Hertz 15% or 20% Discount for Amex Platinum cardholders

[AdMEL]

Me neither. I am the retentive type that actually reads the PDS and the rental agreement terms so that I know where I stand, and do not get any nasty surprises after the event.

I can't understand why people aren't more suspicious of "really good deals" and don't check out potential pitfalls more carefully.

I am not against taking risks to save money, but I really want to know how big the risk is, an evaluate whether I think the gain justifies the risk (and I am prepared to accept the consequences if it all goes pear shaped).

Well put and agreed!

 

[Ken1]

For the last few years I've used the "Virgin Guest Rate PH" CDP, and before that I would use QF or NRMA discounts offered by Hertz, and they were always added by Hertz representatives when making phone bookings, and they always told me the best one to use, depending on where I was renting.

When I called Hertz this morning I told them I'd heard that there is a discount of 15% for Amex Platinum Charge cardholders and I gave the lady I spoke to one of my booking confirmation numbers. She said that the discount for my booking would actually be 20% and changed it from the 5% Virgin Guest Rate that had already been applied to my booking when it was booked through their call centre late last year. She then changed my other two bookings to the Amex Platinum discount as well.

I have not seen any information on any of these discounts on the Hertz website - I have relied on the Hertz staff members to tell my I am entitled to use them and they have then applied them to my bookings. For my bookings in the USA and Canada there has been no excess on the Loss Damage Waiver which is included in the rates I have paid.

I have not read of any change to the excess amounts when using the discounts so I'm wondering, after reading some of the posts here, if there could be a problem using the discounts that I am told by Hertz that I am entitled to since I do have an Amex Platinum Charge card, and that card is registered as my primary card in my Hertz Number One Club Profile, with my Platinum Reserve card registered an additional card on the account.

 

[AdMEL]

For the last few years I've used the "Virgin Guest Rate PH" CDP, and before that I would use QF or NRMA discounts offered by Hertz, and they were always added by Hertz representatives when making phone bookings, and they always told me the best one to use, depending on where I was renting.

When I called Hertz this morning I told them I'd heard that there is a discount of 15% for Amex Platinum Charge cardholders and I gave the lady I spoke to one of my booking confirmation numbers. She said that the discount for my booking would actually be 20% and changed it from the 5% Virgin Guest Rate that had already been applied to my booking when it was booked through their call centre late last year. She then changed my other two bookings to the Amex Platinum discount as well.

I have not seen any information on any of these discounts on the Hertz website - I have relied on the Hertz staff members to tell my I am entitled to use them and they have then applied them to my bookings. For my bookings in the USA and Canada there has been no excess on the Loss Damage Waiver which is included in the rates I have paid.

I have not read of any change to the excess amounts when using the discounts so I'm wondering, after reading some of the posts here, if there could be a problem using the discounts that I am told by Hertz that I am entitled to since I do have an Amex Platinum Charge card, and that card is registered as my primary card in my Hertz Number One Club Profile, with my Platinum Reserve card registered an additional card on the account.

As long as you are entitled to use the discount (you hold the Amex Plat Charge Card, or NRMA member), then no problem. My comments, and those of others, are directed at those who choose to use a CDP that they know they are no entitled to use, because they don't hold the relevant card, or are not a member of the relevant organisation. This is a risk, that many people don't think through the ramifications of.

On this, I wouldn't blindly trust a Hertz customer service rep - just because they apply a discount doesn't necessarily mean you are entitled to use it. Make sure you definitely are, as if it is questioned in the event of an accident, it will be your word against the reps. Not a position I'd want to be in if the damage bill is thousands.

In summary, the balance of power is in the car rental company's favour - it's their car, their terms, their rental agreement and they have the authority to debit your credit card and if that doesn't work, pursue you for their costs (notwithstanding their terms cannot overlook your statutory rights). Breach their terms at your peril.

Finally, there is generally no such thing as an excess on car rental in the US - you either have no insurance, or you have insurance with no excess (called deductible in the US).

 

[JohnK]

If you have an annual policy which covers the higher excess anyway, why is a CDP which lowers the excess of value? Assuming that it is the lower daily rate, you need to look at any risks.

Good point.

It lowers the daily rate by ~$20 on a ~$66 rental which is a significant saving.

Need to rethink the strategy.

P.S There is a great post on Flyetalk by bob1008 on a similar thread.

 

[AdMEL]

Good point.

It lowers the daily rate by ~$20 on a ~$66 rental which is a significant saving.

Need to rethink the strategy.

JohnK, as VA Gold, you can get 20% off with Europcar and as is the topic of this thread, if you have an Amex Plat Charge Card, Hertz gives you 15% off in Australia. Whilst these are not as good as the discount you've quoted, they narrow the gap to roughly a few dollars, which isn't worth the risk in my opinion. It would only take one significant accident that may not even be your fault to wipe out all the savings and a lot more!

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, as VA Gold, you can get 20% off with Europcar and as is the topic of this thread, if you have an Amex Plat Charge Card, Hertz gives you 15% off in Australia.

I credit to VS Flying Club.

I do not have Amex Platinum charge card but have not seen anything yet that mentions I cannot use this CDP with Hertz as I have a Platinum card. It is not my responsibility to look deep under the Hertz covers to find that only those with an Amex Platinum charge are eligible. Tell me up front I cannot use the CDP.

I find Hertz a little expensive anyway and the VS CDP is not too bad when Hertz rates are respectable but nowhere near as good as the Avis rate on most rentals.

 

[AdMEL]

P.S There is a great post on Flyetalk by bob1008 on a similar thread.

Thanks for posting the link - I missed that one.

I only agree with one point of that post - that the car rental companies aren't going to let you get off easily! So, why give them an easy option by using a discount code you are not entitled to?

Things I vehemently disagree with:

Rental car companies are doing alright - in fact, until very recently when they put their rates up, the majority were losing money.

No one ever pays full price and regardless of the rate, they make a profit - in my view, they rely on the people that do pay the full rate to subsidise those that pay a discounted rate, as many of the discounted rates lose money. I have no doubt that many of the rentals I've had would've lost money! And what I mean by this is that excluding depreciation, their fixed costs are such that they would've been better not renting the car to me and letting it sit in the carpark! Once you take depreciation into account, they would've lost even more! And I'm sure many of those on AFF and FT too.

 

[AdMEL]

I credit to VS Flying Club.

I do not have Amex Platinum charge card but have not seen anything yet that mentions I cannot use this CDP with Hertz as I have a Platinum card. It is not my responsibility to look deep under the Hertz covers to find that only those with an Amex Platinum charge are eligible. Tell me up front I cannot use the CDP.

I find Hertz a little expensive anyway and the VS CDP is not too bad when Hertz rates are respectable but nowhere near as good as the Avis rate on most rentals.

The reality is that they are not going to tell you up front - you will only find out you are not covered when you damage the car and they look into it. Too late then.

The flip side of this is have you been given any evidence you are entitled to use the CDP by Amex or Hertz? If the answer to this is no (other than this thread), then you may have a problem! My understanding is that CDP's/AWD's are only supposed to be divulged to those who are entitled to use them and it is reasonable to assume that the onus is on you to prove you are entitled to use them. Further, I wouldn't consider them not challenging you to prove you are entitled when you collect the car as proof you are and are off the hook. It will count in your favour though.

As I mentioned earlier, the balance is power is in their favour!

 

[JohnK]

I just tried this CDP for a rental in MEL next month and it gets the lowest rate to within ~$3.50 of the Avis corporate rate.

I still do not see why I cannot use this CDP for Hertz rentals.

The description appears as CDP: AMEX PLATINUM CARD AU

 

[k3nnis]

I've got a PLAT charge card so I don't need to worry. But I'm feeling the pinch of the $900 annual fee!

 

[AdMEL]

I just tried this CDP for a rental in MEL next month and it gets the lowest rate to within ~$3.50 of the Avis corporate rate.

I still do not see why I cannot use this CDP for Hertz rentals.

The description appears as CDP: AMEX PLATINUM CARD AU

As has already been mentioned:

Amex Platinum Card almost always refers to Plat Charge Card

The onus will be on you to prove you are entitled to use it

The balance of power is in their favour

Not something I'd risk for a few dollars, but each to their own.

 

[basso]

As has already been mentioned:Amex Platinum Card almost always refers to Plat Charge CardThe onus will be on you to prove you are entitled to use itThe balance of power is in their favourNot something I'd risk for a few dollars, but each to their own.

This is important. For American Express, 'Platinum Card' is the product name of the platinum charge card.

 

[burmans]

This is important. For American Express, 'Platinum Card' is the product name of the platinum charge card.

Guys, where are these terms defined so instead of the pseudo-legal definitions we can refer to the actual definition.

 

[AdMEL]

Guys, where are these terms defined so instead of the pseudo-legal definitions we can refer to the actual definition.

From the Hertz rental terms:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]1. Nature of Agreement[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica](d) You confirm and promise Hertz that all information provided by You to Hertz at any time before and during the Rental Period is true and correct in every particular and the information so provided is all the information Hertz could reasonably require.[/FONT]

This clause gives Hertz a reason to refuse cover on the basis you haven't been truthful, for example using a CDP you are not entitled to use!

 

[JohnK]

Amex Platinum Card almost always refers to Plat Charge Card

Where? I have come across an offer that is valid for Amex Platinum card holders but somewhere in the fine print or part of the secret handshake it is actually a Charge card not an ordinary Platinum card. So change description of CDP to say CDP: AMEX PLATINUM CHARGE CARD and then there won't be any issues.

The onus will be on you to prove you are entitled to use it

Understand your point. They do not bother checking you are entitled to use the CDP at the time of rental but if you have to make a claim they will go through the rental agreement with a fine tooth comb

Are there any posts out there of people using a CDP they are not entitled to use (let's face it this would not be a small number), who then had an accident and had to pay the excess but the hire car company turns around and cancels the rental agreement and wants a higher excess?

This could be worth a risk.

 

[Joshua]

Well firstly the code is not really meant to be on a public forum

I'll just leave this here

Updated Rental Car Discount/Coupon thread with sample price matrix

 

[AdMEL]

Where? I have come across an offer that is valid for Amex Platinum card holders but somewhere in the fine print or part of the secret handshake it is actually a Charge card not an ordinary Platinum card. So change description of CDP to say CDP: AMEX PLATINUM CHARGE CARD and then there won't be any issues.

The Amex website refers to the charge card as 'The American Express Platinum Card', as a registered trade mark! No mention of 'charge' anywhere! It refers to other Platinum credit cards as Platinum credit cards. Many others on here agree with the definition as I've described it, so it's not just me!

Again, the onus will be on you to prove you were eligible to use the CDP.

Understand your point. They do not bother checking you are entitled to use the CDP at the time of rental but if you have to make a claim they will go through the rental agreement with a fine tooth comb

Are there any posts out there of people using a CDP they are not entitled to use (let's face it this would not be a small number), who then had an accident and had to pay the excess but the hire car company turns around and cancels the rental agreement and wants a higher excess?

This could be worth a risk.

I acknowledge the risk is probably quite low. But what I think you fail to understand is that if they catch you using a CDP you are not entitled to use and cancel the rental agreement, as you put it (I assume you mean cancel the Loss Damage Waiver), you may have no cover whatsoever, so you may end up being liable for all of the following costs: damage to the rental car, damage to any other car involved (what happens if it's a Porsche or Ferrari?), damage to any other property and being sued by any other person involved. It could amount to tens of thousands, not just a higher excess!

 

[burmans]

From the Hertz rental terms:



This clause gives Hertz a reason to refuse cover on the basis you haven't been truthful, for example using a CDP you are not entitled to use!

Is that a legal opinion. i.e. are you a lawyer?. CDP, while being a defined terms is not actually referenced by the T&C's anywhere. The T&C's also say that

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica](a) Except to the extent otherwise implied by law, the terms and conditions made available to You at the time of rental, together with the Rental Form and any Additional Terms, comprise the Agreement and set out all of the terms, conditions, warranties and undertakings concerning Your rental of the Vehicle, any Accessories and on which Hertz agrees to rent the Vehicle and Accessories to You for the Rental Period.[/FONT]


Since the T&C's state they are comprise the agreement unless you have received additional information Hertz have not provided any information as to which CDP's are available when and where they cannot then claim you have circumvented those terms. A better argument would be that the CDP rules override and/or add to theose condition but unless Hertz have actually provided those to you at the time of Rental as per their own T&C's they do not form part of your contract. So once again I ask where the definition of what is regarded as a Platinum Card and validity for a Platinum Cards CDP come from since it is clearly not Hertz's T&C's themselves.

 

[AdMEL]

Is that a legal opinion. i.e. are you a lawyer?. CDP, while being a defined terms is not actually referenced by the T&C's anywhere. The T&C's also say that

(a) Except to the extent otherwise implied by law, the terms and conditions made available to You at the time of rental, together with the Rental Form and any Additional Terms, comprise the Agreement and set out all of the terms, conditions, warranties and undertakings concerning Your rental of the Vehicle, any Accessories and on which Hertz agrees to rent the Vehicle and Accessories to You for the Rental Period.


Since the T&C's state they are comprise the agreement unless you have received additional information Hertz have not provided any information as to which CDP's are available when and where they cannot then claim you have circumvented those terms. A better argument would be that the CDP rules override and/or add to theose condition but unless Hertz have actually provided those to you at the time of Rental as per their own T&C's they do not form part of your contract. So once again I ask where the definition of what is regarded as a Platinum Card and validity for a Platinum Cards CDP come from since it is clearly not Hertz's T&C's themselves.

I am not a lawyer, so it is not a legal opinion, as such, but a cautious approach.

The clause I quoted forms part of the rental agreement and, as such, I don't see how you could get around saying that you were being truthful if you were not entitled to use a CDP that provides you with a financial advantage. Effectively, you are benefitting financially from something you are not entitled to.

Further, as I've already mentioned numerous times in this thread, the financial balance of power is in the rental car company's favour, given it is their car, their agreement and they have the right to charge your credit card and pursue you for costs. For the sake of a few dollars, why would you take the the risk, when the odds are stacked against you?

To clarify this, Hertz would charge your credit card and it would then be up to you to argue you were not liable.

Not a position I would want to be in, when you are talking about a potentially large legal and financial liability, but each to their own.

 

[equus]

I have no doubt that many of the rentals I've had would've lost money! And what I mean by this is that excluding depreciation, their fixed costs are such that they would've been better not renting the car to me and letting it sit in the carpark! Once you take depreciation into account, they would've lost even more! And I'm sure many of those on AFF and FT too.

I know of one rental of mine that must have cost Avis an absolute packet. About ten years ago, booked a small car for a 2 day weekend rental from Charleville airport (where we were visiting for the weekend - morning Dash 8 from Brisbane, stop at Roma, then to Charleville). Had an Avis weekend discount rate - so paid around $80 for the two days. This was all booked in advance.

To make the $80 from me:

1. 
   [*=1]Avis put a Commodore on a transport from Toowoomba and shipped it to Charleville - over 600km by road
   [*=1]Had a rep come out to the airport specifically to meet the flight and do the rental
   [*=1]Had the same rep come back out on the Sunday to accept the return
   [*=1]Sent the car back to Toowoomba on a transport

I know this was what was done, as the agent told me. Other than the two days I had the car, it was also unavailable for another 2 days while it was being shipped, and it probably consumed at least 2 hours (probably more) of the agent's time, as they had to meet the transport the day before, meet me twice, and then put the car back on the transport.

This rental must have been a huge loss - but making sure that they deliver on their promise to have availability.