Hertz - Hire cost changing after booking?

[Mal]

A couple of months ago, I reserved a car with Hertz. The confirmation I received estimated the rental at around $85 (including Max Pkg).

I went and checked on the booking tonight, and the estimated cost has increased to $105.

I realise they have the standard disclaimer of:

"Approximate rental charges are based on available information at the time of reservation. Additional fees or surcharges may be applied at time of rental. "

It appears that a benefit of a CDP I used has been removed, which bumped up the price.

Any experiences with this? I presume they'll want me to pay the $105, but wondering if there is any point in arguing using the email I have which estimated the cost as a lot less.

I'm tempted just to cancel and pay for the taxi rides instead!

[Leumas]

Have you tried getting another quote and use the same CDP? If it works out, just cancel your original booking?

[Mal]

Have you tried getting another quote and use the same CDP? If it works out, just cancel your original booking?

Nah tried that last night with all the CDP's I can legitimately use. Each were still coming out at the $105ish mark.

[clifford]

If you made a booking, got a (firm) quote, and didn't change anything, Hertz is obliged (expected) to honour it.

The fact that rates change over time is irrelevant.

Or have I missed something which materially affects all of this?

(and I have been #1 Club Gold for more years than I care to think about).

[tuapekastar]

"Approximate rental charges are based on available information at the time of reservation. Additional fees or surcharges may be applied at time of rental. "

Has never happened to me, though I don't rent all that often. It does say 'at time of rental' where clearly this cost has increased prior to that (could interpret this a number of ways I guess). If you can be bothered (and I can understand if you can't) I'd ring 'em and challenge the increase. If faced with loss of a booking they may accede to your request.

[MelUser]

A friend of mine had a similar problem. In his view it was the #1 Gold club overriding the benefits of the CDP.

He now books using CDPs but makes no mention of the #1 Club GOld. WHen he turns up at the airport he goes straight to the #1 Gold Club queue and flashes his card and is served instantly rather than waiting with the rest of us plebs and still gets his CDPs discounts!

[Dave Noble]

A friend of mine had a similar problem. In his view it was the #1 Gold club overriding the benefits of the CDP.
!

My experience is that the issue with Gold number in vs no number in is caused by the setting of preferences in the profile

e.g. if I make a booking in the UK, since my profile states no additional stuff whatsoever, I can get quoted a v high rate whilst if not logged in cheap rates may be shown. The problem occurs there since the cheap rates in UK include CDW and this comflicts with the no-CDP setting and so does not show up even though it is cheaper.

If I set the profile to allow CDW coverage, then the cheap rate appears

The other situation I have found is that if booking in Australia rates can vary depending on whether a rate which is for those who do not reside in Australia is quoted

These days I have no issues since my CDP number doesn't get screwed over with these issues

Dave

[MelUser]

I have found that Australian companies' CDPs give good rates in Australia but when used for overseas rentals they produce higher than rack rate (ie no CDP) rentals. This is even taking into account CDW excess etc.

[Dave Noble]

I have found that Australian companies' CDPs give good rates in Australia but when used for overseas rentals they produce higher than rack rate (ie no CDP) rentals. This is even taking into account CDW excess etc.

Ahhh. Fortunately I have a CDP for one of Hertz's worldwide largest customers so it gives great rates all over

Dave

[Mal]

ok, some more information about what transpired. Rental was today, and total cost was about $91. Don't know why the website was quoting my booking as $105ish when I checked my booking. Must be a bug on the new Hertz Website.

Original Booking:

CDP Discount Plan: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Rate is as quoted
Base Amount:
Day: 1 Day at 39.0 AUD
INCLUSIVE ITEMS: Vehicle registration recovery
ADDITIONAL ITEMS (included in Approximate Total Charges):

TAX: 10.00 %
AIRPORT CONCESSION FEE RECOVERY: 16.00 %
ADMIN RECOVERY: 3.00 %
MAXIMUM COVER:: 25.09 AUD
Total Approx. Charges: 83.89

Invoice:

1 Day at 39.0 AUD gc
Maximum Cover: 28.90g
Administrative Recovery: 2.19gc
Vehicle Registration Recovery: 4.99 gc
Airport Concession Fee Recovery: 7.39g
GST10%: 8.25
Total Charge: $90.72
g - subject to GST
c - Subject to Concession Fee

So, the difference was only $7 which I can handle. I think Hertz may have done something dodgy though - the $39/day rate I was quoted seems to have originally included Vehicle Registration Recovery ($4.99+GST+Airport Concession Fee recovery), but that was seperately charged. The other few $ difference is because MaxPkg increased $3+GST, but I accept that as a legitimate change).