Hertz? Avis? What is it?
Hertz? Avis? What is it?
everytime ive rented from hertz its been a disaster
i think enterprise is much cheaper, better customer service as well
A few years back Alamo and National merged (Alamo was geared toward the lesuire market, National business travel). The fleet is shared as are back-end employees. Only signage and uniforms on the front counter people are different. Enterprise (primary focus on repair shop rentals) in an effort to make a stronger airport impact has recently purchased that group and is combining systems. The question becomes will all three marques be consolidated into the Enterprise logo.
When Hertz was sold off by Ford about 4 years ago the new onwership allowed standards and quality to drop. They did cater to corporate travel that was willing to pay for quality, now they are just after market share. The Hertz Local Edition branding was off-airport and a way to go after Enterprise repair shop business.
Avis was purchased by CEDENT hotel chain but has since been split off as a stand-alone company. Many locations in that group are licensees. They are primed for purchase. Budget is owned by Avis.
Dollar Thrifty Group owns, you guessed it, both Dollar and Thrifty.
So you see...there are only four rental car companies. At any one time each was owned by a US auto manufacturer.
My favorite? Each as good locations and poor locations. Shop price.
I like Enterprise... I used them for years and rent a car 3 or 4 times a year. Haven't had any problems. All my rentals have been airport rentals. Don't know if that makes any difference.
We've always used Thrifty for several years and have collected premium membership. The way I see it, if a car is reliable and gets the job done on a trip then who cares what it looks like. A convertible Mustang or Taurus car will do.
these are the guys to use.....
I agree. I always shop price and 90% of the time I choose Alamo because of that. My employer has a contract with National, so when I travel for work, it's National.
Have rented cars all over the US and I have to say Dollar rental is great. Great service, clean cars, much cheaper rates then the other companies. I haven't had a problem with them once.
I've been using Enterprise for 12 years and have always gotten great service and reasonable rates in every city where I have rented.
I'm so extremely picky when it comes to car rentals. None car rental service seemed to do a good job until I tried https://iversta.com/location/car-rental-toronto-airport/ at the Toronto airport. They are very easy to find - easily walkable with luggage.
Once rented from a company called Green Motion in San Diego and got a smart car. The company was fine (just like every other company trying to get you to buy insurance you typically already have). The smart car was horrific. Mechanically speaking it was the worst vehicle I have ever driven. I encourage others to try everything once, but this is one thing people do not need to experience.
I rarely rent cars any more since most of my work travel involves going to a convention center and then being in that area so I typically Uber.
My first suggestion would be whatever company one uses, join its rewards program. The biggest reason is it often allows you to bypass the line at the desk and go straight to a car.
I used Hertz for a long time because my company had a deal with it and I could go straight to an assigned car. I kinda hated just going to a row and picking a car but now I like that more.
However, now I find Hertz to be the most expensive in every market. I have been using Avis more and more although two recent rentals were through Kayak and I had no idea who I was getting until I agreed to the price (and I chose to pay upfront to save money since I was not cancelling the trip).
Advantage has been hit or miss--once I got a car that was a fine sedan and the other time I got an older model that was huge.
mpj wrote:
I like Enterprise... I used them for years and rent a car 3 or 4 times a year. Haven't had any problems. All my rentals have been airport rentals. Don't know if that makes any difference.
If you need your hand held, then Enterprise...if not, National.
I rent from Hertz 3-4 times monthly. Easy and seamless.
I stopped using car rental companies because when I made a reservation, I got there and they had no cars. That's the point of a reservation, right? To keep the car there! I told them how it was ridiculous that they didn't hold a car for my reservation and how that is the most important part of the reservation. Anyone can TAKE a reservation.
I rent at least 12 times per year - usually need the car for at least 2 days. Enterprise is the best without a doubt. I’m in and out in no time, great cars, no hassles....emailed receipts etc
MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:
I stopped using car rental companies because when I made a reservation, I got there and they had no cars. That's the point of a reservation, right? To keep the car there! I told them how it was ridiculous that they didn't hold a car for my reservation and how that is the most important part of the reservation. Anyone can TAKE a reservation.
From my experience, Enterprise is the only company that honors your reservation. Others will just cancel your reservation if your flight is late (even if you call to let them know how late it will be). National's "take any car" policy is in reality "first come, first served" policy. The absolute worst is Hertz, followed by dollar/thrifty.
Zipcar. Live in NYC so I don't have a car, or more importantly car insurance. Zipcar makes it easy for me to not have to deal with figuring out what extra insurance I need, and it's just plain easy - no lines, just get to the lot and swipe my card. Yeah it's usually a little more money, but it's easy and you know what kind of car you're getting. Plus no last-minute looking for a gas station that won't rape you near the airport.
Pretty much all my trips are somewhere with zipar, if they don't have, i just kayak or whatever for the lowest price from one of the bigger companies i've actually heard of (no fox or crap like that)
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