Hertz hire options in CBR

[QF WP]

Okay, I think I'm still a Pres Circle for 2014 (thanks VA Plat) that needs a car at CBR for the day (11th Sept) - pick up 8.00am and drop back at CBR 6.00pm. Through my QF flight booking, the rates looked cheap when I was booking, but didn't book at that point (30th August). Now when I re-enter via my booking today, the rates are all much higher (Avis $86, Hertz $88) than I recall a couple of days ago (albeit it I have now selected various cars and options).

So went into my Hertz membership and putting in same details, looked at the Global sale rates for Aust (20% off) that I got in an email on Friday, used that link and then signed in before selecting to proceed with the itinerary - for some reason it has an error message says on the "choose a car" page:

• The Rate Code youve selected - {0} is not available for this rental either because that location isnt participating or some requirement for the offer hasnt been met. We have removed the Rate Code from your request to provide you with the best rate. There may be other offers in the Special offer section which do apply, so you could check there for an alternative. [DRX142]

Fan...tas...tic - what's all that about??? Cheapest shown is now $93 (although careful scrolling down now gives me an option for the Mystery Sedan Hatch Wagon Van Ute (code XZAR) for $78.94....hmmmm, so long as it's auto I probably don't care, the $$ talk more...

So, I then think, lets look at the CEB PRESIDENTS CIRCLE REWARDS rates, so when selecting that discount code, I get the same error message and rates are higher (cheapest is $108.85 and XZAR is now $96.39....go figure

Then look at my other recent Hertz emails - oh look, a birthday email that quotes:

250 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards[SUP]®[/SUP] Bonus Points on your next rental. To claim them, all you need to do is book before 11/09/2014.

Happy days - let's see what this gives for rates (ignoring the GP Rewards - wouldn't know how many I have and their use). Looks like same rates as quoted immediately above.

Why does booking a hire car have..to...be...so...difficult. Why can't I be given the choices of all available offers on the one screen, so I can compare - is that too much to ask Hertz??

Any suggestions??? markis10, boomy etc

P.S. If this helps:

[h=3]Included[/h]

• 
  Taxes
  
  ​
• 
  LOCATION FEE
  
  ​
• 
  Vehicle registration recovery
  
  ​
• 
  Admin Recovery
  
  ​
• Unlimited Free Kilometers Included
  
  ​

[h=3]Not Included[/h]

• 
  ACCIDENT EXCESS REDUCTION
  
• 
  MAXIMUM COVER
  
• 
  Premium Emergency Roadside Service
  
• 
  Fuel
  
• 
  Young Driver Surcharge
  
• 
  Additional Driver Fee

 

[markis10]

Check first with QF and VA what their rates are which is a great way of comparing whats available across the companies, then I would suggest giving Hertz a call to inquire about a corp CDP, most corp CDPs I have are showing $72 for that date.

 

[QF WP]

Ah, I have a couple of them loaded, so let me check - are you saying they should be better than PRES CIRCLE ??

 

[markis10]

Ah, I have a couple of them loaded, so let me check - are you saying they should be better than PRES CIRCLE ??

Can be, some are based on negotiated rates regardless or floating retail rate, others are a % off the retail.

 

[QF WP]

Code FLD QANTAS AIRWAYS WEB gives $109.90 cheapest (apart from XZAR - same rate as above)

Code AFFINITY FPA gives pretty much everything unavailable (maybe they have changed it) :shock:

 

[QF WP]

Mystery Sedan Hatch Wagon Van Ute (code XZAR) for $78.94

Somehow I struggle with the concept of getting a Van or a Ute if I choose this one...

 

[markis10]

Somehow I struggle with the concept of getting a Van or a Ute if I choose this one...

I thought we were about to stock fluffy dice in the store :mrgreen:

 

[QF WP]

No chance I'd be buying those....

I thought the Pres Circle rates would be better (compared to other rates), maybe I won't miss losing it at the end of 2014 as it's done nothing for me

 

[OzEire]

It galls me to pay for parking my car at the airport and hiring another car at the destination (kinda feels like paying twice).

My SUV will be parked at CBR while you are hiring a car in CBR, and I will be paying Europcar in MEL.

In the days of Uber and Airbnb and all the sharing economy apps out there it seems like a gap in the market.

Back on topic, Canberra isn't that big, $22 taxi to and from the airport/city, and about $10 around town. With a hire car you must add parking costs too. Unless you are going into the outer burbs (or somewhere else like Bungandore or the snowfields) then not hiring might be cheaper.

 

[QF WP]

Now it would be handy to use your SUV for the day and have it back before you return - filling it with petrol would be cheaper than hiring a car. At the same time, I have a Subaru AWD sitting at BNE airport. Now if only we could find somebody from MEL who was going to BNE, we'd all be set

I have a bit of travel on the day - Airport to [Theodore, Isaacs, Manuka & Rivett] then back to the Airport. Still working out the best route with client availability - I have a couple of clients who thankfully are flexible. Not sure that taxis (with the waiting time, as some are houses) will really benefit me. No parking costs as the Manuka one is at/near the shopping centre.

 

[OzEire]

Now it would be handy to use your SUV for the day and have it back before you return - filling it with petrol would be cheaper than hiring a car. At the same time, I have a Subaru AWD sitting at BNE airport. Now if only we could find somebody from MEL who was going to BNE, we'd all be set

I'm always open to new startup ideas, thinking through this one today it seems the legal issues around insurance and fines would make it pretty tricky (look at the Uber thread) plus logistics of keys and changing plans which could leave a pax stranded without their car. I think the 'don't own a car share a pool of cars' model like GoGet solves many of those issues.

Hope you get a decent rate on a hire car.

 

[QF WP]

Going for the Mystery Sedan Hatch Wagon Van Ute (code XZAR) at $78.94.

 

[QF WP]

Had to postpone the initial trip and cancel the mystery car - which, of course, wasn't available when I re-booked for tomorrow...them's the breaks. Now got a CCAR for the same price

 

[QF WP]

Got what I ordered ... No Pres Circle love, although the car park was replete with cars:





It was positively pedestrian in it's acceleration. One positive, it only had 5K on the clock