What's the value in car rental elite status?

[timbow]

I'm eligible for various car hire status tiers through various airline statuses and other memberships (e.g. with Velocity status you can get complimentary Hertz or Europcar elite status). But until now, I haven't really seen the benefit for somebody like me that only hires cars a few times per year.

Are there any real, tangible benefits to car hire status? Is this something you value and would go out of your way to get?

Tell me what I'm missing...

Whilst I'll probably lose it this year through lack of travelling in the new job, I still have Herrtz Presidents Circle status. Got to admit - I love the convenience. I've never had any of the experience some of the other posters mentioned and that might change my view, but right now:
- My name's on a screen and I walk straight to my car
- My car is always closer to the office (or entry point), meaning I get out of the airport quickly
- I get a choice to upgrade or take a different car from a selection they have right by the office.

On top of that, I've used the points to hire a people mover for a family road trip in comfort...

It sure as hell isn't as good as a gold or platinum ff card, but the convenience was always key for me

 

[Brissy1]

I've lost count of the number of the times I've rejected an upgrade to a convertible in the US with Hertz and Avis, for the reason that they wouldn't fit our luggage.

Like you, I choose my rental cars carefully for the circumstances of travel. I can't think of a time where an "upgrade" has been welcome.

Interesting. Last time in LA booked a Mustang with avis, perhaps I should book lower an wait for the upgrade.

 

[drron]

One of the things I didn't miss last year with my 2 Alamo bookings was being able to walk to my car without going to the office. In both Barcelona and LHR I got an email the day before to checkin before I arrived at Alamo. I did and both times met outside the office by an agent with an Ipad who asked my name and asked to see my D/L and CC. whilst that was being done a fellow was sent off and by the time I got my D/L and CC back my car arrived beside me. So a quick walk around the car with photographs off I went and didn't have to show anything at the exit.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'll put the Alamo higher than Hertz for next trip if Alamo available. I am a little concerned that Hertz renters have been pulled over by the cops at gunpoint and put in jail due to Hertz previously reporting the vehicle as stolen.

My name's on a screen and I walk straight to my car

I get that with no status but a Hertz account.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Today, I booked a standard SUV in YLW and picked up a BMW 530 AWD. Nice one, Avis. I think all factors were in play, including recent spending.

 

[Quickstatus]

standard SUV

What was the "standard SUV"?

 

[cjd600]

Thats what I often found when I have 2 windows opened - one with the (medical college/association) Wizard or the Hertz equivalent CDP on one window and a 2nd window without any CDP equivalent code.

The best benefit is "direct to car" bypassing the rental car office checkin. But thats not a benefit of any special status or CDP/AWD but just having an account with the rental company - CC, DL, optional insurance preferences.

I would rather get the vehicle of my choice rather than an upgrade because I choose my vehicles carefully and an upgrade is not necessarily better
Once when in the US I rented a 4WD Chevy Suburban, but was "upgraded" to a GMC Yukon with what i called "luxury pack" - the Denali or something. Both are massive vehicles. However the Yukon was slightly smaller in terms of cargo space - which i knew of beforehand. So I went back to the office to request the lower grade Suburban. The attendant said but the Yukon is a much better vehicle. I said its no good because it won't hold all the gear that I got.

A Yukon is not big enough for a Family of 5 with 500kg luggage including skis and carry on

Yeah the Yukon compares to the Tahoe from a size perspective. The Yukon XL to the Suburban.

 

[bashworth]

I haven’t got any status and normally book through Zoom Zoom or similar looking at a small car and nearly always get an upgrade usually a Camry Hybrid. On one occasion a few years ago we booked a Hyundai Getz and finished up with a Comodore SS!
Probably 20 years ago I had a Hertz Gold card through work but found if I wanted to use it for private holiday hire I got charged about 20% more than I could hire otherwise.

 

[SYD]

Probably 20 years ago I had a Hertz Gold card through work but found if I wanted to use it for private holiday hire I got charged about 20% more than I could hire otherwise.

That was never my experience with Hertz and then Avis (plus a specific corporate leisure deal with Europcar). As mentioned earlier, some corporate deals seem to include various insurances that you normally wouldn’t sign up for if you already had decent travel insurance.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What was the "standard SUV"?

Ford Edge and some other thing I had never heard of.

I can get a hard double ski case through the 530 split seats. Young Miss Spruce leaves tomorrow before me,



so I don't think we need a larger vehicle. (If we do, I'll DHL the skiis - in fact, I think I will, as I have a few other destinations after this).

It just so happens I have some shots of the X5 loaded in YVR. The ski case still enters the front cabin. I don't think we are light travellers.......

 

[Quickstatus]

Ford Edge

Just get a suburban/yukon. Real Murica

But DHL skis is an excellent idea - only problem is timing ski arrival with your arrival

 

[Sprucegoose]

Just get a suburban/yukon. Real Murica

But DHL skis is an excellent idea - only problem is timing ski arrival with your arrival

Agree; some guys I know send ahead. These are going back to Oz so they need to turn up by the Kings Birthday weekend this year. Plus I will airtag them as I do everything these days.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Just get a suburban/yukon.

Just to fit in, eh?

I needed a car with 'Winter Tyres' instead of 'Mud and Snow' or, worse, 'All Season' tyres. No issues around YVR, but we were driving on the Coquihalla/ Merrit - Kamloops Pass. I did that a few years ago with All Seasons, and I thought we were filming Ice Road Truckers.

Avis advised their X5 was the only car equipped with Winter Tyres. There are also insurance considerations if you choose to ignore local (safety related) requirements, it may reduce or cancel any insurance entitlements. Winter Tyres are mandated for that Highway and certain Mountain Areas.

 

[Quickstatus]

Coquihalla

Def need winter tyres on that road.
When it shuts it really shuts....

Mud and snow are not winter tyres.
As you know winterctyres have a very soft compound at normal temps so that when in subzero they are soft and pliable enough to provide grip.

The grip is not in the chunkiness of the tyre but the pliability of the rubber

 

[Sprucegoose]

Def need winter tyres on that road.
When it shuts it really shuts....

Mud and snow are not winter tyres.
As you know winterctyres have a very soft compound at normal temps so that when in subzero they are soft and pliable enough to provide grip.

The grip is not in the chunkiness of the tyre but the pliability of the rubber

Yes Indeed. They are valuable when you really need them.

 

[gaz0303]

I have to use Hertz for work and am Five Star. As others have said, great to walk straight up to car. I have also been able to redeem points for private car hire when I wanted. Upgrade success rate about 1 in 3. When I pay for personal bookings, I need to remember to remove the discount/cdp codes to get cheaper rates.

 

[drron]

Tonight I got an email from Hertz. haven't used them for 20 years but apparently i still have status.

 

[exceladdict]

What is as just (or more) important is the CDP code you are using. For example, on some projects, I work through an Infrasturtuctre business that would be in the top five renters in Australia with Hertz. Another CDP code I use is for a global tech company that has negotiated great deals, and these change depending on where you are renting from.

I believe a Rental Coy will always look after big corporate first, then the elites, but essentially they are (or should) be the same.

Tasmania? Like drron? Tasmania seems to get more than it's fair share of questionable damage, claimed well after return. Maybe they're just agencies there.
I'm Avis preferred and always get an upgrade (best from a Getz type to a new Pajero Exceed in Cairns, so drove up to cape tribulation for fun)

Agree totally @Quickstatus . I book the car I am happy with. I remember at Avis MIA instead of my car space it had go to office - at least it was a preferred driver office. Told they had given me a great upgrade instead of a full size booked. It was a red Corvette. Great when I was young but neither I nor our luggage would fit in it. So back to the office it was.

I've lost count of the number of the times I've rejected an upgrade to a convertible in the US with Hertz and Avis, for the reason that they wouldn't fit our luggage.

Like you, I choose my rental cars carefully for the circumstances of travel. I can't think of a time where an "upgrade" has been welcome.

This has been a really interesting thread! I have generally used Avis or Hertz and been treated well, though the one time I had an issue (flat tyre) I happened to be renting with Alamo and they swapped the car very quickly.

Best upgrade was also a convertible in the US - in Chicago from a Kia Rio to a Mustang! I was the only driver (due to expense) and the friends in the back were cranky because it was the day we were going on a trip to see all the famous architecture sites. Plus it was snowing so couldn't really put the top down. I think this was hertz using a company code.

I remember after reasonably consistent upgrades across the US, being very disappointed getting a very dodgy old hatch at Belfast airport (Hertz if I recall correctly). But I realise there's so many factors and ultimately you should only expect what you pay for.

Avis in AU have been great, I tend not to get upgrades with my current company code, but very good prices. In the past a welcome upgrade in CNS, i30 up to a small SUV (RAV4 equivalent I think) for a week in Port Douglas. But agree with others that sometimes luggage space is important too!

 

[dylarr]

I have vanilla Avis Preferred and have Hertz Gold Five Star through Amex Platinum.

As other have mentioned with Avis Preferred, the main benefit is being able to look at the board when you arrive at the airport that has your car's bay number on it and go straight to the car.

For Hertz, I'd say I'm upgraded 50% of the time. I also use the accrued points to claim free rental days.

They are minimum effort programs and I've got enough out of them to bother with it.

 

[drron]

Well I have used a consolidator for my last 3 bookings in Europe and every way cheaper than Avis with my Avis preferred number in. Upgrades every time. Great service. And although I don't get to walk to my car each time it has been brought to me. I actually prefer that.
Add to that when I have returned the car an agent has walked around the car with me and we have agreed no new damage.

So first 2 with Economy bookings and an Alamo car this time with Auto Europe and a Europcar. I don't miss Avis at all.