Calling any #1 Club Members. Here’s my recent experience…
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[li] I priced a rental (in Spain) via the Hertz website and was quoted €304.89[/li][li] For comparison I re-entered my requirements but used a Hertz #1 Club Gold membership number. The quotation zoomed up to €697.57[/li][/list]
Is that a typical thing to happen? I thought the idea was that Club Members got a discounted rate, not just flashing lights at check-in. Have I wasted my time joining?
That’s been my experience. They’re charging a premium for the convenience of not standing at rental counters, etc. I stopped using them for this reason.
Dear 666: I lust after your Clotted Cream. I belong to Gold Club and have a corporate rate identifier as part of my profile. If you priced one rate with, and the other without, a corporate rate that could be the difference. The corporate rate is not always chaper. There should be a check box someplace that says whether to always use the corporate rate or just look for the cheapest. Also make sure that you are comparing apples to apples: same size car, taxes, insurance waver, etc. Renting in the city vs at the airport also makes a big difference.
Whoa. Unless that car comes with a chauffeur and complementary champagne, that’s a pretty big premium.
<hijack> Just had a lump today with raspberries for dessert!</hijack>
Thanks to everyone for your answers so far. The magnitude of the price difference is what astounded me.
No, it probably isn’t that simple. Do you have a corporate ID number attached to your profile? If so, that probably won’t always get you the lowest rates. Most corporate rental car rates aren’t that good. The only times they can be good are when the location is in a high demand time.
I’m not too familar with Hertz. But, I spend way too much of my time working for Alamo/National over the past ten years.
You’re probably not paying extra for the #1 club services. You may just need to hunt around for the best rate and then attach your #1 club profile to that reservation.