There is no doubt that a car rental experience can make or break your trip’s value. Yes, if you are planning a holiday or business trip soon, know that having a car on rent is a fruitful part of this journey. However, if your car rental company fails to provide you with amazing perks or customer support, you may feel disappointed by the process.
But with so many options, it is understandable to get overwhelmed. Top companies like Avis and Hertz offer more or less the same benefits. So, which one should you pick?
Get in as we take this Avis vs Hertz battle seriously. Read the discourse to find similarities and differences between these two successful services to finally pick a winner.
Avis and Hertz Overview
As the two top rental car companies running their businesses globally, Avis and Hertz have made the car rental industry pretty successful. While the ventures have different stories, they work on a similar goal, which is to elevate the car renting experience of their customers.
To know more about these global car rental services, let’s look into their stories in detail.
Avis Car Rental
As a major player in the car rental industry, Avis is part of the Avis Budget Group. It was founded in 1946 by a man named Warren Avis. The primary aim for starting this venture was to rent out different cars at varying airport locations.
It was a revolutionary venture as Avis was the first one of its kind then. With a slow yet gradual rise in air travel, the idea picked momentum and became quite popular within a short time.
The car rental service grew internationally by the 1950s, making waves as a premium company in countries like the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The infamous campaign, We Try Harder, helped the company beat its competitors and become a huge success globally.
In the 2000s, the company expanded its operations by providing products and services related to car rentals. For instance, it started offering GPS-sharing and online reservations. The venture also introduced its loyalty program and various travel solutions to maintain its competitive edge over the rest.
Today, Avis is a popular name and operates in around 165 countries. It has a vast network of rental locations, serving both business and leisure travelers successfully. It offers premium and economy cars for rent purposes, so you can pick an option that fits your budget.
Hertz Car Rental
Hertz, also known as Hertz Global Holdings Inc., is one of the oldest car rental ventures. The company was founded by Walter L. Jacobs and started off as a small operational setup with just a few Model T Ford cars.
In 1923, the company got its new owner, John Hertz, who made this venture a global success. John was already an established businessman who helped expand Hertz like no other.
The company gained popularity courtesy of its innovative technology and approach. For instance, it was one of the first ventures to offer one-way rentals. It allowed its customers to pick a car on rent from one city and drop it off in another.
Hertz offered flexibility, which made its expansion smooth and easy. Plus, marketing series like Let Hertz Put You in the Driver’s Seat contributed to its global success, putting Hertz on the top venture list.
With time, Hertz also launched its loyalty program, which helped it grab more customers. It was also one of the companies that adapted to GPS technology earlier than many, allowing travelers like you to navigate new locations without getting lost.
Hertz has also faced its fair share of challenges. For instance, it filed for bankruptcy in 2020 but emerged from it soon in 2021.
Do you know what helped Hertz to achieve that? The venture put all its focus on modernizing its car fleet by bringing in electric vehicles to rent. Also, it introduced innovative approaches to automate the customer experience.
Today, Hertz is a household name. This recognizable business runs successfully in around 150 locations worldwide. Plus, it has a large fleet of vehicles for renting purposes to help meet the needs of the masses.
However, unlike Avis, Hertz primarily focuses on renting luxury vehicles over standard ones. This is why you may find Hertz’s renting rates to be higher than Avis’s.
Both companies run parallel when it comes to success and profitability. This makes it harder to choose one over the other. However, there are a few differences that may guide you to pick an option.
Continue reading to find these in detail.
Avis vs Hertz Comparison
Here are some factors to evaluate when comparing Avis with Hertz. While both follow a similar business model, they have some major differences that shouldn’t be ignored.
Vehicle Selection and Fleet Size
Let’s see how Hertz and Avis are different in this area.
Hertz
Hertz has a large vehicle selection and fleet size. It has more than 700,000 vehicles, ready to go out for renting purposes. While it mostly focuses on renting luxury vehicles, electric cars, and trucks, you may find a few economy cars as well.
The rental company offers luxury car rental services under a group called the Hertz Dream Collection. This group holds luxury vehicles from brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. Hertz also has a Tesla fleet with electric cars as part of its eco-friendly car rental approach.
Hertz has a separate Green Collection with eco-friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles. The larger focus of the company on luxury and electric cars makes Hertz pricier than most other similar car rental ventures.
Avis
Avis, although smaller than Hertz, still has a fleet of more than 600,000 vehicles. You will find a variety of vehicles, but most importantly, there is a huge collection of economy cars available. Although Avis is working towards introducing electric cars, the fleet currently is still smaller than that of Hertz.
When it comes to the compact range of vehicles, you will find a large variety. Avis also has premium and luxury cars available under its Avis Select Series. This group covers high-performing cars such as Audis, BMWs, and Mercedes Benz.
In addition to all of the above, Avis has customizable options available. These cars fall under the Avis Flex category and are available for long-term rentals. Avis’ fuel-efficient vehicles are also available for anyone looking for an eco-friendly option.
You can also use Avis’ rental services to rent trucks. The Budget Truck Rental division is built for this purpose.
Pricing and Rental Rates
As we have already mentioned, Hertz takes the lead when it comes to its premium fleet. This is why Hertz’s base rental rates are slightly higher than those of Avis. Hertz has its Dream Collection and other luxury cars that demand higher rental rates.
Avis has a huge economy and compact car section. These cars are cheaper to rent and are much more economical for the masses.
That said, both Hertz and Avis offer discounts now and then to meet your budget requirements.
Avis discounts on packages for long rentals and business travels. Hertz special offers are also pretty active at least three times a year.
These car rental deals are designed to help everyone rent their desired vehicles with ease. Hertz offers corporate discounts, AAA deals, and military discounts to its customers. You can also get exclusive discounts through promotions via credit card partnerships.
Avis also has multiple partner deals and promotional events to help consumers get massive discounts on their rented rates. If you are an Avis Preferred member, you get to be a part of exclusive offers to make your rental purchases massively affordable.
Both Avis and Hertz have additional charges for an extra driver, insurance, and products like car seats and GPS. However, in this area again, Hertz charges more than Avis.
Therefore, pick Avis over Hertz if you are on a tight travel budget.
Coverage and Insurance Options
In the coverage and insurance options department, Hertz and Avis are quite the same. Hertz offers Loss Damage Waiver car rental insurance. It helps cover the damage or theft of the rented car. The cost of this insurance may differ by location. However, typically, Hertz charges anywhere between $10-$30 per day.
Loss Damage Waiver is also a part of Avis insurance options. The price is almost the same as Hertz, between $10 and $30, depending on your location and vehicle type.
Hertz protection plans offer Supplemental Liability Insurance. This one is designed to cover up to $1 million for all third-party claims. Avis offers Additional Liability Insurance, similar to Supplemental Liability Insurance, which is available for $12 to $20 per day.
Hertz also offers special coverage for its premium vehicles. However, there are coverage limits and higher add-on costs for some options. Similarly, Avis has higher insurance charges for its luxury fleet, which is totally understandable.
Both rental companies provide roadside assistance. This is an optional service that is available to cover incidents like tire repairs, towing, and fuel delivery. The cost for this service is usually between $5 to $8.
Rental Locations and Convenience
Both Hertz and Avis are very strategic about their rental locations. Since each is majorly an airport car rental, they have a strong presence at many airports globally.
Avis locations often cover both urban and suburban areas. The company has offices in downtown areas, tourist hotspots, and business districts. The availability of the Avis app makes the company’s rental services accessible to the masses.
Hertz locations are also quite close to that of Avis. The company has an extensive network, especially in big cities and towns. The company also offers 24/7 service to help users rent cars at any part of the day. This makes the company easily approachable and useful.
Loyalty Programs and Rewards
You are lucky because both Hertz and Avis offer excellent loyalty programs for new and retained customers. These car rental loyalty programs not only help you get discounts or gain access to exclusive offers but also prove helpful in exploring the best services these ventures have to offer.
Hertz
The name of the Hertz loyalty program is Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This one has three membership tiers: Gold, Five Star, and President’s Circle. You can join the Gold tier for free and experience benefits like skip-the-counter, online check-in, and point earnings.
To join the Five Star tier, you must have spent $1500 per year or booked seven rentals at least with Hertz. Similarly, the President’s Circle also requires you to cross 15 rentals or spend at least $3000 towards Hertz’s services.
If you do, you can access free upgrades and guaranteed vehicle availability at peak days.
Avis Preferred benefits are no less. Avis Preferred loyalty program also comes with three tiers: Preferred, Preferred Plus and President’s Circle. You can join the Preferred membership for free, but for Preferred Plus, you can only qualify for 12 rentals or $5,000 in spending per year.
You can only join the President’s Circle with an invite.
Some of the general benefits of an Avis Preferred program are:
- Skip the Counter
- Self-service kiosks
- Free upgrades
- Mobile application integration
- Easy point earning and redemption
Both programs are competitive and are mostly designed for regular travelers. If you are one, you may want to join any of the two.
Credit Card Rental Benefits
Some credit cards offer rental car benefits, including insurance coverage, discounts, and rewards.
Avis and Hertz also partner with several credit card companies to offer exclusive benefits to cardholders. The perks you get depend on the type of card you use. However, general benefits include:
- Rental car insurance
- Discounts
- Rewards
For your own advantage, consider using a credit card with rental car benefits to save money and earn rewards. Be sure to read the fine print and understand the terms of your credit card’s rental car benefits.
Some of these cards have certain exclusions or limitations. For instance, many cards don’t cover luxury or exotic vehicles. Their length of rental coverage may also be limited to 30 days only.
Similarly, some credit cards don’t offer benefits in certain countries. They may also exclude coverage for vehicles like vans and trucks.
Customer Support
These car rental companies can’t succeed without offering top-notch customer support services. This is why both Avis and Hertz take this department seriously.
Hertz customer support is quite quick and approachable. You can contact the team at +1 800-654-3131 to share your concerns.
Similarly, Avis customer service can be contacted at 1-800-352-7900 in the USA.
Both companies have websites with complete sections on Frequently Asked Questions. You can go through the queries to find answers to all your questions directly. Avis has a separate portal where you can also share your experiences with other customers.
Reputation and Customer Reviews
The reputation of both companies is pretty positive. However, customer reviews are a bit mixed.
Hertz and Avis are often praised for their rental services, customer support, website quality, and applications. They are also given positive points for their loyalty programs and good premium options. These ventures are considered trustworthy because of their global presence and long past.
However, they also have a few weaknesses that most customers have mentioned on different customer portals.
Avis has been blamed for charging hidden costs on rentals and having inconsistent service quality. Many users have also issued concerns about inconsistent billing.
Similarly, as per some customers, Hertz is massively expensive. Plus, there have been some complaints about the condition of vehicles, and long waiting lines.
Make sure that you go through online reviews in detail to truly know if these complaints have any weight or not.
Avis vs Hertz Additional Services and Extras
Car rental add-ons are also important when comparing one company with the other. While Avis offers a good range of vehicles on rent and has a solid Avis Preferred program, it also excels at providing excellent roadside assistance. You may be charged extra for this service, but it is a good help in emergencies. Avis Connect, another feature, allows you to seamlessly manage your rentals and add-ons like a GPS or a car seat.
Hertz’s additional services include the Hertz Ultimate Choice option, which allows you to select your vehicle from any designated location. You can also get access to roadside assistance and manage your additional requests for car seats or extra drivers.
Conclusion
So, in the war of Avis vs Hertz, which company has won your hearts? While both excel at providing unmatchable rental services, they are still different in their fleet size and rates.
Therefore, if you are on a tight budget, we suggest you go for Avis. This company has a large variety of compact and budget-friendly vehicles to rent. Plus, their base rental rates are lower than those of Hertz.
However, if budget isn’t a problem and you want a luxury, premium ride for your travels, Hertz is the best choice. It has a large variety of such vehicles available for rent, so you can pick an option that truly resonates with your preferences.
