Hertz Review

Hertz has a real scam going on with renewal and/or late return of their vehicles. 

We reserved a vehicle over the internet with Hertz for a daily rate of $17.99.  When we went to pick up the car, however, I realized that I had only reserved the car for one day, when we needed it for one day and four hours. 

I asked the woman at the counter what the late return would cost.  She was clearly avoiding the question, as she kept saying she would check. I had to ask three times - the last time after the transaction was complete.  It was $83.44! 

I called the Hertz national hotline.  The recording said that if I wanted to keep the car for an extra day, I could and would simply be charged the contractual amount.  I also called the local store, where I spoke with the manager.  They confirmed that, If I wanted to turn the car in, they could immediately rent me the same vehicle at their normal daily rate of $19.49, but if I wanted to keep the car, they would charge me $83.  No exceptions, no shame. 

The Hertz manager kept giving me some line about the critical distinction between a renewal and a new rental, but Hertz's real purpose was clear - to take advantage of people who don't check the renewal rate and assume, as with other car rentals, that it is the same as the regular daily rate.

We ended up going to the airport five hours before our flight boarded, and lost half a day out of a two day vacation.  I will never rent Hertz again, and suggest you don't either!