Any suggestions on how to avoid Hertz drop off fee in NZ?

[Mal]

Want to do a 6 hour rental in NZ from Greymouth to Christchurch. Have done the pricings, and Hertz wants a $NZ170 drop-off fee for the oneway hire. If I use the Visa Platinum CDP, then that gets reduced to $NZ80.

Looking online, I can't seem to find any third party websites that will price out a Hertz rental for the appropriate dates on the one-way journey.

Any discount codes, or CDPs or other suggestions on how to avoid the drop-off fee? (BTW, not looking for a CDP I can't use -eg Corporate due to the insurance ramifications with Hertz, but rather public ones like Qantas, Entertainment Card or Emirates FF etc that I can easily join/satisfy)

Europcar has a much cheaper one-way fee, but not really keen to rent with them based on experiences from others. Also not wanting a "rent-a-bomb" type company.

 

[Gazza]

Beautiful Drive.

Have you considered the train?

Gazza

 

[Mal]

Beautiful Drive.
Have you considered the train?

Indeed. However, the train gets back too late for my liking flightwise, so wanting to drive back.

The other option I'm considering is to fly into CHC, then drive up and catch the train back, but the same OneWay fee applies.

There are some busses that ply the route, so that could be an option as well.

 

[Gazza]

I would take the train/drive option.

It really is a great drive. Take your time, enjoy the whitebait fritters.

Gazza