Hertz Introduces Smartphone Vehicle Upgrades for Rewards Members

The Hertz Corporation, touted as the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, recently revealed new vehicle upgrade options available via smartphones for its Gold Plus Rewards members. With the new service, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can use their smartphone to select from a wide range of cars which they can rent in place of the reserved vehicle. 

In a statement, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora said, "Our customers expect speed and convenience which is why we continue to invest in user-friendly services and tools to meet their expectations in an increasingly technology-driven world. Carfirmations now give our valued Gold Members the ability to upgrade their reserved rental directly from their mobile devices as soon as they've landed. This new level of convenience and choice is unique in the car rental industry – and customers love it."

Designed as an e-mail and mobile SMS text service, Hertz Carfirmations provide Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members with almost real-time notifications on their vehicles. This includes time of arrival, as well as vehicle information and car location. A link included in the message provides customers with three options - changing to a different car at no additional cost; the deal of the day; and the option to upgrade to a different high-end car of their choice. Customers can also opt for cars with NeverLost GPS.

In addition to Hertz's recent technological upgrade, customers are provided with other capabilities which includes the Hertz Gold Choice ("Choose Control") which allows a Gold customer to either go with the pre-assigned car or select a different car and go straight to the exit gate. The service is currently available at 58 locations across the globe.

Additionally, with Hertz's e-Return ("Zap Technology") customers can just drop off their car and leave at the time of the rental return. Through this service, the company e-mails the customer's receipt ideally within 30 minutes of returning a car.  And the Hertz ExpressRent Interactive Kiosks, which are available across more than 100 airport and neighborhood locations within the U.S. and Europe, have been designed with a touchscreen interface and a second screen which allows customers and live customer service agents to directly interact via video about either existing rentals or for the creation of new rental agreements.

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