I recently joined Hertz #1 Gold club, mainly because they said they would "gaurantee" the car you chose when making your reservation. So I "reserved" a Ford Mustang at RSW in Florida.

Of cousrse, when I got there the manager said there were no Mustangs, and to my surprise he said it was a joke to think you would actually get one. Has anyone else had this experience?

I'm contactining Eliott Spitzer, my state att'y general, to ask about this.

I'm not surprised. Once we were "guaranteed" a car -- any car-- with Hertz during furniture market in High Point. This was even one at horribly inflated prices and had to be guaranteed by us as well with a credit card. When we arrived they had no cars -- none. If we hadn't shown up, we would have lost our money. Yet their guarantee wasn't worth any thing, as they couldn't give us any type of car at all -- until a day later!

You got that guarantee in writing? What exactly does it say? I don't see how they can "guarantee" a car. What if two people who rented that car for the week before didn't bring it back on time?

I looked at Hertz's website. They only guarantee "a car" for their highest level #1 club member - the President Circle - who rented 40 times a year or more. Not regular #1, not #1 Gold, not #1 5*.

And it's just "a car".

And all they're letting you do is "reserve" a specific model.

My husband is a #1 Club Gold President Circle member and his last two trips, Hertz screwed up big time. However, they compensated him for their mistakes. He's hoping it was just a fluke.

The last time we rented with Hertz, they insisted a Toyota Corolla and a few other compacts were "Mid-Size" vehicles, but were running a "special" and offered to upgrade us for a few dollars more per day.

We have had trouble getting the car we wanted, from Hertz, at RSW also, only we wanted a minivan - go figure!

I am a Hertz Gold memeber also.

I never expected them to reserve a specific make and model car.

I usually reserve an intermediate and am almost always upgraded at least one class.

I have had bad luck with Hertz, as well. After standing in their office with no available cars for my reservation, after midnight and a full day of travel under my belt, I swore I'd never use them again.

This reminds me of the classic Seinfeld when Jerry and Elaine go to pick up their rental car...he says to the rental car agent "You understand taking rhe reservation, it is HOLDING the reservation that you do not understand." Or something like that...

Perhaps I've been lucky as a #1 Club Gold member, but my only complaint has been with an UNWANTED upgrade. I recently rented a full-size sedan in Denver, and they bumped me to an unwanted Expedition -- I never want an SUV, and certainly didn't want to have to pay for the gas it took to fill that beast. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry to get to Colorado Springs, so I didn't have time to attempt a switch.

They "guarantee" to try to give you the vehicle you want. If you think about it for a minute, you'll realize that they cannot give you a 100% guarantee.

But it works both ways...I requested a full size once, when I got there, they apologized and said they'd give me a Focus at a discounted rate. I strongly suggested that I needed a big car, and after a few minutes, I got a brandy new Lincoln Town Car


...at $29 per day...


I was kinda proud of that, kept the thing for a week...

Just an FYI about Hertz...

3 weks ago we rented a car at Hertz (RSW). First I went on the website and got a price for a lincoln/Cadillac. I got a great price so I called to reserve it...the price over the phone was almost double the agent explained to me that to get the price on line, you must reserve on line. I reserved on line and saved a ton of money. We got to the RSW hertz location and a brand new Lincoln was waiting for us. I went to put my papers in the visor and the previous renter's papers fell out he just returned it that morning. I took a look to see what he paid and I was shocked. he was a Hertz #1 Gold club member, had the car for 3 days (we had it for 5) and he paid $250.00 MORE than we did.And we were also returning it to Orlando. He also had the same insurance added as we did....It makes no sense to be a gold club member...just go on line, reserve a car and print out your confirmation. There is a list of cars which are available at every location, so you can see first hand what is available and what is not AND you also get the best price...actually it was the least expensive of all the car rentals.

Tip: try using the rate code LAST if you are within three weeks of your reservation. We twice received a full size (Philadelphia) for less than any competitor's price for a compact. If you are a AAA member, combine both CDP and Rate codes for additional savings, (CDP 16) - they have never asked for our AAA card either. Of course, always bring your printout to prove the rate - once they tried to change it, but I (very nicely) insisted they honor the reserved rate (they apologized and gave me a "premium" car with Sirius radio for my trouble).

I've never (in recent memory, and knock on wood) had a problem with Hertz. I've used them in the U S, in Europe and in Australia. Yeah, sometimes they don't have the specific car I wanted, but things happen. And I am a member of their #1 Gold Club.

I love the above mentioned idea that the guarantee is that they guarantee they will "try" to give you that car.
That's like going to Red Lobster and knowing they guarantee they will "try" to give you a good meal. Or flying standby on a plane and knowing they will guarantee to "try" to get you a seat. If they can't get you one, that who cares if they "tried" or not. The only important thing is the final result.

Annabel,

I have Hertz gold and can get the same discounted rates just by plugging the discount codes.

If you rented for a weekend, and the person before you had te car during th e week..they wold have paid a much higher daily rate.

I've been a Hertz Gold member for many years. I like Hertz because their cars tend to be newer and its very convenient at most airports to have your car and paperwork waiting for you when you arrive. No having to wait in line.

I've also never had a problem getting the class of car I wanted. Recently, I received a notice recently from Hertz that they are now guaranteeing you will get a specific make and model car you want at certain participating airport locations if you join there Hertz #1 club.

I also tend to look around for discounts when I am renting online. AAA and Costco discounts are usually quite good. You merely enter their CDP# and Rate Codes in the reservation form.

The only time I have had a problem with Hertz was renting at IAD. For some reason twice when I turned the car in the price on the receipt was higher than on my reservation confirmation. Rather than argue with them, I waited until I got home, emailed Hertz and both times got a response a day later saying the charges had been adjusted.