Hertz or Europcar for Velocity status match?

[SurryHillsFlyer]

Hey everyone,

To this point I haven't made use of the Platinum offer with Europcar / Hertz. I only got my Ps in my late 20s and in November will progress to a full license. I was just wondering what AFFers experience of the programs are and if there is a beneficial time of year to join (eg. Is membership one year from time of activation or calendar year?)

Cheers!

 

[Daver6]

I'm Hertz President's Circle (from some hotel status a while back) and have been nothing but disappointed. The so called guaranteed car upgrade almost never happens. I've raised this with them several times and get complete nonsense explanations and terrible customer service. I can't in good faith recommend this company. YMMV though.

 

[boomy]

I’m Hertz PC and like Daver6 also feel mostly underwhelmed by the benefits. I do get regular upgrades but they are standard and recognition is nothing like in the US or even Europe where PC get dedicated service and much better upgrades.
What sets Hertz apart from the rest is their ongoing partnership with United where members earn minimum 2k miles per rental (must book on the United website).

 

[Daver6]

What's annoyed me even more than the lack of upgrades is their customer service when I've queried it. The T&Cs very clearly state "guaranteed upgrade". No ifs or buts. When questions they tell me it doesn't apply to certain locations (yet they cant tell me the list of these locations) or that its only if an upgrade is available. The second point makes a mockery of the term "guaranteed". It also means that there is nothing to distinguish the upgrade benefit from the level below.

In terms of the rubbish about when and where an upgrade should apply, I've got an ongoing case open with Hertz. Happy to post the results if it even concludes.

 

[newmarket]

I’m Hertz PC too. It doesn’t get much in Australia, but I really like the Ultimate Choice in the US. I’ve had some great cars.

 

[CPMaverick]

Agree with the others, PC is meaningless in Australia, but can be helpful in the USA.

 

[wendlle]

I have the Europcar status, and like with Hertiz didn't get any benefits.
I am also supposed to get an automatic upgrade but got the car I requested, the woman at the desk also had zero idea what europcar privilege members even get.
So it was basically useless.

 

[dxwell]

From our experience: me with Hertz and wife with Europcar through VA WP, we were underwhelmed with the benefits and service. Recognition was zero.
I use Avis Preferred (no status required). Always better pricing and top notch service, both Aus and abroad.

 

[Muppet501st]

Im hertz PC ( via the hard way) and ive been looked after pretty well. I guess it differs from location to location. As i travel to the same places, front counter staff know me by name.
I always book the cheapest car ( as per our travel policy, and Hertz is our only option, ).
I took out the Europecar WP benefit, but never used it, so cant comment there.
Have you looked up the T's & C's for renting at your age with each company?

 

[flying_duck]

I always book the cheapest car and have status with both, but I prefer Hertz. I rarely want to talk to anyone on a full nights sleep let alone after a flight, so I like going straight to the car anywhere in the world and just driving off. Also, recently I needed a car with a larger boot (happy with a smaller car, just needed luggage space), and received an upgrade without asking and they were very polite.

Isn't it funny how inconsistency can impact a brand?

 

[hossein_au]

I have status with both (top tier with Hertz and second from the top with Europcar--with all their weird naming I don't even try to remember what they are called). With Hertz, there is at least consistency: getting a car without talking to anyone, getting an occasional (barely noticeable) upgrade, etc. With Europcar, inconsistency is name of the game: I always book one of the cheapest options and I have been upgraded to Mercedes, to being flatly told I was not eligible to any form of upgrade.

I don't even expect a clean car these days; I have received multiple cars in the past year or so where it clearly had not been cleaned (most often outside, but sometimes inside). My motto is to not expect anything above and beyond getting "a" car. Mid December last year, Europcar did not even let me book a car (any car) for Christmas day at Melbourne airport even though our corporate agreement guarantees one. I am sure they can point to a fine print that says something to the effect of "best effort" guarantee or some other weasel way of offering a guarantee without actually offering it.

 

[Denali]

Husband has been Hertz, no upgrades. Im currently Europcar (thought we would try both) and no upgrade offer yet.

The Europcar status doesnt even give you free 2nd driver, thats the status level above the Velocity/partner benefit.

 

[SurryHillsFlyer]

Thanks for the insight everyone! Pity to hear about the inconsistent service.

 

[ozjuice]

I'm Hertz PC and use mainly overseas where the service and upgrades have been amazing. LAX you just pick your car in the PC lot and off you go......
Remote countries it's pointless but then so is any loyalty program. Europe has neen pretty good as I get upgrades in UK and recently in Italy. In Oz it's been ok and I have been upgraded sometimes.

 

[Cult of one]

I rather Hertz mainly because the velocity points always come through without prompting. I am a Presidents circle and like the dedicated line that gets you out faster of there is an issue and the just go to the board and grab the car at other places.

In the USA I was upgraded from a Chevy Malibu to a jeep grand Cherokee for a 2 week family trip which was great for all the extra shopping we did. In Adelaide last time I was upgraded with Hertz from a Hyuandi i30 to a Toyota Kluger and have had many upgrades in Sydney from Camry size to CV6 Holdens.

In the USA another time I went from small Corolla size to a Mustang, that was fun.

Sometimes it is small things where they will find you a low KM (less than 1000km) brand new car instead of one that has been whipped.

 

[Muppet501st]

I rather Hertz mainly because the velocity points always come through without prompting. I am a Presidents circle and like the dedicated line that gets you out faster of there is an issue and the just go to the board and grab the car at other places.

In the USA I was upgraded from a Chevy Malibu to a jeep grand Cherokee for a 2 week family trip which was great for all the extra shopping we did. In Adelaide last time I was upgraded with Hertz from a Hyuandi i30 to a Toyota Kluger and have had many upgrades in Sydney from Camry size to CV6 Holdens.

In the USA another time I went from small Corolla size to a Mustang, that was fun.

Sometimes it is small things where they will find you a low KM (less than 1000km) brand new car instead of one that has been whipped.

I used to credit to VFF, but now keep the Hertz points and find them to be great value.

 

[jpk]

I went with Europcar, and they are absolutely hopeless. The status and benefits in Australia are non-existent. Their customer service/complaints people are very good at replying in a condescending arrogant way that just makes you even angrier. They used to have better vehicles but I've noticed in the last year they're standards have lowered.

 

[nathrek]

Sounds like everyone's had a generally bad time. Admittedly I've only used it once since taking advantage of the upgrade and it worked flawlessly. Booked the cheapest car I could out of Sydney airport, rocked up and got straight into a top of the line BMW. Was fantastic.

 

[boomy]

Hertz used to be super generous with prestige upgrades in Australia up to few years ago. It was never an official perk but agents had authority to give almost any car to loyal PCs.
These days guaranteed upgrades are up to full size so if one books Camry for example there is no obligation to upgrade, even if there are better cars available.

 

[Spacetravel]

I have been Hertz PC for 3 years and mostly agree with the comments above. I have had pretty much no status recognition at all, to the point I wasn't even sure if I had it.

This all changed recently at my recent hire a month ago in ZQN. When I arrived there was a huge line of people trying to collect their hire car, the staff were calling out for gold, PC members to step forward and skip the line which was great. They were running behind and most of the cars weren't ready yet when I arrived but they made sure mine was first to come out. I received a 2 level up car upgrade (mid-size to a suv). I ordered snow chains but they weren't in the car, probably due to the upgrade. When I went back the next day to collect them they were very apologetic and waved the fee of the chains for the whole week.

I accidentally damaged the car and even during this process they were extremely helpful, repaired the car and sent the invoice for my travel insurance within a week. Even on returning the car at the end they were very friendly and the same person I had dealt with all week through the hire, chains issue, damage and return came and had a chat to me about everything and remembered I was a PC.

This was extremely different to the last time I hired from the same place a year ago. Besides not receiving any recognition, on the first day of using the snow chains about 50M in they broke and got stuck in the wheel which sucked trying to dig out in blizzard conditions. Just to clarify, I am not a novice with snow chains, they were on correctly and I was going slow, I believe they just broke due to being worn out. I returned to the hire place, they weren't even friendly about it, no apology and they kept us waiting for over an hour without information to get new ones.

So I am unsure if there was maybe a change in management or the new person was just great at customer service, but it was from a 0 to a 10 difference in a year.