Hertz points now expiring after 12 months!!

[kyle]

I also used to like Hertz a lot pre covid as they had newer cars, but guess I won't be renting from them from now on because of such poor corporate practice.

 

[kyle]

We should tag Choice, maybe Hertz will get a shonky award.

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for the heads up and the Weekly Gazette otherwise I'd have not known about it.

Lucky I last rented in February 2023 (Adelaide), so my meagre balance (143 points) doesn't go the way of the dodo. Having said that, I have no idea how I earned them (as I generally have always credited to AA), or when they expire.

I've had trouble getting cars (generally hire from Hertz in Adelaide), or if i do they are horrendously expensive. My 2 subseqent trips there this year have yielded a hire price that would have needed me to sell a kidney or my first born, neither of which I'm willing to do - so Sixt have been the beneficiary.

 

[dvb2000]

Is this the same mob who have you arrested and sent to jail for not returning cars that you DID actually return?

 

[lovestotravel]

I had about 200-

Is this the same mob who have you arrested and sent to jail for not returning cars that you DID actually return?

Yep and a reason why I haven't rented from them since well before COVID-19

That and the crazy high prices they try to charge when everyone else is cheaper (on the dates I want etc etc)

 

[Pointburner]

This really is disgraceful behaviour from Hertz. It would be interesting if the ACCC were to learn of this - their 2019 report on loyalty programs specifically highlighted the requirement to provide substantial notice of any changes to expiry rules. What Hertz has perpetrated is simply worst in class, and totally disrespectful towards its customers. How to engender loyalty, hey?

 

[lovestotravel]

This really is disgraceful behaviour from Hertz. It would be interesting if the ACCC were to learn of this - their 2019 report on loyalty programs specifically highlighted the requirement to provide substantial notice of any changes to expiry rules. What Hertz has perpetrated is simply worst in class, and totally disrespectful towards its customers. How to engender loyalty, hey?

The ACCC won't do a thing
Hertz do not care Hertz beats profit estimates on strong rental car demand

 

[tdimdad]

That and the crazy high prices they try to charge when everyone else is cheaper (on the dates I want etc etc)

This seems to be highly variable, even inside the same brand. A couple of times I've gotten what's clearly a mistake pricing, such as the one in the image below (and two minutes later the whole outlet disappeared from their booking system for a few minutes). The compact comes to $21 /day + fees. The full-size was going for about $171 for three days. Sometimes their flaky IT system can be our benefit, too.

For my needs, this outlet for Hertz or alternatively Avis Hornsby are often the cheaper ones. Though, I love the way SIXT can show you the "starting from" pricing for all their nearby outlets on a map. That is really handy.

 

[tdimdad]

Does anyone know what exactly is the definition of 'weekend' in the Hertz points redemptions? The '1 free weekend rental' would be a good way to burn off my meagre points but how far can I stretch the time in the booking?

 

[JohnK]

Hertz is a disgusting company with no customer service or morals.

I think some know my story. Around the time of Covid I had 1150 Hertz points which was enough for 2 days car hire. There was a major issue in 2019 where they tried to steal $3000+ from me by pinning some existing damage to me that was not true. I complained and it took months to get money back and they offered 700 points for the inconvenience of trying to steal my money.

Covid came around and those 700 points were never deposited after countless emails and posts on Hertz Facebook and my other points expired after 18 months inactivity. I could have used the 3 days car hire when we started travelling locally in 2020-21 but Hertz pretended to care and 700 points were credited eventially but not my original points.

I don't really care anymore as it's only 3 days car hire but this is not how you treat customers.

 

[lovestotravel]

This seems to be highly variable, even inside the same brand. A couple of times I've gotten what's clearly a mistake pricing, such as the one in the image below (and two minutes later the whole outlet disappeared from their booking system for a few minutes). The compact comes to $21 /day + fees. The full-size was going for about $171 for three days. Sometimes their flaky IT system can be our benefit, too.

For my needs, this outlet for Hertz or alternatively Avis Hornsby are often the cheaper ones. Though, I love the way SIXT can show you the "starting from" pricing for all their nearby outlets on a map. That is really handy.

oh for sure, when they have a pricing mistake it's great, I had one booked for January, a E-Class or similar in Scotland, $400 AUD for 2 weeks.... Normally its about $4000 AUD.

Prior to COVID similar car for $600 AUD for 2 weeks...

Sadly my trip dates changed any any attempt to keep that rate was just not working .

Now booked with SIXT for about $1500 for 2 weeks

 

[Cubiscus]

I've just had the pleasure of finding out my points are gone, whilst also noticing that the website references 12, 18 and 24 months in different places. Have emailed.

Did anyone have any success getting their point reinstated?

 

[QF WP]

I’m not going to bother chasing. Not worth my time and effort. They aren’t in the ballpark when I get quotes for hiring cars, particularly in Adelaide. Sixt have been getting most of my business

 

[Cubiscus]

So a new update, the Aus team refused to reinstate the points pointing to the T&C that lets them change conditions without notice, and had the temerity to mention being transparent to customers in this message.

I contacted Hertz on FB (not the Aus team) and they agreed to a short term extension until 31/12 but didn't have a record of my points. I had to screenshot transactions to get them added.

Then the next day they'd been reversed back out so I'm back to 0.

 

[Mattg]

I've just had the pleasure of finding out my points are gone, whilst also noticing that the website references 12, 18 and 24 months in different places. Have emailed.

Did anyone have any success getting their point reinstated?

If you have a few minutes to spare, please complain to the ACCC as this is just so dodgy from Hertz.

 

[Flashback]

I received a response back on Facebook...



Now I don't recall exactly how many points I had, but I know I had way more than that! I've said as much and awaiting a response.

This is where I cannot highly enough recommend having AwardWallet in place - gives you a full history as well as current balance, expiry, etc.

Well Hertz are claiming that's all the points I had going back 24 months. I know that's not the case as I had more than enough points for a few days rental. I'm just giving up with Hertz now. Will never rent with those crooks again. The upgrades as presidents circle well generally nothing so I dont feel like Im missing out.

I'll give Sixt a whirl next time I need a car with their status match from ALL.

I have Diamond with Sixt too - thanks to a match from Best Western Diamond (which was also a match from........ Hilton?) a few years back. Their prices tend to be better for me most of the time so I rent with them more (especially so in Germany), but I still do the odd Hertz one here and there. The problem is doing one at a location that actually triggers activity - if it's a franchise location it does not. Israel? No. South Africa? No. Cyprus? No. etc. So even if you do use them, don't expect it will always trigger. Caught me out once before, nearly.

Does anyone know what exactly is the definition of 'weekend' in the Hertz points redemptions? The '1 free weekend rental' would be a good way to burn off my meagre points but how far can I stretch the time in the booking?

Pickup on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I've burned a 1 weekend rental for this week and picking up Friday afternoon, returning Sunday night (using the AMEX CDP against it to get the bonus 4 hour return window so 52 hours).

 

[Cubiscus]

(Some of) the points are back after escalating through the US office who at least tried to help. As they don't seem to have access to my points record and haven't received a statement in 3 years I don't have them all back, yet.

In the reply email from the Aus team which I don't think was said in jest. Apparently I need to keep track of the terms and conditions on a day to day basis:

We actively review our Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program and routinely make updates to policy terms. We value transparency and encourage members to stay up-to-date on the program’s terms and conditions. Those terms and conditions give us the flexibility to make changes without prior notice.

 

[Happy Dude]

Is this like, say, QF where points expire if there's no activity in the account for 12 months?

 

[Cubiscus]

Yes, but if Qantas also reduced the 12 months with no notice, applied it retrospectively and didn’t tell anyone.

Which even Qantas wouldn’t dare do.

 

[QF WP]

This is where I cannot highly enough recommend having AwardWallet in place - gives you a full history as well as current balance, expiry, etc.
View attachment 354378

I have Diamond with Sixt too - thanks to a match from Best Western Diamond (which was also a match from........ Hilton?) a few years back. Their prices tend to be better for me most of the time so I rent with them more (especially so in Germany), but I still do the odd Hertz one here and there.

Never thought of having them on Award Wallet - only ever had FF programs

Wish I could get the status match to work but sadly I think that duck has flown south for winter