Which one is better – Avis vs Hertz
Whether you’ve flown out for work, had your car in the repair shop, or needed to take a trip out of the city, chances are you’ve had to rent a car at some point. If you’ve patronized a rental car company, you know that the company chosen can make all the difference in your trip.
People rate their rental experiences based on a variety of factors. According to research done by J.D. Power in 2019, the most important factor is the cost and fees of the rental which accounted for 28% of the overall satisfaction.
This was closely followed by the rental car itself at 25%, and the pick-up process at 23%. The remaining 25% was taken up by the reservation process, the return process, and the branded shuttle bus experiences.
When it comes to renting a car, Avis and Hertz are regarded as Premium car rental companies, and they offer a fleet of cool rides. While there are other good rental companies, these two are the best of the best.
However, they differ in certain aspects.
In this article, we’re going to be comparing the top two rental companies Avis and Hertz based on rental price, the existence of additional costs, type of fleet, location of the offices, the services and discounts offered, and the amounts of blocking on the card as a deposit.
Avis vs Hertz Compared
Hertz Company Overview
Hertz is one of the largest car rental companies worldwide with more than 1600 airport locations in the U.S alone. There is a rental station in nearly every major U.S. airport and many airports abroad.
However, Hertz doesn’t come cheap with its daily rate averaging $60(depending on the location). Hertz Global Holdings is the parent organization of Hertz Car Hire. They also own a Thrifty Rent-A-Car and Dollar Rent-A-Car.
Avis Company Overview
Avis has been in the business for over seven decades, and it’s no wonder they are now a giant in the vehicle rental realm. The company and its subsidiaries can be found in 165 countries.
The Parent organization of Avis Car Rental is the Avis Budget Group which also owns Budget Car Hire, Payless, and Zipcar.
Pricing
The city you rent in and the time of the year also play a major part in the pricing.
For example, New York is particularly expensive, even more so during the holidays. You’ll get the best rental discounts by booking up to six months in advance; anything beyond six months can also subject you to higher fees.
Price Quote:
Hertz: $618.92
Avis: $455.99
Standard Rates for Economy:
Hertz: $40-$78 per day
Avis: $60-$75 per day
Insurance Inclusion
They both offer insurance coverage on rentals. However, with Avis’ Standard rentals comes a loss damage waiver. In some locations, it even comes with a third-party insurance issuer.
Hertz rentals include accident damage excess- the excess is to reduce your liability for any damage to the rented vehicle.
Additional Services
At Hertz, you get car seats at $13.99 per day with a $98 maximum charge per car seat rental.
Avis offers $13 per day with a $65 maximum charge per car seat rental.
Promotions and Discounts
You can reduce Avis’ standard rates with various discount codes and promotions, but you’ll have to do your research to find them. AARP members also get special rates, by default.
Servicemen/women receive up to 25% off base rental rates, while union members receive up to 30% off pay-now rates. AARP members receive up to 30% off base rates, as well. They also have low long-term rates.
Much of Avis’ success comes from the Best Price Pledge service, which allows a customer who finds better rates with other companies to claim matching rates and then obtain a 10% off discount.
Hertz encourages repeat customers by offering incentives for regulars, such as reward points and e-return options. The Hertz Gold Plus reward program offers benefits for their regulars, such as skip-the-counter pick-up and e-return, expedited exit gate times, and a wider range of vehicle choices.
Hertz also offers AAA members discounts. It is more expensive than Avis, but in its defense, it offers a good selection of luxury vehicles.
It offers up to 30% off prepaid reservations, up to 20% off for AAA members. The company also has seasonal promotions such as up to 30% discount if you pay in advance via the website.
However, this service is more costly without coupons, discounts, or promotions. The Gold Club rewards membership costs $60 to join except a discount is offered.
Daily Mileage
Neither rental service charges you per mileage, but some rentals may come with limited mileage. This will all depend on where you booked the car and the type of car you selected.
Services
Reservation Process
Both companies require the same booking details; the driver must be above 21 years and have a valid driving license. You do not need a deposit to book a ride with either of these companies.
Avis runs a program called the Preferred Car Rental Program which offers customers a unique service, the ability to select their vehicle via the company’s app. Members can also earn points towards rewards- preferred Plus members earn at higher rates.
Some locations like California, Chicago, Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, Washington, Texas, and Puerto Rico all have an e-Toll device, so you don’t have to think about toll fees.
Signing up for Avis’ business program also means a complimentary Avis Preferred membership which makes provision for expedited pick-up and drop-off.
Avis is also an exclusive rental car service through Costco Travel, so you can get a deal if you are a Costco member.
Range of Vehicles
Avis fleet comprises SUVs, trucks, minivans, sedans, sports cars, hybrid vehicles, buses, utility vehicles, and some luxury/premium models.
Hertz offers a wide variety of vehicles, including the same set of cars as Avis, plus wheelchair vehicles, performance cars, minivans, and more luxury/premium vehicles. It’s safe to say that Hertz wins in this category.
Outlets Worldwide
Hertz: 10 200 locations in Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and the United States.
Avis: 5 500 including locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, and the United States.
GPS Navigation
Hertz takes its GPS services one step beyond Avis with the Hertz NeverLost system. The NeverLost Navigator+ is a portable smartphone-like system that includes, GPS driving instructions, travel guides, a language translator, and real-time ETA. The NeverLost service is available by reservation when you book a vehicle.
The Avis where2 system uses Garmin GPS receivers to help you find hotels, restaurants, and businesses. They provide traffic alerts in over 100 cities and alternative routing to give you the quickest route to your destination.
User Experience
App Performance
Google PlayStore App Score
Hertz: 4.7 of 5
Avis: 3.9 of 5
An easy-to-use app can also greatly influence the rental experience. This is because of the convenience and also personalization of the experience. The app communicates to the renter what’s going on with the rental making it a little more of a hands-on experience. In 2021, the clear winner was the Avis app. The Hertz app was rated a little lower than the average.
User Selectivity
Hertz works best for AAA members, especially regular travelers, and those who desire upscale cars.
Avis is a fan of small business owners, offering up to 25% car rental fees for a corporate rental plus car rental rewards for members. It also works best for Costco members, AARP members, and executives who rent cars frequently. As an Avis Preferred Rewards member, you get free memberships, skipping lines, and other perks. The company also offers discounts to seniors through AARP.
Related: Commercial vs Personal Auto Insurance
Customer Satisfaction
According to which.co.uk, Avis scored a mediocre three stars for customer service. One driver even described it as ‘appalling’, after only being sent ‘generic email responses’ when trying to make a complaint.
According to the Customer Service Scoreboard, Avis had 96% negative reviews, and only 4% of the customers had good things to say about the company.
Avis’s biggest issue was its value for money, for which it scored a lowly two stars. One customer was relatively happy with their rental but was concerned that Avis has ‘become very expensive and less competitive’, a common theme of the survey responses.
Avis did manage to bag four-star ratings in some areas, such as for age, condition, and mileage of cars, how well the description matched the rental car provided, and clarity of fuel policy. But the three-star rating for how well pre-existing damage was recorded was a source of concern. Its overall customer score was 65%.
Hertz seems to be the most preferred by customers as reflected in its overall customer score of 71%.
Customers on TripAdvisor gave Hertz a 4.4 out of 5 rating. Numerous customers in the survey told us it offers an ‘easy’ and ‘smooth’ service, and one said: ‘I have found them consistently efficient, fair and transparent for many years.’
Hertz also impresses with its vehicle selection, scoring a full five stars for the age, condition, and mileage of its cars. One customer that used Hertz on a skiing holiday told us their car was exactly as requested and even included ski roof racks for no extra charge.
Customers who are members of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards scheme are its biggest fans, and it’s no surprise.
However, according to the Customer Service Scoreboard, Hertz has 93.06% negative reviews against 3.94% positive reviews.
Read Also: Hertz vs Enterprise
Final Thoughts
Car rental can be stressful whether you’re planning a family holiday or traveling for work. Most times, the cost and fees of the rental car experience translate into the value received. The key difference between Avis and Hertz is that Hertz is available in more locations.
The best for prepaid car rentals is Avis but with limited variety and poor customer support, this company may leave you dissatisfied. Hertz has more variety, locations, and the best customer service but is more pricey.
In our opinion, Hertz is a recommended car rental company to get the best value for your money.
But all these will depend on your needs, locations, budget, preferences, and special services offered.
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