50% off Prestige, Fun and Green collections

[AdMEL]

This pretty much spells the end of the Prestige collection trail again in Australia :evil::evil:

Over the next few months expect all these vehicles to be gone !

Such a shame they just can't get the prestige collection be be more popular in Australia

But at the same time they can have a $40,000 Falcon/Camry or a $70,000 Merc.. To get $$ back on their investment/rental/lease Hertz need to charge lots more and I can only assume people won't pay it

At least Europcar continue to have a nice fleet of Audi's which continue to be expanded. I see recently they have added the A1

What makes you say that? My hypothesis is that their lack of availability suggests they either don't have many, or that are quite popular. Also, they only make the discount available to #1 Club Gold members and a number of times via Getaway, rather than to the general public.

But I do see that you are possibly correct.

For me, there are a couple of problems with the Hertz prestige models:

1. They are only relatively base models - some higher spec models would be better. E.g. real leather and higher powered engine in the Merc, larger merc (E class?).
2. The insurance and bond conditions are very harsh - most people aren't comfortable with a $1,000 bond, $5,500 excess + $2,200 SVA + airport charge, or more than $50 per day to reduce the excess!

I don't mind the A6, but would much prefer Mercs or BMW for their superior handling. Love the A5 convertible, but too expensive and not often available (I have been told they only have 3 or 4 in Victoria! And the occasional one gets written!)

Where did you get the Virgin CDP?

When I look via Virgin there is no availability for the bookings I'm looking at.

After finding a lower rate on the Virgin website, I rang Hertz # 1 Club Gold reservations and asked them for it!

 

[lovestotravel]

What makes you say that? My hypothesis is that their lack of availability suggests they either don't have many, or that are quite popular. Also, they only make the discount available to #1 Club Gold members and a number of times via Getaway, rather than to the general public.

But I do see that you are possibly correct.

For me, there are a couple of problems with the Hertz prestige models:

1. They are only relatively base models - some higher spec models would be better. E.g. real leather and higher powered engine in the Merc, larger merc (E class?).
2. The insurance and bond conditions are very harsh - most people aren't comfortable with a $1,000 bond, $5,500 excess + $2,200 SVA + airport charge, or more than $50 per day to reduce the excess!

I don't mind the A6, but would much prefer Mercs or BMW for their superior handling. Love the A5 convertible, but too expensive and not often available (I have been told they only have 3 or 4 in Victoria! And the occasional one gets written!)

You don't take 50% off something that is selling well or is popular

Plus just check for availability into next year...

I had a reserved Lexus 4WD out of Canberra a few months ago and received a call from Hertz several months prior to the reservation and they said the Prestige collection was no longer being offered out of Canberra.

Combine that with no availability at any location next year and the fleet is gone!

I don't blame Europcar for only having a small handfull of the A5's as Hertz has found out, again, not many people like the prestige collection

That being said, and as much as I hate to admit it, the latest Commodores/Falcons are actually quite nice to drive and have several of the features found in the lower end Euro models....

 

[markis10]

I note the 50% off is now until the end of the year!

 

[AdMEL]

50% off extended to December 19. Min. 3 days. Additional 10% off using Virgin CDP! Just booked 5 days from BNE for $215! Seems to be some availability at MEL now, but still no availability at Melbourne City.

I note the 50% off is now until the end of the year!

I quoted that more than a week ago!

 

[markis10]

I quoted that more than a week ago!

Yes, but you have not posted what the virgin CDP is :evil: LOL, BTW its not on the promos section, 164065 is the coupon code!

 

[AdMEL]

You don't take 50% off something that is selling well or is popular

Plus just check for availability into next year...

I had a reserved Lexus 4WD out of Canberra a few months ago and received a call from Hertz several months prior to the reservation and they said the Prestige collection was no longer being offered out of Canberra.

Combine that with no availability at any location next year and the fleet is gone!

I don't blame Europcar for only having a small handfull of the A5's as Hertz has found out, again, not many people like the prestige collection

That being said, and as much as I hate to admit it, the latest Commodores/Falcons are actually quite nice to drive and have several of the features found in the lower end Euro models....

Interesting! I hadn't checked next year! When I dropped off a Falcon XR6 at Melbourne Downtown on Wednesday morning, I asked about the Mercs and was told they were all out and they have a few of the recently updated C200's (updated only a couple of months ago). That doesn't sound like they're leaving the fleet soon. I do agree that you don't normally discount something by 50% though. At that rate, they can't be making any money on them. In fact, some of the 50% off deals I've taken advantage of, they would have made a loss on ($75 for two days, with about $30 in tolls!). They woke up to that though and now 50% off only applies to 3 days or more and the rates have been increased. To be honest, I cannot justify the cost of the Mercs at full price - they are not worth it!

Why do you hate to admit that the current Commodores and Falcons (which have been current for several years) are quite nice to drive and have several of the features found in the lower end Euro models? I hope it's not cultural cringe! Or listening to all the people who bag them yet haven't driven one. The reason I cannot justify the cost of the Mercs at full price is because the Commodores and Falcons drive as well, have more space, more power, are more comfortable and have most (not just several) of the features found on the Mercs! the only thing a Calais does not have that a Merc does is sat nav, which they could easily fix if they chose to, given it's a $990 option. Commodores and Falcons are the best value for money cars you can buy!

Yes, but you have not posted what the virgin CDP is :evil: LOL, BTW its not on the promos section, 164065 is the coupon code!

Virgin CDP is not relevant to your comments! If you would like me to post it, just ask!

 

[markis10]

Virgin CDP is not relevant to your comments! If you would like me to post it, just ask!

I think Straitman asked before me , thks

 

[robertz]

Just booked A Lexus RX350 for 4 days from MEL.
Normal price $505.47
Used 50% off PC , down to $268.00

Also used Amex Platinum CDP #211762 for another 15% off (Anybody else find a higher discount CDP??)

Grand total of @$232.73

Signed up for Travel Insurance at 1cover that covers $5000 of excess, for $35.00 for the 4 days.

Thanks Hertz, this was great timing as it is my 40th, and needed a car to go down the coast. Was ready for a manual corolla, but now going in a Lexus SUV. Yippie....

 

[AdMEL]

Just booked A Lexus RX350 for 4 days from MEL.
Normal price $505.47
Used 50% off PC , down to $268.00

Also used Amex Platinum CDP #211762 for another 15% off (Anybody else find a higher discount CDP??)

Grand total of @$232.73

Signed up for Travel Insurance at 1cover that covers $5000 of excess, for $35.00 for the 4 days.

Thanks Hertz, this was great timing as it is my 40th, and needed a car to go down the coast. Was ready for a manual corolla, but now going in a Lexus SUV. Yippie....

I assume the Amex Plat CDP is for Amex Plat Charge card holders, rather than Plat credit card holders (e.g. Plat Edge) - is that correct?

Why aren't you relying on the Loss Damage Waiver cover on the Amex Plat Charge Card?

Just be aware that the excess on a Lexus will be approx. $6,600 ($5,000 + 10% GST + 20% airport surcharge) + $2,640 Single Vehicle Accident Excess ($2,000 + 10% GST + 20% airport surcharge), a total of $9,240 if you have an accident not involving another car!

 

[robertz]

I assume the Amex Plat CDP is for Amex Plat Charge card holders, rather than Plat credit card holders (e.g. Plat Edge) - is that correct?

No idea. Found the CDP, have an Amex Plat, that's good enough for me.

Why aren't you relying on the Loss Damage Waiver cover on the Amex Plat Charge Card?

Good point, forgot about that. Might be worth paying the 1cover as well, to have 2 policies..... (Just to be safe)

Just be aware that the excess on a Lexus will be approx. $6,600 ($5,000 + 10% GST + 20% airport surcharge) + $2,640 Single Vehicle Accident Excess ($2,000 + 10% GST + 20% airport surcharge), a total of $9,240 if you have an accident not involving another car!

It looks like with Hertz, the SVA applies to every car anyway, so no difference renting economy or this car.

Making me nervous AdMEL........

 

[AdMEL]

Just booked A Lexus RX350 for 4 days from MEL.
Normal price $505.47
Used 50% off PC , down to $268.00

Also used Amex Platinum CDP #211762 for another 15% off (Anybody else find a higher discount CDP??)

Grand total of @$232.73

Signed up for Travel Insurance at 1cover that covers $5000 of excess, for $35.00 for the 4 days.

Thanks Hertz, this was great timing as it is my 40th, and needed a car to go down the coast. Was ready for a manual corolla, but now going in a Lexus SUV. Yippie....

I note your profile says you're from the US. Not sure whether you're an Aussie resident, but be aware the 1Cover travel insurance for $35 is only for Australian residents - cover for non-residents costs $80 and only covers rental car excess of $2,500.

Thanks for the heads up about 1cover - it will useful for my friends when we hire cars - saves me having to share the cost of excess reduction when I already have $5,500 cover on my credit card!

No idea. Found the CDP, have an Amex Plat, that's good enough for me.



Good point, forgot about that. Might be worth paying the 1cover as well, to have 2 policies..... (Just to be safe)



It looks like with Hertz, the SVA applies to every car anyway, so no difference renting economy or this car.

Making me nervous AdMEL........

Just making sure you're well informed!

I think Straitman asked before me , thks

Virgin CDP is 1878136. When you load it into your #1 Club Gold profile, it says 'Virgin Blue Guest Rate PH' which seems to infer it is for people flying Virgin (rather than Velocity members), but three things lead me to feel comfortable using it when not flying Virgin:

1. Hertz CSR provided me with the CDP freely, loaded it against my booking and didn't ask whether I was flying Virgin (which I was, but had not loaded flight details into the booking);
2. Virgin website uses the CDP for all quotes and makes no mention of flying being a prerequisite;
3. It is available at all locations, not just ports Virgin flies to.

 

[AdMEL]

Returned a Mercedes C200CGI to BNE yesterday afternoon after a five day hire. All up cost ended up being $200, after 50% off promotion, plus an additional 10% off, via a CDP from my employer. Cheaper than a Falcon!

A couple of observations:

Hertz actually calculate the 10% off before the 50%, so it effectively doubles the discount to 20%! This is not shown in the quote you receive, but the invoice will be lower. My effective discount was 70%! They would have made a loss on that one, especially after you take the included tolls into account.

Virgin CDP actually only gives you 5% discount on prestige cars, which effectively becomes 10%. Apologies for the error - it's only 10% off standard cars.

 

[pshepvic]

Returned a Mercedes C200CGI to BNE yesterday afternoon after a five day hire. All up cost ended up being $200, after 50% off promotion, plus an additional 10% off, via a CDP from my employer. Cheaper than a Falcon!

A couple of observations:

Hertz actually calculate the 10% off before the 50%, so it effectively doubles the discount to 20%! This is not shown in the quote you receive, but the invoice will be lower. My effective discount was 70%! They would have made a loss on that one, especially after you take the included tolls into account.

Virgin CDP actually only gives you 5% discount on prestige cars, which effectively becomes 10%. Apologies for the error - it's only 10% off standard cars.

I think your maths might be a little off there - it doesn't matter which discount is taken off first, the result will be the same. eg. Say the total charge is $100. Take off 10% it becomes $90, then take 50% off that and it becomes $45. The other way around - $100 minus 50% is $50, then take off 10% of that and it is $45.

The only way for it to be any different would be if both discounts are taken of the original base price - eg. $100 with $10 (10%) and $50 (50%) taken off then the total would be $40.


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[AdMEL]

I think your maths might be a little off there - it doesn't matter which discount is taken off first, the result will be the same. eg. Say the total charge is $100. Take off 10% it becomes $90, then take 50% off that and it becomes $45. The other way around - $100 minus 50% is $50, then take off 10% of that and it is $45.

The only way for it to be any different would be if both discounts are taken of the original base price - eg. $100 with $10 (10%) and $50 (50%) taken off then the total would be $40.


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My maths is not off, but my explanation is! Hertz calculate it as per your latter description, rather than your former.

 

[pshepvic]

My maths is not off, but my explanation is! Hertz calculate it as per your latter description, rather than your former.

But that still doesn't give you a 70% discount. If the discounts are 50% and 10%, even if they base both amounts off the base rate, the discount is only 60%. There is no way to calculate this to a discount of 70%.

 

[AdMEL]

But that still doesn't give you a 70% discount. If the discounts are 50% and 10%, even if they base both amounts off the base rate, the discount is only 60%. There is no way to calculate this to a discount of 70%.

Oops! You're correct! My maths is a little off! Total discount is 60% of original price, rather than 50% of gross, plus 10% of 50% = 55% of gross.

 

[pshepvic]

Oops! You're correct! My maths is a little off! Total discount is 60% of original price, rather than 50% of gross, plus 10% of 50% = 55% of gross.

No worries - I tried for ages to get a 70% discount! lol ... I was hoping it could be done somehow!


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[AdMEL]

No worries - I tried for ages to get a 70% discount! lol ... I was hoping it could be done somehow!


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The most I've seen possible is 65% - 50% + a further 15% with Amex Plat CDP, mentioned earlier on this thread by another member. Although I have an Amex Plat Edge, I assume this CDP is for Amex Plat Charge Card holders, which I don't have, so I didn't want to push my luck!

BTW, 5 and 7 days seems to the sweet spots - 5 days is slightly more expensive than 3 days and cheaper than 4 days! 6 days is proportionally more expensive. 7 days is only slightly more than 6 days.

 

[pshepvic]

There is one level of discount higher - Centurion which is a 20% discount. But that CDP is even harder to get hold of!


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