Hertz vs. Enterprise: Which is Better?

Enterprise wins overall on price and service, but Hertz has offers more airport availability and car choice.

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Published · 7 min read
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Written by Tiffani Sherman
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The time has come — you need to rent a car and you have a choice to make: Which company to rent from? Two options you may be looking at are Hertz and Enterprise, but between these two car rental companies, which is best?

Here's what a closer look at Hertz versus Enterprise showed us.

Fleet and availability

Winner: Hertz

Locations

Hertz has more than 1,600 locations at airports in the U.S. and more than 1,300 at airports internationally.

Hertz also has thousands of non-airport sites at what it calls “neighborhood locations.” All told, Hertz offers around 8,500 locations nearly 150 countries worldwide.

Enterprise, meanwhile, has more than 9,500 locations around the world but in fewer countries (around 100). It also lags in terms of airport operations, offering rentals at only 250 rental airports in the U.S.

Types of cars

Both Enterprise and Hertz rent all kinds of cars ranging from basic compact styles to minivans, as well as hybrids, electric cars, pickup trucks, luxury cars, sports cars and more.

Hertz says most of its cars are an average of 1-year-old.

If you want to rent a dream car, both have cars from Porsche, Maserati, Mercedes, BMW, Tesla and other luxury and exotic brands.

Available accessories to rent

Let’s say you don’t want to lug accessories with you or you forgot something. Which company rents or sells what you need?

  • Car seats: Both Enterprise and Hertz rent car seats, but they need to be booked in advance.

  • GPS: Both Hertz and Enterprise rent GPS devices to help you get around so you don’t need to use your phone or if you're going to a place with spotty cell service. 

  • Chargers: Some Hertz locations have phone chargers, cords, battery packs and other items for sale.

  • Toll services: Both Hertz and Enterprise have programs where you can enroll to pay tolls. The service is not offered at all locations.

  • Ski racks: Both companies also offer ski racks for rent,

  • Sirius XM: Both Hertz and Enterprise offer Sirius XM for an additional daily fee.

This isn’t a complete list, so if you’re looking for something special, it’s best to call the rental location and make sure it is available.

Pricing

Winner: Enterprise

We compared rental prices and found Enterprise to be consistently more affordable than Hertz.

Weekly rentals

The rental criteria was for a small SUV (like a Nissan Rogue) rental picking up at Tampa International Airport on June 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. and dropping off on June 15 at 3 p.m. with a driver older than 25.

The base rental for Hertz for the week is $362 and Enterprise is $364.24

The optional damage protection upgrade for the Enterprise rental is $29.99 a day, whereas Hertz's is $34.99.

Before you add this type of coverage, you might want to check if the card you’re using to pay provides rental car coverage. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express both offer rental car coverage for some types of cars. Terms apply.

The final price, including daily protection and taxes and fees came to $727.33 for Enterprise and $746.16 for Hertz, a difference of $18.83.

Some of the taxes and fees are different for a car rental from the same place for the same time period, such as the airport concession fee and the vehicle licensing fee recovery.

Let’s take a look at a different weekly rental, this time from Indianapolis International Airport during the same rental period for a minivan (at Hertz, a Toyota Sienna or similar and at Enterprise, a Chrysler Pacifica or similar).

The weekly base rate at Hertz is $1,332.00 and for Enterprise, $514.07.

Selecting no additional car rental protection, the final price for Hertz came to $1774.17 and Enterprise was $711.33, a big difference.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Pricing can vary by location and the dates you’re looking for, but based on our sampling, Enterprise was more affordable.

One-day rental

Now let’s look at a one-day rental, also from Tampa International Airport on July 24 and returning on July 25 for a medium sedan.

For Hertz, a Mazda 3 4-door or similar runs a base rate of $159 per day. For Enterprise, a Toyota Corolla or similar starts at $64.95 per day.

The recommended protections were added, and the total came to $237.38 for Hertz and $119.17 for Enterprise, a substantial difference of $118.21.

Service

Winner: Enterprise

According to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, Enterprise ranked highest overall in customer satisfaction for the third year in a row.

Hertz ranked fourth after National and Alamo.

The survey is based on responses from more than 8,000 travelers who rented a car at an airport location between August 2022 and August 2023.

Car delivery or transportation to rental locations

For years, Enterprise’s slogan was “We’ll pick you up” and someone will.

The company’s pick-up service is for non-airport locations during normal business hours. The point is for a representative of the company to pick up the renter, not to deliver a car. Once the renter arrives at a local office, they can complete paperwork and drive away in a car.

Hertz has what it calls Hertz Neighborhood Delivery for some customers, and it comes at a cost. To have someone deliver your car, you need to be a Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member and pay $30 each way.

So if you need someone to pick you up and take you to get a rental car, Enterprise might be your best option because the service is free.

Picking up a car at the airport

After you land for any kind of trip, whether it’s long or short, you’ll probably just want to get in your rental car and be on your way.

This is one place where Enterprise and Hertz differ. With Enterprise, they assign you a car based on the category you chose when you made your reservation.

Hertz allows customers to choose their own car from the cars available that are in the category rented. They call it Hertz Ultimate Choice. Members of its Gold Circle Rewards program have even more choices.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The key to a somewhat speedy departure in a rental car seems to be being a member of the company’s rewards program, the status level in that program and providing all the documentation and payment information the company needs either online or via the app.

So, if you like to choose based on a category of car instead of having someone choose for you, the nod goes to Hertz.

Rewards programs and partners

Winner: Toss up

Both Enterprise and Hertz have rewards programs where you can earn points towards free rental days and other perks.

If your goal is unlimited upgrades, Hertz gets the nod here. If it’s needing the fewest number of rewards points to get something free, it’s Enterprise.

What’s more, if you’re not a member of a rewards program, you’ll more likely have to wait at a counter to check-in.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

The Hertz rewards program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.

It is free to join and allows you to skip the counter at some locations, choose your car and drive away. When you return the car, you can just drop your keys.

There are three levels, Gold, Five Star and President’s Circle. All three levels allow the addition of a non-spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.

  • Gold: This is the base level and members earn one point for every dollar spent and have a choice of cars.

  • Five Star: Awarded after 10 rentals a year or $2,000 spent. Members earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent. It includes category upgrades if they are available and a wider choice of cars.

  • President’s Circle: Comes after 15 rentals or $3,000 spent in a year. Members earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent. Upgrades are guaranteed and members have the widest selection of cars to choose from. President’s Circle members can also call a dedicated customer service line. 

🤓Nerdy Tip

Some credit cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express, have complimentary status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program. Terms apply.

What about booking with points? A free rental day takes a minimum of 950 points with blackout days and 1,900 points without blackout days. A weekly free rental starts at 4,750 points.

Enterprise Plus

Enterprise’s rewards program is called Enterprise Plus and has four levels: Plus, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

  • Plus: This is for up to five rentals and members earn a point for every dollar spent.

  • Silver: This tier kicks in for rentals 6-11 and members receive a 10% bonus for every dollar they spend and get one free upgrade a year.

  • Gold: After 12 rentals or 40 days rented, people earn Gold status which gets them a 15% points bonus and two free upgrades. 

  • Platinum: This is the highest level that comes after 24 rentals or 85 days rented. Members earn a 20% points bonus and have four upgrades a year. 

When using points a free rental day with Enterprise starts at 400 points with no blackout dates.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Ask about a status match. Both Enterprise and Hertz will match status if you have status with some other companies.

Cards with built-in rental car insurance

Save money at the counter by booking with a travel card that includes rental car coverage in its travel benefits. Just be sure to decline the coverage pitched to you by Enterprise or Hertz.

Cards with auto rental benefits
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Chase's website

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card
United℠ Explorer Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Chase's website

The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$95.

$0 intro for the first year, then $95.

$695.

$550.

Rental car benefits

• Primary rental car coverage with reimbursement up to the cash value of most rental vehicles.

• Booking a car rental through Chase's travel portal earns 5 points per dollar spent.

• Redeeming points to book travel through Chase — including renting cars — gives you 25% more value per point.

• Primary rental car coverage that reimburses up to the cash value of most rental cars.

• Other day-of-travel benefits for United flyers include a free checked bag, priority boarding and lounge passes.

• Complimentary elite status with Avis, Hertz and National, which entitles the member to upgrades and discounts.

• Secondary rental car coverage.

• Other benefits include expansive airport lounge access and hundreds of dollars' worth of travel credits.

• Terms apply.

• Primary rental car coverage with reimbursement up to $75,000.

• Booking a car rental through Chase's travel portal earns 10 points per dollar spent.

• Redeeming points to book travel through Chase — including renting cars — gives you 50% more value per point.

• Cardholders eligible for special benefits from Avis, National and Silvercar.

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So, which is better, Hertz or Enterprise?

So, which is better, Enterprise or Hertz? Generally speaking, most travelers will be happiest with Enterprise.

Both companies offer a wide selection of locations, car types and optional accessories, as well as strong rewards programs for loyal customers. Enterprise, however, is often more affordable, and its customer service is all around better.

However, if you want more airport locations and to choose the type of car you rent, Hertz comes out ahead.


Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

  • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Cards for Rental Cars from our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-10x

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
4.9
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-10x

Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more cards for rental cars
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