Hertz?'s - National is killing me

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

I've been trying all morning to improve my current rate with National and no luck. I have-$369-EA June 6 to June 18 and cannot get it any better using all the suggestions given here, especially you Gail, you seem very knowledgeable. Thank you. But I'm giving up on it.
I have Hertz now a Tarus and and then going to use a double class upgrade ent. coupon if any cars are available and I save about $50.00

I was wondering about Hertz, so here goes.

1-how much of pain is it to get to thier place

2-do they have a constantly running shuttle

3-are their cars in good shape

4-what would a double class upgraded car be

or
5-should I focus more on staying with a rental place in the airport

Thank you for any info and advice any of you may give

YO

 

[CarolA]

I use Hertz all the time.

Shuttle runs constantly and it is no big deal to get to and from the location. Shuttle at the airport does not leave until the next one has pulled up.

You can dump the family and the luggage, go get the car and come back to family and luggage for loading.

Cars are mainly Ford products. I used them for business which means I rent almost every week and have never had a problem.

A double upgrade would depend on what you started at, but I don't think you can upgrade above a full size. However, I always recommend booking the smallest you can live with. Upgrades are subject to cars being available and there are times in Orlando when there are NO cars.

 

[Esmerelda]

I used Hertz once about 3 years ago...no complaints here whatsoever...shuttle was easy to find....easy to catch....no long waits...people inside at counter were VERY nice..I even got a free double upgrade for no apparent reason..lol

happy planning,
Esmerelda

 

[safetymom]

I use Hertz all the time. Never had to wait for a shuttle. If you request an upgrade from a full size most of the time the best they will do is upgrade you to a Grand Marquis.

You are better off reserving a smaller car to get the upgrade. But can you live with a smaller car if no larger ones are available?

There is one great Shuttle bus driver. Captain Jack will keep you amused to the airport or back to the lot.

I would also sign up for the #1 Club and you can bypass the rental counter.

 

[curlyjbs]

Coach Yo:

I dont know if your still interested in national but I plugged in your dates and got this: $335.91 I used the We3dy with 5760339 and 10008615

Pick-up:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
06-JUNE-2004 09:00 AM

Return:
Orlando Intl Arpt, FL
18-JUNE-2004 09:00 AM

Rates - Time & Distance USD
Time & Distance 1 Variable @ 114.95 114.95
Time & Distance 1 Week @ 160.93 160.93
Unlimited Distance-time & Distance 0 Distance @ 0.00 0.00

Base Rate _____
275.88

Less Discounts:
Entertainment 2004 Book -20.00

SubTotal _____
255.88

Add Miscellaneous Charges
Frequent Flyer Service Charge 3.00

SubTotal _____
258.88

Add Surcharges & Taxes: (subject to change)
Concession Fee Recov Chrg 9.8 Pct 26.23
Fl Schrg/tire Bat Fee 2.05 Usd/dy 24.60
License Recoupment Fee .49 Usd/dy 5.88
State Tax (6.50%) 20.32

Total Estimate _____
$335.91


hth
curly

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

esnerelda and safetymom,
thank you for the supportive info, I feel better if I do switch.
curlyjbs, I'm gonna try to plug in that stuff. I fugure the We3dy goes in the producy code area.
Thanks, YO and wish me luck, (Is this where I should ask for pixie dust?)

 

[manning]

Are you a AAA member? If you are Hertz will give you a 10% discount and your spouse can drive without charging you the extra driver charge. Also if you use Diners Club charge card it has Full value primary rental car coverage.

The only complaint is sometimes they forget to clean the windows.

 

[safetymom]

AAA also has a special for a free tank of gas right now also. It doesn't raise the base rate either when you use it.

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

Go the Hertz website and find the place whre you plug in your AAA#. See if you get a better rate and also use the discount coupon in the Ent book.

Full size car in Pensaola, FL is $149 base rate for your time frame and Pensacola is always higher than Orlando airport.

herc.

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

Thank you all for the good words and advice.
curlyjbs, I tried your codes and got 400+, maybe I'm doing something wrong.
I haven't joined AAA yet, but planning to real soon. So I'll try that stuff, manning, safetymom, and hercamore, thanks for the info with hertz. Do you know if you can use AAA rates along with ENT. coupons or other things like that?
Thanks, YO

 

[safetymom]

Usually AAA beats all the other codes. You can't use multiple codes.

 

[d4est]

IF you are planning to go to Universal, hertz has a special:

There's nothing more exciting than a trip to Universal Orlando Resort. Unless, you're renting from Hertz, too. Simply reserve a weekly compact car, mid-size, full-size, or convertible car. Then, take advantage of a special Universal Orlando Bonus Pass and enjoy 5 days for the price of 2 at Universal Studios® and Universal's Islands of Adventure®, with non-stop nighttime entertainment* at Universal CityWalk®. It simply doesn't get better than that.

So, if you're planning A Vacation from the OrdinarySM hop on this extraordinary offer from Hertz and Universal Orlando. We'll put you on the fast track to the best vacation ever. Rates in participating Florida and Georgia locations available for pick-up through 5/26/04.

-To learn more about the Universal Bonus Pass, simply click the Universal banner on the Hertz Reservation Confirmation Page.

I hope this isn't repeat information!

 

[d4est]

here is the link if anyone is interested:
hertz special

click on weekend/weekly vacation, then scroll down to the Universal offer (just after AAA offer)

 

[Eeyore1954]

I use Hertz for work and leisure -- never had a problem with them. I've used the 1 car upgrade coupon from www.rentalcodes.com -- reserve a full-size and upgrade to a premium size car -- all the time. (Plus a 10 - 20% discount on the rate).

In Orlando they are off-site, but they have shuttles that run constantly. It's a fairly quick drive to/from their location.

 

[dvc guy]

Hertz is excellent. Never a wait for the shuttle and their cars and in excellent shape. Service is quick and I would say even with the short ride to the lot ,you will be on your way faster than with National.
Did you know the the Hertz site at MCO is the largest in the world. Got that fact from one of the drivers

 

[minniegidget]

Just a fyi. Souse needs to be an AAA member to be a free 2nd driver. Also have major cc in own name.

 

[inkkognito]

We use Priceline a lot, and although we usually get Avis or Alamo, we have gotten Hertz twice. I was apprehensive because they are off-site, but I needn't have worried. The shuttle is literally always there (I notice now, even when we aren't using them), so you can pretty much walk right out and board. I timed them last time we used them and we were in our car and driving out of the lot within 15 minutes, includng the shuttle ride. Granted, that was after midnight, but when we're used Alamo at the same time it's been 45 minutes to an hour. On one of our trips, they even upgraded us from economy to a RAV4! They are not too pushy with the insurance either. I wouldn't hesitate to use Hertz again.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mcnuss]

I use Hertz for business & pleasure, can't beat 'em, they're #1 for a reason. IMHO, their cars are newer and better maintained than National. Also, I prefer Ford cars. Got upgraded to a Volvo once, that was cool!

If you belong to BJ's they also have good discounts. I ran your dates using the BJ's code and got:

Approximate charges for the vehicle you selected:

Selected Vehicles
Full-Size / $127.49 USD -Weekly
Total Approx. Charges: $ 301.26 USD Rate Details

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

Thanks for all the help, I no longer feel like I'm gonna miss out if I don't do National EA

mcnuss,
I belong to Costco, I think they are similar to BJ's so I'll try to hunt down their promo # and plug it in. I think I would be happier knowing we have a full size car, DW and DD's don't understand packing light (5 bags for 2 nights easter weekend and thats not counting the little ones my DD's shoved in the back too) Thank you for your reply, you've helped me out before with advice, thanks, YO

I may also join AAA today and see what they come up with. I hurt my heel at DD's soccer practice last night so I now have the day off to go to Dr.s , just hoping it's just a bruise and nothing broken.

YO

 

[mcnuss]

Hey Coach,

You are ever so welcome. I belong to Costco too but have never picked up their car brochure. I wonder if you can find it on-line?

As for AAA, my last renewal was $80 for the two drivers so you'd have to really want AAA to justify the expense, since even with their discount, your savings are only going to be about $30-$40.

FYI -- My SIL & BIL had a full size last Oct., a Taurus I think, and they fit 3 kids (1 in a car seat!) , 1 stroller, 3 huge suitcases (never seen anything like it for 6 days...) and a bunch of small ones into that thing. The kids had the rollies under their feet, but they fit. Rather than take the chance with the upgrade coupons, can you imagine if they'd ended up with anything smaller?, I think they used the coupon that gave them cash off the weekly price.

Good luck with the foot today.

Did I tell you I am jealous of your trip?

Allison