Good Bye to Hertz and Thrifty etc - Avis & Budget Only for QFF

[markis10]

That is very interesting. The CDP I used for Hertz was the VS CDP and earned 1,000 VS miles each time.

I had a closer look at the fine print and the VS CDP is the only one for 1K:

Miles earned: 500 - 1000

Special Flying Club or retail rate: 1000 miles

Corporate rate: 500 miles


Thanks for the headsup on the 1K though, I changed to the VS CDP and its not much more for DRW next month,

 

[AdMEL]

Not listed when i looked on the velocity website two seconds before I posted. :idea:

Velocity - Europcar

It is here:

Velocity - car hire

 

[oz_mark]

Maybe QFF got upset with Hertz and Thrifty signing up with the enemy :!:

 

[serfty]

The CDP I am eligible to use with Thrifty gives a FCAR for $42 base (~$48 nett) per day. I have been getting 143 QFF points on that for years. (At least I didn't have to chase Thrifty)

Oh Well, I can still earn Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars at

2.50 per day's rental.

 

[docjames]

It is here:

Velocity - car hire

Ah, my bad, was looking at the redeem page (which is europcar only) as follows:

If you go to redeem (click the big car on the top left), it comes up with Europcar, then click earn on that subpage, and it shows you Europcar only also. Hence why i didnt see the Thrifty/Hertz options. If i'd gone to earn in the top menu in the first place.....

Consider me

 

[obrienja]

As someone else said it does definitely depend on where (and what) you're renting. I've found Thrifty to be cheapest for Hiaces (I know) and FCARs but that's using a university/academic rate but the Hiaces in NSW have generally been on their very last legs (on multiple rentals). In fact the last one was so bad it was quicker to tick the undented panels...

For US rentals I'd found both Hertz & Thrifty to be cheaper but that's generally making use of Amex promotions & the same for UK and European rentals too where Hertz will generally include the insurance costs (mandatory due to corporate rules) while others add them at the desk.

I'm lucky that we don't have a preferred supplier so I'll just switch to Avis/Budget and continue getting a few hundred points as a bonus here and there (assuming the price is right).

 

[albatross710]

I consider this decision as an extension of the "time to decide" sweep cards that Qantas implemented last year. Certainly they have (and so they should) a clear idea of the way the program will work and the rules with which it will work.

These two decisions strengthen the QFF profit model. By limiting car rental access to the program provides more leverage over the rental companies that do have access.

The aircraft/car inter-modal interface (is there an industry terms for that?) would account for the significant proportion of car rental business in Australia. It appears QFF has leveraged that by working with two partners (highest bidders) they can control that interface.

With the various airport owners controlling how many operators have booths in the arrivals hall, Qantas can exert their own influence by directing their frequent flyers to their chosen operators.

By the number of people in this thread whom will change rental companies based on this, they appear to be heading towards success.

Nice business play.

Alby

 

[Dave Noble]

The aircraft/car inter-modal interface (is there an industry terms for that?) would account for the significant proportion of car rental business in Australia. It appears QFF has leveraged that by working with two partners (highest bidders) they can control that interface.

I find it surprising that such trivial amounts of FF points would have any influence over peoples' choice of car rental company and I would be surprised if it bothered Hertz that much and , of course, it could well be that Hertz instigated the separation from QF rather than the other way round.

 

[serfty]

As I indicated early in this thread the demise of AN and it's affiliation with Rental car sent more than one Avis/Budget franchise to "the wall".

Much of the turnover of these rentals are business related and employees see the extra points earned as a bonus.

I do not have a choice with Thrifty as the rates I get are so much lower than otherwise - as posted I'll simply earn that

2.50 per day instead.

 

[JohnK]

I find it surprising that such trivial amounts of FF points would have any influence over peoples' choice of car rental company....

You may think that 1,000 VS miles per day is trivial but most people think these miles are very significant.

 

[Dave Noble]

You may think that 1,000 VS miles per day is trivial but most people think these miles are very significant.

I would expect that some would, but would doubt that most would

 

[Moody]

I would expect that some would, but would doubt that most would

Never underestimate how these tactics change behaviours - just take a look at the points junkies in the Woolies thread.

 

[JohnK]

I really don't understand the comments from some people in this thread.

I am going to hire a car if I need to hire a car not go out to hire a car just for the sake of hiring a car.

My very modest car hire of the last year or so has almost given me enough VS miles for a one-way award SYD-HKG. I did not have to spend any extra money on car hire to achieve these miles.

No need to put people down. What is the problem with people taking advantage of these opportunities at no additional cost?

 

[straitman]

You may think that 1,000 VS miles per day is trivial but most people think these miles are very significant.

I would expect that some would, but would doubt that most would

I think the compromise wording that you two are looking for is that many people think these miles are very significant.

In any case the reasoning is subjective and so there is no right or wrong answer.

 

[Deleted member 9370]

Important changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer program car hire partners

Anyone else effected by this? :evil:

"We are delighted to announce that from 19 November 2010, Avis and Budget will become the Qantas Frequent Flyer program's exclusive car rental partners.
This will allow us to work more closely with Avis and Budget to bring you more special offers and to make sure that Qantas Frequent Flyers enjoy the best possible car hire experience.

In fact, right now you can earn 1,000 extra points on Avis and Budget bookings of three days or more. Book today for 1,000 extra points on rentals completed between 18 August and 31 October 2010.*

• For 1,000 extra points on Avis bookings of three days or more visit qantas.com/avis and enter the promotional code MPPA074 when you book.
• For 1,000 extra points on Budget bookings of three days or more visit qantas.com/budget and enter the promotional code MPNZ010 when you book.
• If you are booking directly with Avis or Budget just enter the promotional code online, or quote the code to the sales consultant if you are booking over the phone.
• If you already have a rental booking with Avis or Budget that is completed between 18 August and 31 October 2010, quote the relevant promotion number when you pick up your car.

Remember, to make sure you earn your points, don't forget to also show your Qantas Frequent Flyer card when you pick up your car. ^
Plus, ask about the great range of vehicles available at many locations across Australia including accessories such as satellite navigation systems, child seats and more!
How do these changes affect Hertz and Thrifty?

From 19 November 2010, Thrifty and Hertz will no longer be Qantas Frequent Flyer program partners. Therefore, you can only earn points on car rentals with Hertz and Thrifty that are completed by 18 November 2010 - this includes bookings that you may have already made"

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Program News - Important changes to program car hire partners

 

[markis10]

Not surprising to note that QF now give priority to the two partners when looking at car hire bookings on their site, you have to scroll down to get to the non QFF points options.

 

[lovestotravel]

Wow - I never knew about this until stumbling on this thread.

Was never notified by Qantas or Hertz, yet I rent fortnightly...

So I guess this means that all future bookings I have where I have selected Qantas for the FF points won't be awarded to Qantas ??

So I'll need to go and change all my bookings to Velocity for the FF points I guess :shock:

I assumed that when Hertz joined up with Virgin/Velocity that Qantas would be ditched!

 

[TonyHancock]

I assumed that when Hertz joined up with Virgin/Velocity that Qantas would be ditched!

Did Hertz ditch Qantas or Qantas ditch Hertz?

 

[markis10]

So I'll need to go and change all my bookings to Velocity for the FF points I guess :shock:

I assumed that when Hertz joined up with Virgin/Velocity that Qantas would be ditched!

For short term rentals I would suggest having a look at crediting to VS as per JohnK's post earlier, they credit 1100 flying club miles per rental on public and VS corporate rates if you are a gold member with Hertz.

 

[Joshua]

For short term rentals I would suggest having a look at crediting to VS as per JohnK's post earlier, they credit 1100 flying club miles per rental on public and VS corporate rates if you are a gold member with Hertz.

+1 great option

Sounds nice in theory I've had hell to get anything to credit... I had 6 rentals within a few weeks not go to VS. They slowly credit to QF even though I removed QF from the gold club profile and individual reservations and asked the airport agents to remove QF from the booking. Cancelled the last two bookings... waiting on the club gold agents to get back to me, previously they've always been quick and helpful...

I hope it's simply a bug with my profile and not affecting others.