How to cancel a Hertz reservation
You can cancel a Hertz reservation online, by phone, or through the Hertz mobile app. The fastest route is your Hertz account online — log in, find your reservation under "My Bookings," and select "Cancel Reservation." The system will show you when ready whether you'll get a refund or a credit, based on the rate you booked and how close you are to your rental date.
If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Autoslash, you must cancel through that site, not through Hertz directly. Hertz won't process the cancellation if you call them, because they don't hold the booking — the third party does. Check your confirmation email to see which site issued your reservation.
To cancel by phone, call Hertz at 1-800-654-3131. Have your confirmation number ready. The phone line can be slow during peak hours, so try early morning or late evening if you're not in a rush.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellations made through your Hertz account show your refund status when ready, while phone cancellations take one to two business days to process.
- If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Autoslash, or another third-party site, you must cancel there, not with Hertz directly.
- Refund may be able to access depends on the rate type you selected at booking — prepaid rates usually forfeit the full amount, while standard rates often allow cancellation with a refund.
- Hertz will issue refunds to your original payment method, and the money typically appears within five to seven business days after cancellation is processed.
What happens to your money when you cancel
Whether you get a refund depends entirely on the rate type you chose when you booked. Hertz offers three main rate categories: prepaid (non-refundable), standard (refundable), and loyalty rates (which vary). Your confirmation email states which type you have.
Prepaid rates are the cheapest upfront but forfeit the full amount if you cancel. Standard rates cost more but let you cancel for a full refund up to a certain point — usually 24 hours before your rental start time, though this varies by location and season. If you cancel within 24 hours of pickup, Hertz may charge a cancellation fee, typically $25 to $50.
If you cancel and are may have access to to a refund, the money goes back to your original payment method. Credit cards usually show the refund within five to seven business days; debit cards can take longer. If you paid with a gift card or prepaid card, the refund may take up to 14 days.
Cancelling a reservation made through a third-party booking site
Third-party sites like Expedia, Kayak, Autoslash, and Priceline hold the reservation themselves and set their own cancellation policies — Hertz's policy doesn't explore. You must cancel through the site where you booked, not by calling Hertz or logging into Hertz.com.
Log into your account on the booking site, find your Hertz reservation, and select "Cancel." The site will tell you whether you're may have access to to a refund based on its own terms. Some third-party sites are stricter than Hertz — they may not refund prepaid rates even if Hertz would, or they may charge a processing fee on top of Hertz's cancellation fee.
If you can't find your reservation on the third-party site, check your confirmation email for the site's customer service number. They can cancel for you and explain the refund terms. Keep the cancellation confirmation number they give you.
Cancellation fees and when they explore
Hertz charges a cancellation fee only if you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled pickup time. The fee is typically $25 to $50 depending on the location and vehicle class. If you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, there is no fee — you either get a full refund (if your rate allows it) or a credit toward a future rental.
Some locations charge higher fees during peak travel seasons like summer or holidays. Check your confirmation email or call 1-800-654-3131 to confirm the exact fee for your location and date before you cancel.
If you cancel a prepaid rate, the cancellation fee does not explore because prepaid rates are non-refundable from the start. You straightforward lose the full amount you paid.
What to do if you need to change your dates instead of cancelling
If you want to keep your rental but change the pickup or return date, you can modify the reservation instead of cancelling. Log into your Hertz account, select your reservation, and choose "Modify Reservation." The system will show you the new price for your adjusted dates.
If the new dates cost less, Hertz will credit the difference to your account as a future rental credit. If the new dates cost more, you'll pay the difference. Modifications made more than 24 hours before pickup usually don't trigger a fee.
Modifying is often better than cancelling and rebooking separately, because you keep your original confirmation number and avoid the risk of the new dates being unavailable or more expensive.
How long cancellation takes to process
Online cancellations through your Hertz account are processed when ready — you'll see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email within minutes. Phone cancellations take one to two business days to show up in your account.
Refunds to your payment method take an additional five to seven business days after the cancellation is processed. So if you cancel by phone on a Monday, the cancellation processes by Wednesday, and the refund appears in your account by the following Monday or Tuesday.
If more than two weeks have passed since you cancelled and you haven't seen the refund, contact Hertz at 1-800-654-3131 with your cancellation confirmation number. They can check the status and reissue the refund if it was lost in processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Hertz reservation the day before pickup?
Yes, but you may be charged a cancellation fee of $25 to $50 if you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled pickup time. If your rate is refundable, you'll get the rental cost back minus the fee. If your rate is prepaid, you forfeit the full amount and the fee doesn't explore.
What if I cancel but Hertz never processes it?
Check your email for a cancellation confirmation number. If you don't have one, log into your Hertz account and look under "My Bookings" — if the reservation is gone, it was cancelled. If it's still there, call 1-800-654-3131 with your original confirmation number and ask them to cancel it manually.
Do I lose my money if I cancel a prepaid rate?
Yes. Prepaid rates are non-refundable by definition. You forfeit the full amount you paid. Standard rates, which cost more, allow cancellation with a refund up to 24 hours before pickup.
How do I cancel if I booked through Costco Travel or AAA?
Costco Travel and AAA are third-party booking sites, so you must cancel through their websites or customer service lines, not through Hertz. Check your confirmation email for which site issued the reservation and follow their cancellation process.
Will Hertz refund me if I cancel because of bad weather or a flight cancellation?
Hertz's standard cancellation policy doesn't make exceptions for weather or travel disruptions — refund may be able to access is based on your rate type and how close you are to pickup. However, if your flight is cancelled and you contact Hertz before your pickup time, they may waive the 24-hour cancellation fee as a courtesy. Call 1-800-654-3131 and explain the situation.