Hertz
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Hertz is generally regarded as a reputable and reliable international rental brand, though user sentiment is split between those who value its convenience and those who have faced billing disputes. While many users report seamless experiences with features like skipping the rental line, others highlight issues with undisclosed fees and aggressive damage claims.
Pros
- Widely available at major international airports and hubs.
- Allows rentals for drivers starting at age 20.
- Offers 'skip the line' options that streamline the pickup process.
- Often compatible with primary rental insurance provided by credit cards, potentially lowering total costs.
- Used car sales division is frequently cited for easy, smooth transactions.
Cons
- Reports of undisclosed or 'slimy' fees, such as high charges for navigation or incorrect border-crossing penalties.
- Occasional inventory shortages where reservations are not honored at high-traffic hubs.
- Mixed quality in the used car sales inventory, with some reports of dirty interiors or minor broken components.
- History of moving high-mileage vehicles to budget sub-brands like Dollar and Thrifty to extend fleet life.
Caveats
- Disputes over vehicle damage can occur; some users report being charged for pre-existing issues or damage they did not cause.
- The 7-day warranty on used car purchases may be strictly enforced even if major issues arise immediately after it expires.
- While reputable, the company has faced past negative PR regarding specific customer service failures.
Best for
- International travelers seeking a familiar, major brand.
- Younger renters (ages 20-24) who may be excluded by other agencies.
- Renters with credit cards that provide primary insurance coverage.
Avoid if
- You are highly sensitive to potential hidden fees or billing disputes.
- You require a guaranteed vehicle at high-volume hubs during peak travel times without a backup plan.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from a window between January 2025 and March 2026, with a median source age of approximately 216 days.
Sentiment
24 positive (57%) · 4 mixed (10%) · 14 negative (33%)
Trust + time weighted score: +23% · raw score 24%
What redditors said (10 of 42)
I’ve rented from Hertz for about 15 years and it’s almost always a breeze. The only issue I ever had was I returned a car and a week later they called to tell me about some damage that I didn’t do and I told them I didn’t do it and somehow that was that.
I had Hertz try to charge me for going from Germany to Austria when in fact I was just really close to the border.
Corporate Hertz pretty much remains the most reputable, reliable car rental company in the world.
I use RentalCar.com and like them better than Hertz even though I’ve been a Hertz Gold member for many years.
Except you want to rent from a company where you can get someone on the phone that speaks English (assuming you don't speak Italian). Like Hertz or AutoEurope.
Hertz will rent starting at age 20.
You can skip the line with Hertz and they'll tell you that the spouse is allowed to drive. This is a California law, not a rental company policy.
the penalty if you do not declare it in advance is typically many times greater (Hertz’s is 600 Euro, for example, automatically/immediately charged to your card)
Hertz is the king of slimy business practices.
Hertz was one of the few rental car agencies that didn't require additional insurance for the vehicle since my credit card provided primary rental insurance. I also got a flat tire on my trip (very common in CR) and they patched it up at no cost. They may cost slightly more upfront, but they ended up being cheaper in the end since I didn't have to pay for additional insurance. I'd pay a little extra knowing it's also a reputable rental agency and not some mom and pop agency.
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