Hertz Reinvents the Car Rental Experience

PARK RIDGE, N.J., June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) is announcing the global launch of Hertz 24/7, (www.hertz247.com or www.hertz.com) a revolutionary new rental service available any time, day or night. The expansion is a game changer for the industry because for the first time customers will be able to rent a wide variety of vehicles near their home or work when needed and for any length of time -- hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. The company estimates that by 2016, it will have "self-serve" vehicles within minutes of the majority of the United States population.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130620/NY35609LOGO )

The company is also announcing that it will host a 24/7 product and service demonstration event in the metropolitan New York City area during the second week of September, 2013.  This technology event will focus on the future of in-car telematics and mobile applications to enhance the rental experience.  Additional details will be provided later this summer.

"Driven by the company's award-winning technology, Hertz is reinventing the car rental industry by putting the rental process in the hands of consumers. Technology-enhanced vehicles will be available close to where customers live or work, making it easier than ever to reserve and quickly pick-up a rental vehicle at the customer's convenience. Urban and suburban customers will be able to rent a much wider variety of vehicles at any hour – not just weekdays 9 to 5 when a neighborhood rental location is open. 24/7 service is a key part of our commitment to create the fastest, easiest and most valued rental experiences in the business," commented Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora.

Once a member, the Hertz 24/7 customer experience is powered by the fast and easy "Click. Swipe. Go!" process.  Click on hertz247.com or hertz.com from your mobile device or laptop and complete the simple 24/7 reservation process in a few minutes.  The car will only be minutes away and Swipe the 24/7 key fob against the reader on the windshield to unlock the doors. Then Go!, after retrieving the keys tethered to the dashboard.

Hertz 24/7 service is available today at 1,800 neighborhood and airport locations in the U.S., France, Germany, U.K., Spain and Australia with plans to be in more than 2,000 locations by year end. The company now has 35,000 vehicles (cars, mini-vans, vans and SUVs) equipped for 24/7 rentals. The company will be prepared to have approximately 500,000 Hertz 24/7-enabled vehicles in service globally by 2016.  At that point, Hertz 24/7's fleet would be more than ten times the size of the current car sharing industry combined. 

"Hertz 24/7 is revolutionary because it combines the technology and on-demand service associated with car sharing with the operational and logistical capabilities of a global car rental company to create a new universal car rental service. In fact, the goal is to bring this user-friendly, round-the-clock service to all consumers. Additionally, Hertz 24/7 demonstrates our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions by making situational vehicle rental a viable option for all consumers," Frissora concluded.

With Hertz 24/7, the company is creating a new "self-serve" mobility solution with no membership fees which also allows customers to talk directly to and get help from a Hertz service representative from the car, as needed.  Additionally, customers can pick up a vehicle at one location and drop-off at another; Hertz was the first company to introduce the "one-way rental" concept in car sharing in 2009.

Hertz 24/7 allows customers to reserve vehicles for immediate rental through a variety of convenient touch points including www.Hertz247.com and www.hertz.com, interactive kiosks, or mobile devices, for pick up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.*

For more information, visit www.hertz247.com, hertz.com  or follow Hertz on Facebook or Twitter.

* Customers are able to provide personal information, reserve a 24/7 vehicle, and be on their way the same day, provided that they first stop into a Hertz location for Driver's license validation.

About Hertz Technology
Hertz is committed to providing its customers speed, ease and value with technological innovations and personalized service. "Traveling at the Speed of Hertz" offers a variety of unique customer enhancements, which include:

Mobile Apps: As consumers are looking to mobile technologies as a way to take back control of their travel experience, from on-the-go bookings to instant upgrades.

Hertz Mobile App: Book, modify and search car rental reservations, find locations, and browse special deals and offers all from the palm of your hand.

Hertz NeverLost My Explore App: Users can plan their itinerary and navigate popular cities in the US and Canada all on their smart phone and import it into a calendar or to the award-winning Hertz NeverLost^® GPS.

Hertz 24/7 Mobile App: Customers have 24/7 access to a variety of vehicles when and where they need them with the ability to reserve a car or modify an existing reservation and view upcoming and previous reservations.

Carfirmation: Hertz's mobile email/SMS text service – Mobile Gold Alerts -- that confirm a Gold customer's reservation and advises them of their car location.

Carfirmation Upgrade: Hertz Carfirmations also show other available cars and upgrades and lets members select the one they want – all on their mobile device in three simple steps.

Choose Control: Hertz Gold Choice gives the customer the power to keep the car they reserved or simply choose another, something no other car rental brand offers.

Zap Technology: Hertz's Gold enrollment and e-Return in the US is the fastest way to get customers in their cars and when they return, back on their way home.  Hertz will email the customer's receipt in a flash.

Acceler-Rental: Hertz is the first car rental company to now offer both airport and neighborhood location customers the ability to rent cars through a live face-to-face video kiosk with Hertz ExpressRent™ kiosks.

About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,800 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 150 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 111 major airports in Europe. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,580 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 80 countries. Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine's readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat's 2013/14 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 10 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and services such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company's Adrenaline, Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation and operates the Hertz On Demand car sharing business. The Company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services.

SOURCE The Hertz Corporation