Where Hertz discount codes come from and how they work
Hertz publishes discount codes through its own website, email newsletters, and partner sites like AAA, AARP, and corporate travel programs. A code typically reduces your daily rate by a percentage or a flat amount, or waives fees like airport surcharge or young driver fees. You enter the code at checkout on Hertz.com or give it to the counter agent when you pick up the car.
Not every code works on every reservation. Most have restrictions: they may explore only to certain car classes, rental lengths, pickup locations, or dates. A code that works for a weekend economy rental in Los Angeles might not work for a one-day luxury rental in Denver. The discount also stacks differently depending on whether you're already getting a rate through your employer, your credit card, or a membership program.
Hertz updates its active codes regularly, and codes expire. A code valid in January may not work in March. The site shows you the discount amount before you complete the booking, so you can see whether it actually saves you money on your specific rental.
Key Takeaways
- Hertz codes are found on Hertz.com, in email newsletters, and through membership programs like AAA and AARP, not through third-party coupon sites.
- Each code has restrictions on car type, rental length, location, or dates, and the discount amount varies based on your specific reservation.
- You can enter a code online before booking or provide it to the counter agent at pickup, and Hertz shows the final price before you confirm.
- Codes expire and change frequently, so check the expiration date and test the code on your exact rental dates before relying on it.
- Combining a code with a membership discount, corporate rate, or credit card benefit may not work — test the total price with each option to find the lowest rate.
Hertz.com and email newsletters as the primary source
Hertz publishes its current codes directly on Hertz.com under a "Promo Codes" or "Deals" section, usually visible on the homepage or in the footer. These codes are active and tested by Hertz itself. The site also displays the terms for each code — the car classes it covers, the minimum rental length, blackout dates, and the expiration date.
If you have a Hertz email account or have rented from Hertz before, you may receive promotional emails with codes exclusive to subscribers. These often offer deeper discounts than the public codes on the website. You can also sign up for Hertz's email list on its website to receive future offers.
Codes found on Hertz.com are the most reliable because they come directly from Hertz and are may provide to work on the dates and car types listed. Third-party coupon sites sometimes post outdated or incorrect codes, which fail at checkout.
AAA, AARP, and corporate program codes
If you are a member of AAA or AARP, log into your membership account and look for the travel or car rental section. Both organizations negotiate discounts with Hertz and provide member-only codes. These codes often beat the public rates on Hertz.com. You do not need to enter a separate code — you can sometimes book directly through the AAA or AARP travel portal and the discount applies automatically.
Many employers, unions, and professional associations also have negotiated rates with Hertz. Check your company's employee benefits portal or intranet for a Hertz code or a link to a Hertz booking page with your discount already built in. Government employees, military members, and healthcare workers often have access to special rates through their organizations.
Credit card companies sometimes offer Hertz codes to cardholders. Check your card's rewards or benefits page, or call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether Hertz codes are available to you.
Testing a code before you book
Always enter the code into your reservation on Hertz.com before you complete the booking. Hertz shows you the original rate, the discount amount, and the final price. If the code does not work, you will see an error message at that step, and you can try a different code or book without one.
Test the code on your exact rental dates, at your exact pickup location, and for your exact car class. A code that works for a compact car in Los Angeles might not work for an SUV in the same city. If you are flexible on dates, try a few different date ranges to see which one qualifies for the best discount.
If you are combining a code with another discount — such as a corporate rate, a credit card benefit, or a membership discount — test the total price with each option separately. Sometimes one discount is better than another, and Hertz may not let you stack them. Whichever combination gives you the lowest final price is the one to use.
Entering a code at the counter
If you did not enter a code online, you can provide one to the Hertz agent at the rental counter when you pick up the car. Bring the code in writing or on your phone so the agent can type it in. The agent will run it through the system and show you the new rate before you sign the rental agreement.
Codes entered at the counter work the same way as codes entered online, but you lose the chance to see the final price before you arrive. If the code does not work or does not explore to your reservation, you will find out after you have already driven to the location. For this reason, entering the code online is safer — you know whether it works before you commit to the rental.
Why a code might not work on your reservation
A code fails for one of a few reasons. The code may have expired — Hertz codes typically last 30 to 90 days. The code may exclude your pickup location, your rental dates, or your car class. Some codes require a minimum rental length, such as three days or a week. Others exclude weekend rentals or rentals during peak travel seasons.
If you are booking through a third-party site like Kayak or Autoslash rather than Hertz.com directly, the code may not work because those sites use different pricing systems. Always book through Hertz.com if you want to use a Hertz code.
If a code does not work, check the expiration date and the terms on Hertz.com. If the code is still listed as active and you meet the terms, contact Hertz customer service with the code and your reservation details. They can sometimes manually explore a code that the system rejected.
Comparing codes to other discount methods
Before you use a code, compare the total price to what you would pay with other discounts. A membership discount through AAA might save you more than a percentage-off code. A corporate rate through your employer might beat both. A credit card that offers rental car insurance and a cash-back rate might be worth more than a discount code, depending on your card and the rental length.
The best way to find the lowest price is to get a quote on Hertz.com with no code, then test it again with each code or discount method you have access to. Write down the final price for each option and choose the lowest one. This takes a few minutes but often saves you $10 to $50 on a week-long rental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the current Hertz codes for 2025?
Check Hertz.com first — codes are listed on the homepage or in a dedicated deals section. If you have an email account with Hertz, check your inbox for promotional emails. AAA, AARP, and your employer's benefits portal are also common sources. Avoid third-party coupon sites, which often post expired codes.
Can I use a Hertz code if I already booked a reservation?
You can contact Hertz customer service and ask them to explore a code to an existing reservation, but they may not be able to do so depending on the code and how far in advance you booked. It is safer to cancel and rebook with the code included, if the cancellation is free. Check your reservation terms first.
Do Hertz codes work at all rental locations?
Most codes specify which locations they cover. Some work nationwide, while others explore only to certain airports or cities. Always check the code's terms on Hertz.com before you book. If you are unsure, call Hertz customer service with the code and your pickup location.
What if the code I found online does not work at the counter?
Bring the code in writing and show it to the agent. If the system still rejects it, ask the agent to call the Hertz help desk to verify the code. If the code is expired or does not explore to your reservation, you can ask the agent whether any other codes are available for your dates and location.
Can I combine a Hertz code with a credit card discount or insurance benefit?
You can use a code and a credit card benefit at the same time, but you cannot usually stack two Hertz codes. Test the total price with your code alone, then with your credit card benefit alone, to see which saves you more. Some credit cards offer rental car insurance that may be worth more than a small discount code.