Hertz Car Rental - Birmingham - Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)

I’m super mad at Hertz Birmingham (airport location) as they scammed me. Telling me ‘you’ll get a free upgrade for the inconvenient (I waited in a line for my prepaid car almost an hour) and never sent me an actual receipt and I ended up paying 115$/day which is insane for 2 weeks duration. The SUV Kia Sportage was in a great shape and I loved, but the way it was given to me was very wrong. I tried to call them and corporate many times and no results. When I got a hold of them at Facebook page they said to go back to Birmingham location to fix it. It’s impossible as it’s over 3 hours drive from where we at. The guy at the Hertz Dothan location was friendly and apologetic, but his computer didn’t work (what???) and he promised to send us an email with a receipt. (Having à Deja vu here, as I was promised the same at Birmingham location)

Skip if you can. The booth in the terminal isn't crewed so you have to go to the attendant in the parkade. When there, the line was super long. The staff didn't print a copy of the rental agreement and it wasn't emailed either. When I eventually found a number online to call, they were useless. First, they couldn't pull up the invoice. So they told me to use the online receipt function. Useless. Then they told me I have to go in to a Hertz to get a print out from them. So basically waste 2 hrs because they have useless software, but yes they overcharge you and you don't know what your paying for. Pass, or just buy a car. Update! So I went to a local Hertz and was told that only the place where my wife rented could print the invoice. Well, the phone rang for 30 minutes with no answer. So I phoned the 1877 number and had to fight with an AI to get a human. Eventually Juan was able to guide me to the right spot to see an invoice. And guess what? The free upgrad to an SUV wasn't free. Also, no matter what an invoice isn't sent to wife's email. So basically she can be accused of stealing the car. Juan couldn't even get the receipt. I will never ever use this useless company again. I'd rather walk the 150 miles than pay for overpriced nonsense.

I will start by saying I will never rent from hertz again. I went to pickup the mid sized suv I rented ahead of time. After a 40 minute wait I checked in and was sent to get the vehicle. I get to the parking spot and there is a compact buick. That was not going to work with the 5 people and belongings. So back to the counter I go, wait another 40 minutes for them to serve one customer. The tell me they don't have any mid sized. That would have been nice to know earlier the first time I was here. So they say it could wait for one to come in but it could be a while. (WHAT!?) I WAS ALREADY HERE 1.5 HOURS. No I'm not waiting what else do you have... A jeep wrangler, compact or wait. So I get the wrangler that they charged me more for, And it's the worst vehicle for traveling. Noise, rough ride, and gas mileage is terrible. Never again with Hertz.

I had a rental for 4 days, prepaid a deposit of 205$, and had a remaining balance of 240$ on pick up of the vehicle. The counter agent managed to double book my rental and charge me 3k$ to my credit card. I had asked her to be sure I wasn’t charged and she said it should just be the 240$ before I left the parking garage. So the following day I get up and call to fix it and the call center agent tells me he can’t help me. So on the first day of my vacation I had to drive back through morning rush hour traffic to the airport and turn my rental back in. The morning counter agent tells me my lease than 12 hour rental is going to cost 440$, so I had to stand there and refute that, after adjust the mileage correctly the charge came down to 11$ so for 216$ (205$ deposit) for less than a 12 hour rental! Despite wrecking havoc on my credit card, costing me time and money and stress. I find out it’s gonna take an hour! To Make my reservation! They can’t do it right there! I cut my losses and took an uber. Absolutely the worst experience I have ever encountered in traveling.

As a long time Hertz President's Circle member, I've learned over the years where its beneficial to use Hertz and where it's not. BHM is clearly in the "avoid at all costs" camp. Been here a number of times over the years with a son at the University of Alabama. The fact there isn't a Gold Board for easy pickup and departure is bad enough. There are plenty of pictures on here of the long lines at the Gold Counter. That's bad enough. What spurs the review is my experience last night. Arriving after 11 PM my family was confronted with a line at the Gold Counter and the response that they "had no more cars." Really? With a reservation booked for months and the knowledge this was a football weekend in Tuscaloosa? No solution offered, just "please call our Gold Service desk to process your refund." Entirely unacceptable. At midnight we had to call for an Uber that never showed. Thankful for Enterpise Rental employees that were gracious and more than happy to loan me a car after midnight. And for a price lower than I reserved at Hertz as a President's Circle member. No wonder Hertz has declared bankruptcy multiple times. Felt like I was in the Seinfeld episode where Jerry chastised the counter rep that "anyone could take a reservation. The problem was holding the reservation." I won't make that mistake again. You shouldn't either. And now I will transfer my loyalty membership to a more reputable establishment.

Reserved the car two weeks in advance, arrived at the Gold Booth for pick up, asked to wait 30 mins, it’s been an hour, I am still waiting. Lots of car in the parking spots. Not sure what is happening here. The guy in the booth is very genuine, nice guy, But I am very disappointed in Hertz so as all people here waiting same like me. If you need to wait an hour for the car where walk in customers just pick the car and go, what’s the point of reservation.

I made a reservation with Hertz Car Rental a week ago. As a Gold Member, I expected to get the car quickly, especially since I’ve been using this company regularly through my business. However, the car was not ready, and I’ve now been waiting for over 30 minutes. The first thing they did was ask me to upgrade the car, and I told them it should be a free upgrade given the delay. They declined to offer it for free. This level of customer service is unacceptable.