Hertz pay now or Thrifty pay later?

[DisneyinPA]

I have a 7 passenger SUV booked for 8 days starting Feb 15th. I booked a great rate of $284 pay later with Thrifty but saw I can book with Hertz using my AAA discount for $309. I have reservations about renting from Thrifty but I can cancel at any time. I’d rather book with Hertz (which is a little higher quality company IMO) but the only down fall is I have to pay when I book which makes it nonrefundable. We plan on going but just nervous if something would happened and we wouldn’t go then I’m out $309. Any thoghts?

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree with you on Hertz vs Thrifty (would prefer Hertz). BUT, although you have all intentions on traveling, you don't know if weather, covid, or something else could interfere. I say staywth Thrifty and keep checking back on Hertz.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

No way would I do a pay it now vs pay later. Too many things can go wrong. I never opt for pay now on car rentals (or hotels). I'd rather pay a little more and know I can cancel.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you sure the "pay now" is nonrefundable? I thought the Hertz AAA rentals were refundable even if you take the prepay rate.

 

[k5xs]

I would avoid any non-refundable arrangement like the Covid.

 

[EACarlson]

Thrifty is owned by Hertz. The biggest difference between the two is that Hertz gets the new cars and Thrifty gets the ones that are a couple years old. I had a Nissan Altima two weeks ago that had 44000 miles on it from Thrifty, usually with Hertz it's less than 20000. I would double check that it is non-refundable, if it is I wouldn't book it. For $25 for 8 days I'd rather go with Hertz if it is refundable.

 

[Belle5]

I have lost a chunk of change over the past couple of years by doing pre-pay. I'm not saying I would never do pre-pay again, but it would have to be such a good deal that I could easily swallow the loss if things don't go my way.

 

[Evita_W]

I wouldn't do Hertz, they have had too many problems with people who rent from them getting arrested because the car had been reported as stolen, not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[sam_gordon]

I wouldn't do Hertz, they have had too many problems with people who rent from them getting arrested because the car had been reported as stolen, not worth the risk in my opinion.

FWIW, I just returned a Hertz rental today. No issues.