I will be renting a car for 4 days in July, picking it up in La Spezia in the morning of the 1st day and turning it in late in the afternoon of the 4th day in Orvieto. I will be using Hertz rewards points, and here is where it gets complicated. Using my points, I can get one free day and pay out of pocket for the remaining 3 days. Alternately, using points I can get one free week (consisting of a minimum of 5 days). I have enough points for the one free week, but will only need the car for 4 days. My thinking is that I will cash in my points to get the free week and avoiding any out of pocket costs. I would then turn in my car in Orvieto a day early. Is there any reason to think this would be a problem? Will there be any issues at the Orvieto Hertz office when I try to turn in my car a day early?
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
There should be no problem returning it early.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Yes, it could be a problem. If you choose the weekly rate and then turn the car back within less than 5 days, rental companies will often re-calculate the rental at the daily rate.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
Not on points - they will deduct the week's worth of points from your account and the rental will be set for that term. Just return it early - it is done frequently as the weekly rate is much better than the daily for 4 or more days.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
OK, I buy that explanation.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
The world of travel points has many ins & outs!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
Hertz in Orvieto is just across the street from the train station, and it's a very popular drop off and pick up point for those going into and coming out of Rome. It's just a 70 minute train ride into Rome Termini train station. It's also a great city to stay in.
Posted by
west Chester, PA
372 posts
steve
I would definitely call Hertz and confirm this reservation drop off in Orvieto. Last may, we had rented a car through Hertz (3rd or fourth time we've done this without any issues), I called Hertz to confirm everything 4 months out and then again 2 weeks out. They informed me that they closed the Orvieto office for an indefinite amount of time...I had a mini van rented there and no one had called me or emailed me (they had all the correct contact info as well as my credit card number) prior to that conversation. I was in a bind, but ended up renting from Avis without any issues. just a thought.
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
I'd be real careful of using points and then dropping a day early-Hertz is an agent in Italy not operate by Hertz corporate, so don't expect the same paractices as in the U.S.
Posted by
OP
Brookfield, IL
35 posts
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I am going to go ahead and use points for the whole week and just turn in my car a day early and hope for the best. It will cost me around $250 using the one free day option and only $40 using the free week option, it just doesn't make sense to spend the extra money if I don't have to. Talking with Hertz was no help in making my decision, but I did get confirmation that the Hertz office at Orvieto is open.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
There is information about using Hertz points in Europe on the Hertz Rewards site - it lists the conditions & participating countries.
"Gold Plus Rewards offers are void where prohibited by law. Gold Plus Rewards Points *will not be refunded in the event of no shows, early vehicle returns** or reservation cancellation requests, unless the rental is cancelled with at least twenty-four hours prior notice to the rental pick up time shown on the reservation. Gold Plus Rewards Points, frequent traveler miles or points and Gold Plus Rewards Rentals are not exchangeable, refundable or redeemable for cash or credit under any circumstance. Tax liabilities arising from the Program are the sole responsibility of the member."*
I am sure OP knows there will be no refund of points for early return.