Hertz - Massive increase to fees after booking (but before pickup)

[justinbrett]

This is just some friendly advice, if you are making reservations for Hertz a long way into the future, keep an eye on them.

In Aug 2022, I made a booking for Jun 2023 - oneway MKE to DFW over two weeks. (Actually going from ORD, but found a crazy good deal for US$890 total including oneway fees and 15 days rental- and was going to MKE as my first stop anyway).

I checked the booking a few weeks ago, Hertz is now saying total to pay is US$1140. Base rate hadn't changed, just the total.

Booking was made with Expedia (but luckily I made a change the day after booking with Hertz so I have an official Hertz email with the price).

Expedia "So sorry this happened, I'll go ahead and cancel it for you" (even the increased price is well below anything you can get now). I pushed and pushed about consumer rights and you're supposed to be a travel agent - in the end she said she "sent an email to hertz" and maybe I would hear back.

So I just called Hertz directly, they explained the one way fee had increased from $250 to $500, but that they would honour the lower amount and provide the email when picking up the car.

Also weirdly I can't add my 5star number to the booking, they said they'd have to cancel and make a new booking, and obviously they don't recommend that or I'd be liable for the $500 drop fee. Weird.

 

[cjd600]

Also weirdly I can't add my 5star number to the booking, they said they'd have to cancel and make a new booking, and obviously they don't recommend that or I'd be liable for the $500 drop fee. Weird.

Yeah, ufortuntately cannot add your member number after booking. I think they can add it for you on pick up (if needed for any benefit e.g. free additional driver or whatever).
I always get a much better Hertz rate, booking direct, when not logged into my account, so miss out on having my Presidents Circle number on it, and have never been able to add it afterwards online.