irishswampyankee

Does anyone know if there is a time limit on the "pay now" rental car discount with Hertz and, if so, what the time limit is? I am assuming that they wouldn't offer the discount as close as a day or 2 before pick up and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this. I will call them but sometimes I don't have total confidence that the person on the phone is accurate. Thanks, isy

happytrailstoyou

I filled out the form for tomorrow (November 21) at LAX and the opportunity to "pay now" came up. However, I wouldn't use this option because I know I can get a much better deal with Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise and others without paying now.

I will call them but sometimes I don't have total confidence that the person on the phone is accurate.

Good point. I agree. Anyway, there are much better deals to be had. Go to www.carrentals.com to find out where the good deals are and then book directly with the rental company.

HTTY

irishswampyankee

Thanks, HTTY. Actually, the deal I'm getting with Hertz is the best I've found on any site with an established company. I've heard too many horror stories about Fox, Payless and Advantage to use them even though they are substantially cheaper. I've been checking several sites for about 3 mos now. I get my AAA discount and no charge for my DH as an additional driver bcs I belong to their #1 Gold Club. I did call them yesterday with my question but the agent couldn't or wouldn't answer it. If I pay now, I'll be unable to cancel. However, I do have trip ins should we get hurt or ill which would cover it but if I just find a better deal, I wouldn't be able to change. Think I'll wait until about 1 week prior and try for the "pay now" discount which is about $200 on my 6 week rental.

LindainOhio

Be sure to join any of the car rental loyalty programs you may be interested in using. We have gotten better rates lately from email specials sent by the rental agencies. I often use carrrentals.com but the car rental deals sent to my email address have recently been lower. I have changed companies a week before we left on our last 2 trips when better deals were emailed to me.

happytrailstoyou

I used to use Hertz only but in the past few years I have been completely satisfied with Thrifty, Dollar, and Enterprise using, some times, deals I have found on line rather than my AAA discount.

HTTY

carrentaltips

I checked on Hertz.com... they didn't have any definitive time limit for the pay now offers. They said they were "subject to availability".

Also stated:

"If a prepaid reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the pickup time, a $25 cancellation fee will be assessed. If the prepaid reservation is cancelled within 24 hours before the pickup time, a $50 fee will be assessed. If the customer does not cancel the reservation prior to the pick-up time and the rental vehicle is not picked up on the rental date, the entire prepaid amount will be forfeited. "