Time for a new hire car

[newmarket]

Its time to find a new hire car company. I've been using Hertz and Avis with Europcar thrown in for the last several years (mostly Avis prior to that). Anyway, I have a complaint with Hertz which the Sydney Airport Station Manager agreed to sort, but now I have been completely ignored by them. I find being ignored the worst insult.

Anyway, it's time to decide who my preferred hire car company should be. I like to have guaranteed availability and I like upgrades (but a newish clean car is more important), beyond that a simple way to handle tolls while in Australia in important to me.

I rent 30 - 60 cars per year and am Hertz President's Circle and Europcar Executive.

What is your favourite rental car company (beside Hertz) and why?

Thanks a lot!

 

[jetlagger]

Well.. As for my last appalling & disgraceful experience with Avis in SJU several months ago (though it was a franchise) which left a bad taste, I doubt that I will never rent a car from Avis again.
The follow up from Avis was even worse. At the very least the hotel with the on site Avis concession was embarrassed, understanding & investigated the fraud from Avis.
I usually rent from Hertz by default, which over the years has been wonderful.

 

[Mwenenzi]

The simple way to handle tolls while in Australia is have your own personal e-tag. But remeber to take it out the rental car
I take mine from own my car when in a rental. EastLink - Time Better Spent

 

[docjames]

Well I left Hertz for Avis.

No real problems so far (touch wood).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Any experience here of booking hire cars through the Avis UK site?
IIRC ? drron has posted about this.
I have just discovered that all of my subsequent bookings are considerably cheaper booked via .co.uk with the same or better inclusions. eg Commodore for the same price as the au site is quoting for a Micra.
I have gone ahead and re-booked via the UK site but would like to know if there is anything I need to look out for on pickup?
(I was able to input my preferred details into all bar one reservation)

 

[docjames]

The times I've tried to do this the quote has ended up more expensive

 

[drron]

Generally you get a better price with the UK site but not always.
hiring a car in the UK for 3 weeks I would have thought the UK site would win-however the Aussie site got me a Merc for half the price of the UK for a Corolla.that one was a no brainer.
but went back earlier this week and once again the UK site was cheapest for a US rental.
A bit like airlines-keep trying until you get the result you want.

PS-with Avis.Once again because Hertz outright lied to me.And dollar rentals I put in to the Californian attorney general-and they copped a fine so don't go back there!

 

[kalboy]

My Hire is with Avis Preferred, must say i'm really happy with them. Basically I always get what I pay for at the exact price quoted. when putting in an upgrade voucher I have always received it. Couldn't ask for much more really. Avis Melb airport staff found a credit card of mine in a vehicle and left a message on my phone whilst enroute to Perth to advise. Quite grateful for that. They posted it express at no cost.