Hertz Australia to reduce return grace period to 29 min

[odysseus]

Just returned a car to Hertz the other day and saw a sign on the counter advising that from 1 August, the return grace period will only be 29 minutes.

Pretty sad about that, but the agent said they were matching with operations overseas, and when I checked around it does seem to already be the case elsewhere.

Just like rising credit card fees, less generous conditions is the order of the day...

 

[Mal]

Yeah, not surprising really. Their overseas operations already employ such limitations.

And don't forget "early fees" for return of vehicles too early!

 

[brett-au]

What the! I'm a heavy user of the 59 minute grace period.

Coupled with the credit card fees, the lack of upgrades and the high mileage cars, Hertz is rapidly falling from favour.

If it wasn't for the new fun collection I would be with Avis for all my rentals.

ps I'm 5*

 

[Dave Noble]

Yeah, not surprising really. Their overseas operations already employ such limitations.

And don't forget "early fees" for return of vehicles too early!

Indeed. It has been 29 minutes in the UK for a few years already.

As far as 'early fees' they only occur if you have booked a rate which has minimum rental periods and you return early and so get re-assessed a rate for the actual period rented. Hardly a fee imo

For me, this will have no impact on my renting from hertz; the service which I receive from my local Hertz office is astoundingly good

 

[serfty]

Well this is all the more reason to ensure the appropriate take out time is noted on your documentation.

 

[Dave Noble]

Well this is all the more reason to ensure the appropriate take out time is noted on your documentation.

The documentation will show the time the documentation was produced or the booked time. When the car is actually collected then the system will be updated with the actual time of rental pick up. Just need to remember what time the car was picked up ( or have Platinum status of course and get the 4 hour grace )

 

[kamchatsky]

The documentation will show the time the documentation was produced or the booked time. When the car is actually collected then the system will be updated with the actual time of rental pick up. Just need to remember what time the car was picked up ( or have Platinum status of course and get the 4 hour grace )

For the last few hires I have found Hertz staff more deceitful. They initially refused to redo the documentation when I picked up the car and found out they set start time a few hours earlier so that I ended up rent for 3 days rather than 2 days so they can charge more money. I had to push them to change the paperwork, and their excuses are "I cannot do it here", or "it will be changed later" etc etc etc

 

[serfty]

The documentation will show the time the documentation was produced or the booked time. When the car is actually collected then the system will be updated with the actual time of rental pick up. ...

With Hertz #1 type bookings you simply front up to the desk, show your D/L and #1 card and they hand you the pre-done paperwork and the keys - maybe even tell you how to locate the car. But that's it.

They do the paperwork early. I have often seen something like 9:30am "Out" time for a 1:15pm booking.

It's part of my car rental mantra: check car for any damage, verify paperwork, check fuel etc..

 

[Dave Noble]

With Hertz #1 type bookings you simply front up to the desk, show your D/L and #1 card and they hand you the pre-done paperwork and the keys - maybe even tell you how to locate the car. But that's it.

They do the paperwork early. I have often seen something like 9:30am "Out" time for a 1:15pm booking.

It's part of my car rental mantra: check car for any damage, verify paperwork, check fuel etc..

They do indeed prepare the paperwork, however when the rental actually commences then that is the time that will get logged into the system and the one that the system will use for determining the correct charges for the rental

 

[Sprucegoose]

If you promise to return at say 10am and it is under the 24 hr period and you return at 12pm and that is still under the 24hr period, does that breach the grace period?

Regards

SPRUCE

 

[Dave Noble]

If you promise to return at say 10am and it is under the 24 hr period and you return at 12pm and that is still under the 24hr period, does that breach the grace period?

Regards

SPRUCE

If you are within the 24 hours, there is no issue

 

[serfty]

They do indeed prepare the paperwork, however when the rental actually commences then that is the time that will get logged into the system and the one that the system will use for determining the correct charges for the rental

Of course .... that is what is supposed to occur.

The example I quoted above has happened to me with Hertz - when it did not happen.

Such failures in process are why I endeavor to always check final documentation before departing the rental office as well.

 

[straitman]

Of course .... that is what is supposed to occur.

The example I quoted above has happened to me with Hertz - when it did not happen.

Such failures in process are why I endeavor to always check final documentation before departing the rental office as well.

This failure of process is not just a problem with Hertz. I have seen it with several companies.

 

[kamchatsky]

Of course .... that is what is supposed to occur.

The example I quoted above has happened to me with Hertz - when it did not happen.

Such failures in process are why I endeavor to always check final documentation before departing the rental office as well.

Sometimes I think that is the way they charge customer more .... and a lot of time when the car is paid for by the company they don't care, so Hertz gets more money out of it.

 

[docjames]

I'[m not so worried - I guess if you know the rules, you can follow them easily enough.

I was not happy when i dropped the car off at Hertz London "Kings Cross" (really Southampton Row) and was sent the invoice and CC charged when i got home for drop off two days (!) after it occurred.

At least their email help desk actually fixed it (easy enough to deal with, but still, shouldnt have to do it).

(#1 Gold for me)


My other pet Hertz Peeve:
The citylink / tag issue is annoying - register AND have a tag, and if it doesnt detect at the toll gantry for some reason, Hertz just sends you the bill, and claims they cant fix it, then Citylink cant either becuase the "car is not in your name". Arrggghhh!!!

 

[Dave Noble]

My other pet Hertz Peeve:
The citylink / tag issue is annoying - register AND have a tag, and if it doesnt detect at the toll gantry for some reason, Hertz just sends you the bill, and claims they cant fix it, then Citylink cant either becuase the "car is not in your name". Arrggghhh!!!

In Sydney it isn't too bad to deal with if a tag doesn't register. Can phone the company for which that road toll applies , give them the car details and tag info and they can process it and avoid getting the $33 Hertz fee. In Melbourne, I have tended to find it cheaper just to buy a Tulla pass than use a tag ; does citylink not allow you to phone n pay it if the tag fails to register?