[Damien]

As well as comparing the different companies, you should also compare the different promotions on offer.

Any promotional discount seems to come off the full rate, so I have found that the standard rate on the day of booking is often cheaper than the promotional rate.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by markis10

JohnK, maybe worth giving the companies a ring and seeing if they will set up a rate plan with a $3000 excess, if you are covered by insurance for that amount then it makes no sense to go lower as I am sure its factored into the rates.

Normally to reduce the excess they ask you to pay an extra $20-$30/day and this is on top of the rental cost quoted. I don't pay this excess amount to the hire car companies anymore.

I don't hire a car enough times or for great length of time to worry about it. I am happy if I am able to get a Hyundai Getz from any rental company for 4 days for ~$175 and pay the $25 travel insurance. It means that the rental comes out to ~$50/day.

[Robert Barlow]

I agree with Mal's earlier comment about Hertz No 1 Gold membership about speed of processing. Via QF Holidays, I had booked a car through Hertz from Kahului (Maui, HI). Too late I realised that somehow I should have attached my Hertz No 1 Gold Number to the booking. I tried through Hertz but this didn't happen. When I arrived at Kahului on 5th July, the queue (in LOTFAP = line) at the Hertz counter was massive. I walked over to the No1 Gold counter, produced my card, was given an upgrade to a Pontiac Grand Prix, no paperwork and when I checked my QFF page yesterday, there were the points (albeit not many ~400+). The convenience is terrific and there is no cost to belong.

[rosesplus]

Originally Posted by JohnK

I don't know anything about Hertz Gold or 5* but one thing I do know is that in Australia Hertz is one of the most expensive and I have never hired from them. It is fine if your company pays but Hertz will not be getting any of my hard earned money soon enough unless all other companies have run out of hire cars.

My last 2 rentals with Hertz in SYD were $29p/day both dropping off at a different location to pick up. That rate the free upgrades and the easy pick up will keep me with Hertz. Maybe you need to change the CDP code your using (don't use the QF code).

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by rosesplus

Maybe you need to change the CDP code your using (don't use the QF code).

To what? I do not have a CDP that I could access! And I am not one of those people that would use someone else's CDP.

Good luck to all those people that get good rates from any car rental company because of corporate discounts.

[rosesplus]

Originally Posted by JohnK

To what? I do not have a CDP that I could access! And I am not one of those people that would use someone else's CDP.

Good luck to all those people that get good rates from any car rental company because of corporate discounts.

You should have a look at the Hertz forum on FT, lot's of useful info.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by JohnK

I am looking at 4 days car hire in smallest available car in HBA mid-November arriving on a Saturday afternoon and departing Wednesday morning.

Budget Group X Hyundai Getz $175.46
Thrifty Economy Hyundai Getz $210.98
Hertz Toyota Echo $250.91
Avis Group X Hyundai Getz $288.00

Decision appears very simple at this stage. I am surprised that Avis is showing very expensive rate. Will compare again about 1 month before trip and then compare again about 2 weeks before trip and make booking based on cheapest hire car.

:wipes egg off face:

Availability can change on a daily basis but I didn't think prices can vary this much in 4 months. I have booked a car for this weekend with Hertz! Clearly the cheapest and probably a better car as well.

Hertz Toyota Echo ~$170.00
Avis Group X Hyundai Getz ~$190.00
Thrifty Economy Hyundai Getz ~$210.00
Europcar Economy ~$240.00
Budget Group X Hyundai Getz ~$270.00