Using Aeroplan for Hertz Rental Car?

[FayeW]

I have some Aeroplan points that I will probably never use for flights, so I am looking for other options to spend them. I got a quote for a Hertz Rental Car for 9 days using 27000 points/miles.

Has anyone rented from Hertz in Orlando using Aeroplan? We usually use our Mastercard for the rental, as it includes insurance. Additionally, we are covered with our own car insurance. If I used Hertz with Aeroplan, could I pay cash to add insurance if I wanted to?

I am still keeping my eye out for good rental rates for Dec. If I can get it cheap enough I will pay cash and save my aeroplan for hotel or something sometime in the future. Right now, even with factoring in $1. value per aeroplan mile, it is "cheaper" to use my points than pay cash.

Is this a good use of my points or is renting with aeroplan more trouble than it's worth?

 

[calgarygary]

Unless there has been a change, Hertz is offsite at MCO and for that reason alone, I would not use your points.

 

[Northstar]

Unless there has been a change, Hertz is offsite at MCO and for that reason alone, I would not use your points.

OP, I can't answer your question about whether it's the best use of your Aeroplan points, but I have always ended up using Hertz when renting at MCO... it's offsite but quite close by, and the free shuttle bus is fast and frequent. I figure it usually adds maybe 30 minutes max from luggage pickup to getting into the car. I wouldn't rule it out for that reason, unless you've got a ton of luggage and small kids to transport.

 

[FayeW]

Thanks. I did some more research after I posted and found that out as well. I decided to book with Avis which I believe IS at the terminal. It cost me $28500 points, but it is a Chev Cobalt which is our preferred rental (thinking about buying one so we like to rent it when we can to "try before we buy").

I have reserved the car, but can cancel up to the day before if I get a cash deal I can't pass up.

 

[calgarygary]

Thanks. I did some more research after I posted and found that out as well. I decided to book with Avis which I believe IS at the terminal. It cost me $28500 points, but it is a Chev Cobalt which is our preferred rental (thinking about buying one so we like to rent it when we can to "try before we buy").

I have reserved the car, but can cancel up to the day before if I get a cash deal I can't pass up.

Well worth spending the extra 1500 miles.