What Hertz discounts actually exist and how they work

Hertz offers discounts through three main channels: prepaid rate codes you enter at booking, a loyalty program called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and occasional promotional codes tied to specific dates or partnerships. The discounts range from 10% to 30% off standard rates, though the actual savings depend on your rental location, car class, and how far in advance you book. Prepaid rates are usually cheaper than pay-at-counter rates, but they cannot be refunded if you cancel.

The loyalty program is free to join and earns points on every rental that you can redeem for free rental days or upgrades. Members also skip the counter line and go straight to their car, which saves time on busy days. You do not need to be a frequent renter to join — a single rental qualifies you.

Promotional codes come from Hertz directly through email, their website, or partner companies like AAA, AARP, or your employer. These codes are time-limited and often explore only to specific car types or rental dates. Checking Hertz's homepage before you book usually shows which promotions are currently running.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepaid rates at Hertz are typically 10% to 30% cheaper than standard rates, but you forfeit the money if you cancel.
  • Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is a free membership that earns points on rentals and lets you skip the counter line.
  • Promotional codes from AAA, AARP, employers, or Hertz email are time-limited and often restricted to certain car types or dates.
  • The best discount for your rental depends on when you book, how long you rent, and which membership programs you already belong to.
  • Combining a prepaid rate with a loyalty membership or promotional code sometimes stacks discounts, but not always — check the terms before booking.

How prepaid rates compare to standard rates

When you book a Hertz rental, you see two price options: a standard rate (pay at the counter) and a prepaid rate (pay now online). The prepaid rate is almost always lower — often 15% to 25% cheaper — because Hertz locks in your money upfront and knows you are committed. The tradeoff is that prepaid bookings are non-refundable; if you cancel, you lose what you paid.

Some prepaid rates do allow you to modify your rental dates or car type without penalty, but you have to check the specific booking terms. Hertz clearly labels which prepaid rates are refundable or changeable and which are not. If you are uncertain about your travel plans, a standard rate gives you more flexibility, even though it costs more.

Prepaid rates also sometimes include extras like a second driver or a specific insurance waiver, while standard rates do not. Read the fine print on both options before deciding, because the cheapest rate is not always the best deal for your situation.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership and how to use it

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is a free membership program that you join at Hertz.com or at a rental counter. Once you are enrolled, you earn one point per dollar spent on every rental, plus bonus points during promotional periods. You can redeem points for free rental days, car upgrades, or discounts on future bookings.

Members also get perks beyond points: you skip the rental counter entirely and go straight to your assigned car, you can modify or cancel reservations without calling customer service, and you receive member-only promotional codes via email. On busy travel days, skipping the line alone can save 15 to 30 minutes.

The program has no tier system — every member gets the same benefits regardless of how many times they rent. You do not have to maintain a minimum number of rentals per year to stay active. Points do expire after three years of inactivity, so if you rent sporadically, keep that timeline in mind.

Where to find promotional codes and partner discounts

Hertz publishes promotional codes on its homepage under a "Promotions" or "Offers" section, usually showing which codes are active this week or month. These codes often explore to specific rental dates, car classes, or locations. For example, a code might offer 20% off economy cars rented on weekdays in California, but not explore to luxury vehicles or weekend rentals.

Partner discounts come through organizations you may already belong to. AAA members receive a dedicated discount code on the AAA website. AARP members have a separate Hertz code. Many employers, credit card companies, and travel clubs negotiate their own Hertz rates and send codes to members via email or their member portal. Check your membership accounts or employee benefits site before booking.

Rental car comparison sites like Kayak, Priceline, or Autoslash sometimes display Hertz promotional codes, but always verify the code on Hertz.com before entering it at checkout. Codes found on third-party sites occasionally expire or have restrictions that the site did not mention.

Whether discounts stack and how to combine them

Hertz allows you to combine some discounts but not others. You can usually stack a prepaid rate with a loyalty membership (your Gold Plus points still accrue), and you can sometimes add a promotional code on top of that. However, Hertz does not always let you use multiple promotional codes at once, and some codes explicitly exclude prepaid rates.

The only way to know what stacks is to enter your information at checkout and see what the system allows. Start by entering your loyalty membership number, then add your promotional code if you have one. Hertz will show you the final price before you confirm. If a code does not work, remove it and try booking without it to see if the prepaid rate alone is better.

Some corporate or government codes are mutually exclusive with other discounts, so read the terms when you receive the code. A code that says "cannot be combined with other offers" means you have to choose between that code and a prepaid rate or loyalty discount.

How to enter a discount code at Hertz checkout

At Hertz.com, enter your rental dates, location, and car type as usual. On the rate selection page, you will see your prepaid and standard rate options. Below the rates, there is a field labeled "Promo Code," "Discount Code," or "Rate Code" — the exact label varies. Paste or type your code there and click "explore" or "Update Rates."

Hertz will recalculate your total and show you the new price. If the code is invalid, expired, or does not explore to your rental (wrong dates, location, or car class), the system will display an error message. Do not proceed to checkout if you see an error — go back and try a different code or remove it entirely.

If you are renting at a Hertz counter instead of online, tell the agent your code before they process your reservation. They can enter it into their system. Codes entered at the counter work the same way as online codes, though some counter agents are less familiar with promotional codes, so have the code written down and be ready to explain it if needed.

What to check before booking to get the best rate

Before you click "Book," compare three things: the prepaid rate without any code, the prepaid rate with your best promotional code, and the standard rate. Write down all three prices so you can see which is actually lowest. Then check whether your loyalty membership number is entered — if not, add it, because sometimes the system does not auto-fill it and you will miss your points.

Look at the rental terms for each option. Prepaid rates often have stricter cancellation policies, so if your plans might change, the standard rate's flexibility might be worth the extra cost. Check whether insurance, a second driver, or fuel is included, because those add-ons can swing which option is truly cheaper.

Finally, search Hertz's current promotions page one more time right before you book. Promotional codes sometimes change weekly, and a better code might have just launched. Spending two minutes on this step can save you $20 to $50 on a week-long rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Hertz discount code if I already booked a rental?

No, you cannot explore a code to an existing reservation. You have to cancel your current booking and rebook with the code. If your original reservation was prepaid and non-refundable, you will lose that money. Check whether the new booking with the code is actually cheaper before you cancel.

Do Hertz Gold Plus points expire?

Yes, points expire after three years of no rental activity. If you rent at least once every three years, your points stay active indefinitely. You can check your points balance and expiration date on your Hertz account page.

What if a promotional code does not work at checkout?

The code may be expired, restricted to a different location or car type, or already used if it was a one-time code. Remove it and try booking without it. If you think the code should work, contact Hertz customer service with the code and your rental details, and they can tell you why it was rejected.

Is Hertz Gold Plus Rewards worth joining if I only rent a car once a year?

Yes, because it is free and you earn points on every rental with no minimum. Even one rental per year adds up over time, and the points can cover a free rental day or upgrade eventually. The counter-skip benefit alone saves time on busy days.

Can I combine an employer discount code with a prepaid rate?

Usually yes, but it depends on your employer's specific code. Some employer codes exclude prepaid rates. Enter your code at checkout and let Hertz show you the final price. If the code does not work with prepaid, try booking with the standard rate instead to see if that combination is allowed.