Hertz

Pros: Reliable vehicles, decent rates (US and Canada)
Cons: Watch for fuel charges when you've turned in a full tank

Three times in a row now, when I've returned a Hertz car and let them close out the contract and mail me a receipt, I've been charged a significant fuel replacement charge for a vehicle that I returned with a full tank. Each time, I've disputed the charge and it was quickly removed but this is an annoyance. And one more thing that I have to watch out for. Whenever possible, get the statement right when you return the vehicle.

Other than this business practice, I find Hertz to be just fine.

Pros: Renting online through the Ryanair web site. Ryanair discount - at least in theory.
Cons: Poor, poor customer service. No car available at destination.

After booking a flight with Ryanair I proceeded to rent a car through their web site with Hertz. The reservation went without incident until I decided that I needed a larger car.

The first problem was that I was not able to change my reservation online.

Second, after searching for almost 1/2 an hour, I could not find a customer service telephone number that didn't charge like a 1-900 number.

Third, after finally reaching a customer service rep. I thought I had the reservation fixed. I was told that I would have to make a new reservation and that the first one would be refunded. This is the problem - Hertz never refunded the original reservation. I have tried numerous times with various different customer service numbers to no avail. This has been an ongoing ordeal since I took the trip in October.

And lastly (and here's the kicker), Hertz did not have a car for me when I arrived at my destination. NOTHING! I ended up renting from Avis.

Pros: Superior vehicles, quick service
Cons: none

On April 29, I rented a Ford Expedition in NYC, it was brand new, only had 13 miles on it. It was a great experience, the agent was friendly and the service was super fast, the also accepted my debit card.

Pros: shuttle buses and check in
Cons: additional driver fee, older beat up cars, unfriendly staff, high prices

We got Hertz through Expedia.com in a package deal. I had never dealt with Hertz - and was surprised by the lack of customer service. The rental agent at the desk was very unfriendly, and had no sense of humor whatsoever. The car was OK, but had scratches and dents all over it as well as 18K on the odometer. We were told it costs $7 extra dollars a day for an additional driver - spouses included. So I ended up doing all the driving, which was a pain. We also got smacked with additional taxes not included in the package... but that really isn't hertz's fault.

The airport shuttle buses were fast and efficient, as well as the check in procedure.

Pros: Large network, open until 1 am
Cons: Noisy cars, mechanically unsound, high prices, difficult staff

Hertz staff are incapable of service, and the system is designed to give customers a nightmare from the time they show up to the desk. The staff do not prepare the cars properly - mine was missing a lock nut for changing a tire. The staff appeared crazy to me, obsessing over whose pens were on whose desk, while ignoring items critical to a safe trip. No maps were available either.

The car was overly noisy, and easily flattened the tire. For the next several hours I was on the phone from Quebec, only the call center didn't speak French to any tow operator, so a simple problem couldn't be fixed in one of the largest cities in North America! Lacking a lock nut, they towed the car - this would have to be a scam regularly played on the Ford and Hertz companies in Quebec.

Returning the car, I was insulted to hear the desk staff say that couldn't be possible. Adding insult to injury! For the high prices and poor service, I would have to rate this company as a basket case.

Pros: Good cars, good service
Cons: pricey

I rented from Hertz a couple of times. Their prices are high, but often competitive with the AAA discount. I was pleased on both occassion, being offered the ability to choose among cars at LAX. Then, in Chicago I had called in and said I had a coupon for an upgrade. At the rental time, I forgot the coupon, but they honored it anyway. A full size vehicle for $20/day on weekend special. Outstanding. Service was polite and professional at all times. I recommend the highly, especially with a discount.

Pros: They rent cars
Cons: The add false charges, then add other false charges when the first ones are reversed.

Rented a Hertz car from Stansted through Ryanair. Everything went fine till the bill came through. They had charged my credit card for a rental that was prepaid. Tried to get it sorted out at the desk when I returned the car but the people at Stansted were totally unhelpful, even though they admitted they had made a mistake. Got that reversed after several calls to head office. Told them what I thought of the people who work at Stansted. Then (several weeks after the car was returned) got another bill for "tire damage" that the people at Stansted suddenly found on the vehicle. Was all set to contest that too but they were threatening adding even more charges if we questioned the bill and my wife said it wasn't worth it. Still annoys me off that they can be so dishonest and get away with it. Will never rent from Hertz again.

Pros: none
Cons: No changes allowed, no flexibility

My brother, who never travels, rented a Hertz vehicle on Hotwire.com. The issue was the disclaimer that said no changes. So to be accurate, there are absolutely no changes allowed on the reservation. NO time, date, type of car, names, credit card, or anything else.

I called Hotwire, spoke to Jordan, who was condescending about making the reservation, and called Hertz who would not provide any leeway either.

So caveat emptor, if you're not 1000% sure, don't rent on Hotwire.

Pros: they gave in after a long argument (2 HOURS)
Cons: If your in a hurry you'll have to pay

when recently collecting a hertz car the staff told me my reserved one was gone (no doubt rented out for a lot more to a walk up customer without a reservation). She cheerfully informed me that only other car available was only going to cost me an extra 🕞+. Only after a lot arguing and threats (most importantly taking her name) from the 4 people on my party did she give in and let me have a car in the original class and for the original price and without much good grace on her behalf.
When I complained to hertz about this I was basicly told what was I complaining about? and not even an apology offered.

So be warned and when you go to collect your hire car from hertz don't be surprised if the only one available costs a wee bit more than you planned.

I think its company policy to try it on.

Pros: Nice logo
Cons: Don't go there.

Recently my wife and I along with another couple planned a trip to Xcalak Mexico which is a 5 hour drive south of Cancun. Three of us had dive equipment and normal amounts of luggage. I scheduled for a rental van to be picked up at the Cancun airport three months in advanced. Disorganization is an understatement at Hertz. There were 11 people waiting for the office to open in the morning. Finally someone strolled in at 8:20 am. It should be noted that in Cancun there are several rental agencies in a row, these other agencies had been servicing there customers since 7:30am. I get to the counter and give them my reservation, "oh, we sorry we don't have your vehicle", so they crammed us into a midsize car. It wasn't bad, but the key to reservations is.....well it's a reservation, your suppose to 'hold' the vehicle for the customer. Hertz has seen the last of me, this has happened too many times.

Pros: Not any that I can think of.
Cons: Flip flopping--and people say Kerry is bad

My husband and I were given a confirmation # to rent a car--the person on the toll free number stating that since he's a US Veteran he only has to be 21 years old. We get there--they deny us a car because he's not 25 yet. Thank God for Alamo.

Pros: Great cars
Cons: Expensive then the rest

I first rented with Hertz a few weeks ago. I currently commute to and from Upstate New York to see my fiance. It is a 4 hr. drive and I do not own a car as of yet. I was using enterprise but was dissatisfied with the non-consistency of the rate. Hertz does cost more, but I received a great car with cd player and all and unlimited miles which is what I needed. I believe in paying for the good stuff and not settling for cheaper quality.

Pros: None that I can think of
Cons: Don't rent from these guys

Hertz customer service in Heathrow is terrible. They don't have enough cars, and we were kept waiting over 3 hours for our pre-booked (and already paid for) rental.

Pros: Excellent Car
Cons: Confused Rental timings Denial of their statements

I rented a car for Christmas weekend and had pretty bad experience at Washington DC-IAD airport experience with Hertz people.

First thing the Rental timings are confusing no AM/PM on Return timings and no person to attend if you return car after 12 Midnight. I paid twice rental due to their mis communication and missed my flight.

Upon discussion they put mistake on me and denied of their statements.

Pros: Has a lost and found department.
Cons: Lost items of any value don't find their way to the lost and found.

I left an $800.00 digital camera on the back seat of my Hertz rental when I returned it to the Savannah Airport. It never turned up in lost and found. I know...what kind of idiot leaves stuff in their rental car!? That's not a reason to get ripped off.
The manager assured me the car was properly cleaned and prepped before it went out again. I can only conclude that some Hertz prep people have nice collections of "lost" items at home. Why bother with the charade of having a lost and found department when lost items find their way into Hertz employees homes.
It's disappointing when management works so hard to cover a dishonest employee's butt. It makes you think they're all in on these kinds of thefts together.
Remember the guy who left a $500,000 violin in a NYC cab? The cab company got the violin back to its owner. Moral of the story: you can trust New York City cabbies more than Hertz employees