Hertz. Book one car and receive another, generally inferior car.

[kooky]

Twice I chose Hertz this year for my rentals in Europe. These are my experiences:

#1 Booked a Fiat Convertible, auto, 2 weeks before a 3 day holiday, airport pickup. Was really looking forward to that. Upon arrival was given a Fiat 500 sedan, manual, that was all they had left. Thanks. Complained to Hertz got $30.

#2 Booked an Alfa Romeo, 2 weeks before a 2 day holiday, airport pickup. Was really looking forward to that. Upon arrival was given a Ford Fiesta sedan, that was all they had left. Thanks. Not only no Alfa, I reserved group C and they gave me a group B, charged for a group C. Complained to Hertz got $18.01.

And back in 2008:

#3 Booked a Volvo S80, 4 weeks before a 10 day holiday, branch pickup. Was really looking forward to that. Upon arrival was given a Volvo XC90 station wagon with a cracked windscreen, that was all they had left. Thanks.

Aside from that, Hertz charge a bomb for an additional driver, per day.

What a letdown of a company. I can't keep doing Einstein's theory of Insanity and giving them my business. They just don't deserve it.

Compare that to renting a car from Sixt where I reserved a BMW 320i, they were out of stock so I got a BMW 328i.

 

[kyle]

Sorry to hear that, but you still rented from Hertz after two epic fails?

I had better experience with Hertz Perth. Booked BMW 320i (Reserve this exact model) and got brand new BMW 320i.

 

[kooky]

Sorry to hear that, but you still rented from Hertz after two epic fails?

I had better experience with Hertz Perth. Booked BMW 320i (Reserve this exact model) and got brand new BMW 320i.

Well I never complained about the S80 (I was spewing bad), due to it being a round-Europe trip, and I thought give them a few years so see if things have improved, benefit of the doubt, better the devil you know, but nup. For the record I'm not #1 Class Gold or anything. I used to be, until I figured out it jacked the prices up 10%, I promptly threw it away. Nasty tactics.

I remember now about the Alfa. Indeed it said "Reserve this exact model". What a load of bull. I should complain to the Rental Car Ombudsman! hehe

Of course, you get to the airport and you're stuck without a car otherwise. Anyway I am sure other companies are better. Just got to try them all. I hear lots of horror stories about Europcar getting niggly on at-fault claims over a minor scratch, but I always take out the extra insurance anyway. I am pretty sure a benefit of Hertz is that they are not so pernickety on minor scratches.

 

[boomy]

Looks like Hertz is much better in Australia then in Europe. I never had any issues with downgrading cars here.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I generally rent with Hertz here and overseas. In both Australia and the US, I often get upgraded to a higher category - two recent examples:
a) booked Camry, got Merc C200
b) booked Corolla, got Mustang

The very worst I've ever got was a car of the same class that I booked. I've never been downgraded by Hertz.

Seems the OP has been particularly unlucky.

 

[kooky]

Yep was all in Europe. I did many years ago order a Mustang convertible in LA with Hertz and get a Mustang convertible, but that was over 10 years ago.

 

[JohnK]

My last 3 Hertz rentals I have had issues with a less than full fuel tank.

Still they are better to do business with than Avis as I have to chase up for VS miles almost every time.

 

[jastel]

I have always got at least what I ordered, in USA, Europe and Australia. Got some upgrades, just one class higher - no Ferraris etc.
One problem in Ireland a few years ago, car had bald tyres, didn't really notice until got up to speed on freeway, pulled into next depot and they changed the tyres.
Have recently got Hertz Gold, but not used yet, next trip next month.
Their prices are sometimes way higher and I use other companies but stick with the Big 4 for peace of mind if there is a problem.

 

[Bolthead]

Swings and round-a-bouts I guess. It sounds like the OP had some bad luck and off course it would make sense to jump ship. But what I have seen and read means the grass is not always greener on the other side. We tend to use Hertz for personal rentals because three of us are Presidents Circle. Having said this there are plenty of stories on this forum and in particular in regards to European rentals and the scams they run. My daughter recently rented a compact in Germany through Hertz and was upgraded to a Volvo (not sure what model) However that's was the only good point. She got a flat tyre and luckily her friend was willing to change the tyre.... no spare tyre... Had to be towed. She didn't have to pay for it but she was concerned what would happen at the other end. Sure enough when she came home to Australia there was the bill for 560 euros already charged against her credit card. There was a lot of tooing and froing with Hertz and Hertz Australia didn't want to help. Luckily for her in the end insurance covered it and the drama was over but it took close to 4 months to resolve it. In Europe my experience with Hertz has been positive. Asked for a Lancia and got an Alfa Romeo Giulietta. I was still a little disappointed despite that fact that I haven't driven either car but after seeing a report on Top Gear on the Lancia I am glad I got the Alfa.

 

[OzEire]

The thread title is so apt, but in my case, it was Budget not Hertz.

Booked a class D car with an upgrade promo code directly on their site, arrived at the desk in MEL and it was total chaos, plus I had been delayed, so it wasn't until I arrived the vehicle that I noticed a much smaller car than expected. Turns out that not only had I not received the upgrade, but had been downgraded to a "C" class hatch (and an Avis vehicle so they were clearly struggling with availability) but I was no so late that I decided not to head back to the desk which was still overrun with other customers and fight there on the spot.

Do you think there is any point going back to Budget to complain ? I expect that would result in either no response or a very apologetic but ultimately useless response.

OzEire

 

[tgh]

I'm currently in Monterey ,piloting a Hertz SS Camaro for ten days.. frisco to lax... at Fcar international rates , no particular Hertz status.. just luck…maybe they wanted it back in lax .. who knows...

 

[ftm]

I had it with Avis only 2 weeks ago at Melbourne airport... sorry sir, we don't seem to have your reservation, but we have cars so its no problem. Then they try and give me a car at a higher rate than what I booked.