thats about the best to expect.

Progress...

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Customer Relations Administrator
OKC Customer Relations
The Hertz Corporation
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I was under the assumption that only Prestige and Fun collection cars were excluded. I am under 25 and rented a minivan before, and on my last trip I was offered an Explorer, Expedition, Sienna, Solara convertible, and a Town Car - as you can see, that's a big spread and more than enough to choose from. I took the Explorer but I could have taken the Premium car if I wanted.

As far as the under age fee, I don't think there's a valid argument for that. It's clearly spelled out and perhaps you were lucky before.. I joined with the Hertz Gold Family CDP so the underage fee is waived for me.

You should be okay with fun collection. The only thing that under 25 are not supposed to have are prestige with the exception being if you are under 21. If you're under 21 then the maximum car class is F and that is supposed to be strictly enforced. Under 21 is allowed in NY, Illinois (I think) and then for select insurance companies on replacement rentals.

I have the same, but apparently it's supposed to only waive the fee in the US. But no corporate location in Canada ever charged me for it either, only the licencee locations!