Beware of new Hertz Charges

[ethernet]

Read your receipt when you return the car.

Hertz just had the nerve to SILENTLY charge me $21 extra without telling me when I returned the car 29 minutes late - they said 30 minutes.

Even though I was in the office waiting for someone doing business.
Never mind the fact I left many >5 minutes later after having 5 paint marks noted - always pays to be super careful.

The guy in the office did NOT tell me at time of return (NON VERBAL), and I did not know until I read the paper receipt hours later. Obviously avoiding the confrontation issue.

A call to the customer care/complaints line fixed things and will be reversed and all simple and quick. But you as you don't re-present your credit card, it would be easy to miss this unauthorized charge. I feel its an abusive practice that ACCC should investigate - but car hire companies are already under the spotlight presently.

I think they start the clock when they say hello. So to improve Hertz's 'efficiency' on my next hire I will ask to look at the car BEFORE my hire time starts. Its not in my nature to 'flog' a car, but if they stick to this form of revenue enhancement, some will be tempted to drive harder, and block the driveway if need be.

I declined Hertz's partial insurance with cheesy conditions as I found iCarhireinsurance.com at $6.54 USD per day a better deal. Another UK insurance mob is cheaper, but the minimum is now 3 days not 1.

 

[AdMEL]

Read your receipt when you return the car.

Hertz just had the nerve to SILENTLY charge me $21 extra without telling me when I returned the car 29 minutes late - they said 30 minutes.

Even though I was in the office waiting for someone doing business.
Never mind the fact I left many >5 minutes later after having 5 paint marks noted - always pays to be super careful.

The guy in the office did NOT tell me at time of return (NON VERBAL), and I did not know until I read the paper receipt hours later. Obviously avoiding the confrontation issue.

A call to the customer care/complaints line fixed things and will be reversed and all simple and quick. But you as you don't re-present your credit card, it would be easy to miss this unauthorized charge. I feel its an abusive practice that ACCC should investigate - but car hire companies are already under the spotlight presently.

I think they start the clock when they say hello. So to improve Hertz's 'efficiency' on my next hire I will ask to look at the car BEFORE my hire time starts. Its not in my nature to 'flog' a car, but if they stick to this form of revenue enhancement, some will be tempted to drive harder, and block the driveway if need be.

I declined Hertz's partial insurance with cheesy conditions as I found iCarhireinsurance.com at $6.54 USD per day a better deal. Another UK insurance mob is cheaper, but the minimum is now 3 days not 1.

I almost always ask for a receipt (unless I'm running late, in which case I don't) and have a quick look at it as soon as I as receive it, to ensure it's the amount I expect to pay.

Given the Hertz policy is after 29 minutes late, they charge an extra day, it's surprising you were only charged an extra $21.

In my experience, on the few occasions I've been about 30 min. after the return time, they have always adjusted the times so that it is exactly 29 min., usually without mentioning it, and I therefore don't get charged any extra. Once they mentioned the time and then immediately advised they had adjusted it.

It seems you just encountered someone who was a stickler for the rules of Hertz.

 

[Will]

I almost always ask for a receipt (unless I'm running late, in which case I don't) and have a quick look at it as soon as I as receive it, to ensure it's the amount I expect to pay.

Given the Hertz policy is after 29 minutes late, they charge an extra day, it's surprising you were only charged an extra $21.

In my experience, on the few occasions I've been about 30 min. after the return time, they have always adjusted the times so that it is exactly 29 min., usually without mentioning it, and I therefore don't get charged any extra. Once they mentioned the time and then immediately advised they had adjusted it.

It seems you just encountered someone who was a stickler for the rules of Hertz.

Once in PHX I was delayed returning a car due to an enormous queue and only two people processing the returns. The receipt showed 45 minutes late and an extra $80 in charges. I spoke to the woman at the counter who amended the return time to when I actually arrived - ie on time - and issued a new receipt to show it. All good; so I thought.

When I got home, the credit card charge was for the higher amount!

It took a chargeback and a waste of my time to get that SNAFU sorted out.

 

[ethernet]

Ha - You think those are problems.
With the volcano cloud, all the hire cars were at sky high rates (and all out), and taxis were full tripping pax between MEL and SYD - not a car to be had.
Rental firms just had 'jackpot' days. Will it be back in 16 days time?

This is where some of the O/S website offers with one way and included insurance leave local deals for dead.

 

[Simo]

Hertz is just as bad as them all. I cracked a windscreen in a hire car and they charged me the full excess the girl at the counter charged me just the cost of the windscreen and I got a receipt for the lower amount. I faxed the receipt I got for the lower amount and it was sorted out... I did have to threaten to go to visa as this was not authorized by myself.

 

[ethernet]

One way : Economycarrentals.com / Netflights (UK). Better for one way rentals - but looks like aussie hire car firms are wising up and you get lots of not availables - compared to 6 months ago.
My complaint of the above is a 2-3 day advance online needed.
In Melbourne, ECR told me city office was South Yarra - got there but is was Peel street up near the markets.

My fav at the moment is ANZ card insurance ($2mo) and car hire off virginblue.

Often , there is a glitch in window updating, and vroom vroom is cheaper, in which case use the price match and a free extra day on your next rental. Fleeting, but it is there, usually if your impression is 'thats a bit rich'.

Tip: Photograph one way car hires: The cars are usually older, and the receiving station VERY fussy, as the reports on the computer system are taken to be 'complete' . I now add seat watermarks, and check for cigarette burns inside and on roof.