Massive Devaluation of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards 2019 With No Notice or Warning Whatsoever
“A heads up on the Hertz deal next week if you were going to cover it. In past years, this was an amazing deal and I purchased it several times. But Hertz just implemented (last day or two unannounced) one of the biggest devaluations I’ve ever seen (awards costs increased 50-67% across the board). The deal for next week is now completely inaccurate and misleading in its description (not their fault – Hertz did this completely underhandedly). As example, the 16,500 rewards now costs 25,000. The 13,200 reward doesn’t even exist as weekend rewards were eliminated. A lot of people try for that one but should be warned . . .”
Massive Devaluation of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards 2019 With No Notice or Warning Whatsoever
That warning was posted by David — who is a reader of The Gate — in the Comments section of this article pertaining to the Daily Getaways deal for Best Western earlier today.
These unannounced changes are in addition to the changes in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards which came into effect in January of 2019.
For your convenience in calculating value for yourself, here is a complete list of the rewards for which you can redeem your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards frequent renter loyalty program points if the destination of your car rental is in the United States — along with a comparison of the former reward redemptions:
| Daily Rentals |
Previous Standard Rewards
|
New Standard Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
Previous AnyDay Rewards
|
New AnyDay Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Free Rental Day |
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| 2 Free Rental Days |
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| 3 Free Rental Days |
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| 4 Free Rentals Days |
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| 1 Free Rental Day – One-Way |
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| 2 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 3 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 4 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| Specialty Vehicles 1 Free Rental Day |
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| Specialty Vehicles 2 Free Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 3 Free Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 4 Free Rental Days |
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| Weekly Rentals |
Previous Standard Rewards
|
New Standard Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
Previous AnyDay Rewards
|
New AnyDay Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Free Weekly Rental |
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| 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days |
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| 1 Free Weekly Rental – One Way |
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| Specialty Vehicles Free Weekly Rental |
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| Specialty Vehicles 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days |
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| 1 Free Weekly Rental – Hertz Prestige Collection Vehicles |
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| 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days – Hertz Prestige Collection Vehicles |
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| 1 Free Weekly Rental – Hertz Adrenaline Collection Vehicles |
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| 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days – Hertz Adrenaline Vehicles |
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| 1 Free Weekly Rental – Hertz Green Traveler Collection Vehicles |
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| 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days – Hertz Green Traveler Collection Vehicles |
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| One Way Rentals |
Previous Standard Rewards
|
New Standard Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
Previous AnyDay Rewards
|
New AnyDay Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Free Rental Day – One-Way |
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| 2 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 3 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 4 Free Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 1 Free Weekend Rental Day – One-Way |
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| 2 Free Weekend Rental Days – One-Way |
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| 1 Free Weekend Rental – One Way (Max. 4 Days) |
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| 1 Free Weekly Rental – One Way |
|
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| Specialty Cars |
Previous Standard Rewards
|
New Standard Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
Previous AnyDay Rewards
|
New AnyDay Rewards
|
Percent Increase
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Vehicles 1 Free Rental Day |
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| Specialty Vehicles 2 Free Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 3 Free Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 4 Free Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 1 Free Weekend Rental Day |
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| Specialty Vehicles 2 Free Weekend Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles 3 Free Weekend Rental Day |
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| Specialty Vehicles 4 Free Weekend Rental Days |
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| Specialty Vehicles Free Weekly Rental |
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| Specialty Vehicles 2 Free Weeks of 8-14 Days |
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New to Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
The following awards were not initially listed on the suddenly former redemption charts — although using points for discounts was introduced on Friday, November 30, 2018:
| Use Points for Discounts | Standard Rewards | AnyDay Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| $5.00 discount |
|
200
|
| $7.50 discount |
|
300
|
| $12.00 discount |
|
400
|
| $20.00 discount |
|
500
|
| $30.00 discount |
|
600
|
| $180.00 discount — New |
|
3,600
|
Summary
Weekend awards have apparently been suddenly wiped off of the charts — surmising that all former weekend awards are now available at standard weekday redemption rates.
Although technically not illegal, implementing these changes to significantly devalue the Gold Plus Rewards program overall without an advance warning — or any notice at all, for that matter — is downright sneaky and unethical of Hertz in what I consider one of the worst devaluations of a frequent travel loyalty program in recent memory.
Thank you for the warning, David. I appreciate it.
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
As requested by Pang — who is a reader of The Gate — listed below are the former awards in countries other than the United States:
I have to disagree with your statement that this is not illegal. While technically true, when held in conjunction with the daily get aways offer, as well as there past offers, do constitute false advertising. As they have had this offering for multiple years, with no conditional expiration and an explicit statement of purpose, there can be little argument of that fact.
I figured this was coming based on the increase in bonus points benefits for both 5-star and president’s circle that occurred last year (5-start went from 10 to 25% bonus and PC went from 25 to 50% bonus). Agree it was back-handed not giving notice and at least giving customers a chance to use accumulated points at the former redemption rate.
What about other regions, are they also impacted? Also it is hard to find their current blackout days calendar on their web page (sometimes google can find the previous year calendar). Not sure if they expend their blackout day or not. 🙁
I added the other regions after the conclusion of the article for posterity, Pang – but upon initial glance, they all seem to be the same as the United States.
I intend to look them over and see if there are any differences…
Boycott Hertz.
Will they honor existing redemptions for future reservations at the previous rate?
@Ken I would have thought so since they are applied as promotion codes and the rewards are deducted at the time of booking.
Another gimmick is that Hertz invites you to upload their app “Enjoy a free day¶ when you download the new Hertz app” and when you do the actual off is a free day when you “book a rental for five or more days.”!!!
It used to be good when United awarded 2,750 UA miles per rental – that gravy train is long gone and now this huge devaluation!
I’m Presidents Circle and just lost 5,000 points due to the 18 month rule. Now this. Time to rethink my rental car vendor.
That Hurts! And it Sux!
When I was looking for UK redemption rates today, I couldn’t even find UK in the list. Has Hertz implemented its own Brexit early?