Even though Hertz is probably the biggest rental car company in the world (?) and recognized by most people, I don't think that they got to that point by superb service or competitive prices. They were among the first national rental car companies, and without any competition at first, had no reason to price their product reasonably. Now that the market has opened up, and there are car rental places popping up on almost every other corner, they still have not lowered their prices to compete, yet they advertise that with Hertz, you get more quality and choices (questionable "fact", and as if that makes the high prices worthwhile).

I have not found too many cases where high prices are justified by mediocre service and choices. They seem to run out of the inexpensive, good gas-mileage cars long before anyone could arrive to pick them up, and then upgrade to the more expensive cars on at least half the rental transactions. If they advertised themselves as a "luxury" car rental agency, then we could expect the high prices, and the cars would be the full-sized gas guzzlers, and we would expect (or demand) that those cars be well cared for, and "top of the line". That is not the case. The cars that are rented through Hertz are no "better" or cleaner than what can be found with another agency.

It is also important that when you rent a car, especially with Hertz, you check your paperwork very carefully. Once signed, unfortunately, you agree to all the terms. Hertz has a way of making people feel like they don't have time to stand there, holding up the lines, and actually READ the fine print. Please take it from me, it IS your right to read it in full, and I recommend that you do, and question anything that appears that you do not understand or did not authorize. I have known many cases where agents will add items that the customer does not want, and does not need, sometimes, even telling them that they cannot rent the car without these added items.

For example, insurance - quite a hot topic with car rental agents - many will tell you that you MUST carry the comprehensive rider, some will even say that they will not let you rent without it. (this seems only to be true with a couple of the national car rental agencies, including Hertz). I am not saying that you should not add the insurance, if it will make you or your family feel better, but check with your own insurance company BEFORE you arrive at the car rental ticket counter, and find out from your insurance agent, what you are covered for in a rental vehicle. That way you will be able to make a much more informed decision, rather than agreeing, just because of a car rental agent who can bully you into signing your name on the bottom line.

I was a travel agent for many years, and found that while most car rental companies are eager to work with travel agents, sometimes even giving perks like complimentary rentals, or other "freebies" like a nice meal, or hotel accommodations, Hertz was often "untouchable" - they remained almost aloof on the phone, and were almost angry that a travel agent would "dare" to ask for a discount. In fact, it felt like Hertz thought that we were competing with them, rather than working with them. It was always frustrating to get a car rental agent on the phone, who would argue that we did not seem to know what the traveller "really" wanted, and would try to talk us into expensive upgrades, or different plans - often using the increased travel agent's commission as the justification for the added charges!

Now that I am out of the travel agency business, I still remember how difficult it was to find a Hertz agent willing to go the "extra mile" for customers, or offer directions, or ideas or recommendations to them, and based on that, will not use Hertz in my own travels.



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