Is Hertz Car Rental Any Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
Regardless of the typical issues that renters face, Hertz remains one of the largest car rental companies in North America and globally despite some smaller ones outperforming it on the customer satisfaction scale.
Is Hertz Car Rental Legit?
With the greatest number of locations among US car rentals, Hertz is a legit rental business, offering an extensive vehicle selection. However, the rates are at the higher end.
Is Hertz Car Rental Part of Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, National, or Thrifty?
Hertz isn’t part of Avis or Enterprise but rivals them in the car rental space, further strengthened by Hertz’s two other brands, Dollar and Thrifty.
Is Hertz Car Rental Reliable?
Car renters desire safe vehicles at attractive prices without hidden fees.
Although Hertz has one of the largest fleets and the most rental locations, its overall customer satisfaction is below-average, as evidenced by JD Power’s latest survey, making it less reliable than some smaller rental companies.
Still, regular Hertz customers who frequent specific locations have no reason to look for alternatives as common car rental problems exist across all companies.
Hertz Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
#1 Charges for Unauthorized Class Upgrades
Car rentals typically include “or equivalent” to a specific make and model in their offers.
Several customers had booked or prepaid for one vehicle class, only for Hertz to upgrade it to another, unbeknown to the customer.
This practice is shady as, although the car rental did not force an acceptance of the vehicle, most customers do not know if a vehicle falls within the definition of “or equivalent.”
While customers can get a downgrade when the pre-booked vehicle class is unavailable, an upgrade to a more expensive car without the customer’s express consent is the likelier issue.
Customers should note that any vehicle type change (e.g., from a car to an SUV, or vice versa) or vehicle size would typically constitute an upgrade (or a downgrade), and the rental rate difference will apply.
If you experience such upgrades or downgrades, always write on the rental contract that the make + model offered is equivalent to the specific make + model you reserved, plus the difference in charges (if applicable) before you accept the vehicle.
Should the rental counter decline the extra note on the contract, at least you know what you’re getting into.
#2 Per Day vs. Per Rental Rates
Less experienced customers usually miss the details when signing on the dotted line.
Extras that newbie renters typically sign up for unknowingly include insurance, car upgrades, toll, and fuel option.
Going one step further, the rental representative verbally quoted a rate for an add-on without specifying if the rate was for a day or the entire rental duration.
Although the rep isn’t wrong, technically, it is misleading, and customers can better inform themselves by always seeking clarification.
Plus, make sure that the written contract reflects what you clarified.
#3 Prepaid But No Car at Pickup
Numerous customers have experienced showing up at the scheduled pickup but have no car for their trip.
The holiday periods mean most car rentals experience a short supply of vehicles.
Although car rentals do encounter vehicle shortages during peak seasons, it is unfortunately common practice in the industry where rental companies allow overbooking, partly due to cancellations.
Customer options are limited to the other rental counters in the building or area, or they could opt for a rental with the Turo car-sharing app.
This US car rental comparison post has plenty more details.
#4 Late Refunds
Not getting a refund within a reasonable time is another common problem in the car rental industry.
Rental representatives usually quote one to two weeks for the refund to reach the payment method, but some rental companies and locations take up to a month.
It is a dishonest withholding of funds as banks typically only need a few working days to process a refund.
#5 Pricier Upsells
Like other car rentals, Hertz renters have reportedly experienced upsell attempts by sales representatives at the rental counters.
Needless to say, higher vehicle classes attract higher rates, and the rental company charged more than anticipated for the add-ons.
Renters had to endure long waits to dispute and reverse the charges.
Although some wary renters said NO to the upgrades and extras, the rental company still charged for those items as the devil is in the rental contract.
Hertz vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
Hertz vs. Alamo Car Rental
| HERTZ | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. |
While Avis has a bigger fleet and more rental locations, Alamo edges it with marginally lower rates and better consumer satisfaction, according to JD Power.
Still, their services are competitive with each other, making your rental decision deal- and location-dependent.
Hertz vs. Avis Car Rental
| HERTZ | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Hertz versus Avis is too close to call as both have expensive rates and enjoy a similar satisfaction level among renters.
However, Hertz edges Avis with a greater selection of vehicles and more locations in popular destinations.
Hertz vs. Budget Car Rental
| HERTZ | BUDGET | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 807/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. |
JD Power rated both below-average in its latest renter satisfaction study.
Still, Hertz betters Budget for car rentals with more locations, plus it earns a marginally higher trust among consumers.
You’re more likely to get a reasonable rental rate at Budget, however.
Hertz vs. Dollar Car Rental
| HERTZ | DOLLAR | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 786/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | Available at time of rental. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $13.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. $400 de-smoking fee. |
Dollar is part of Hertz, and the latter garnered more positive customer reviews than the former, making Hertz the preferred car rental.
That said, Hertz’s rental rates are usually pricier.
Hertz vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| HERTZ | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. |
Both are giants in the car rental industry, but Enterprise surpasses Hertz as the better car rental provider with higher renter satisfaction in recent years and a better booking experience on its website.
Hertz vs. Fox Car Rental
| HERTZ | FOX | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes, all vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Nil. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $10.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. Cleaning fee applies. |
Although Hertz isn’t the top car rental in North America, it has comparatively better service and more locations than Fox, making it the car rental of choice between the two.
Hertz vs. National Car Rental
| HERTZ | NATIONAL | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 852/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Pricey to Exorbitant. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $15/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $12-$13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. |
Hertz and National are some of the largest car rentals in North America, though the former has more locations in the US and globally (rpd).
Still, National outdoes Hertz as the better car rental, judging by the customer reviews on Consumer Affairs and JD Power’s annual satisfaction survey.
Plus, the reservation process on National’s website is the best of all car rentals.
Hertz vs. Payless Car Rental
| HERTZ | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Hertz is, by far, the better car rental to opt for than Payless, as it has considerably more locations for accessibility and one-way rentals and registered higher customer satisfaction across major review sites.
Payless’ rates may appear lower when you reserve online, but its customers have reported higher rental bills with hidden charges.
Hertz vs. Sixt Car Rental
| HERTZ | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. |
If you want lower rates, opt for Sixt over Hertz car rental, although you need to be careful that the rental contract you sign excludes add-ons you don’t want – verbally declining is often insufficient.
But if you can find attractive offers on Hertz, it is worth paying a little extra for a more reputable service – service quality is location-dependent, however.
Hertz vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| HERTZ | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Hertz and Thrifty have comparably mediocre customer satisfaction – not the worst – but the former surpasses the latter in rental locations, fleet size, and transparent pricing on its website.
Hertz vs. Turo Car Rental
| HERTZ | TURO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | 826/1000 | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Pricey. | Very low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | Yes, for most vehicles. | No. |
| Mileage Fee | NA. | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. |
| Additional Driver Fee | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. | No. |
| Under-25 Fee | $19/day per driver. | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | $13.99 | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Yes. | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent (rpd). Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. |
| Allow Towing? | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $400 cleaning fee. | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. |
Hertz’s rental rates are typically higher than the private offers on Turo.
Opt for Turo over Hertz if you want to rent atypical makes and models and don’t need unlimited mileage; you must read the reviews, however, to ensure the car owner has a good record of providing reliable services.
Hertz Car Rental FAQs:
Does Hertz Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Most Hertz rental cars come with unlimited mileage, regardless of the vehicle class.
Does Hertz Car Rental Charge for Mileage?
As unlimited mileage is the norm for Hertz rental cars, mileage-limited rentals will incur an extra charge for miles over the limit, which
Does Hertz Car Rental Allow Pets?
Although Hertz allows domestic pets to ride in the rental car, the company equips the vehicles with protection grills at no extra charge, separating the luggage area, dog, and passenger seats.
But still, the renter will incur a cleaning fee of up to $400 for damages, soiling, and pet hair in the cabin, so it’s best to keep the interior clean.
Does Hertz Car Rental Allow Towing?
Only specific Hertz rental cars with a towbar can tow, subject to the vehicle’s specified capacity.
Does Hertz Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
Most Hertz rental cars can go anywhere within the US.
Driving into Canada is generally permissible with prior notification, although it’s best to check with the specific rental location for details.
Only select rental vehicle classes and models from select Hertz rental locations can enter Mexico, subject to the purchase of the mandatory Mexico Insurance Policy.
Note that Mexican citizens cannot drive a US vehicle into Mexico and cannot buy Mexico Insurance.
Does Hertz Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
These Authorized Operators with Hertz Car Rental do not incur the additional driver fee and need not be present to sign the rental agreement:
- Renter’s spouse for rentals originating in California or Iowa.
- Renter’s domestic partner if the renter is a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member.
- Renter’s employer, employee, or co-worker on corporate accounts.
- Spouse or domestic partner of AAA (American Automobile Association) members.
- Companion to renters with driving disability.
Additional drivers not listed above (a.k.a. Additional Authorized Operator; AAO):
- Will pay a fee of $13.50/day, subject to a maximum of $189/rental per driver.
- Must be present to sign the rental agreement.
- Can drive for free if the AAO and renter are AAA members.
Additional Authorized Operators under 25 will also incur the location’s age differential fee.
What Is Hertz’s Cancellation Policy?
For Hertz “Pay Now” or prepaid reservations:
- Cancel within 24 hours of booking: no cancellation fee.
- Cancel more than 24 hours before pickup: refund prepaid amount, minus a $100 cancellation fee.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before pickup: refund prepaid amount, minus a $200 cancellation fee.
- No cancellation and no-show: full prepaid amount forfeited.
It costs nothing to cancel a “Pay Later” booking before the scheduled pickup time, but a no-show fee may apply if you cancel after the scheduled pickup time.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/hertz.html