Cheap Car Hire in South Park, Seattle

Inez behind the counter was fabulous. We were headed to the San Juan Islands where electric charging stations are few and far between. She recommended we switch to a gas car and we were glad we did. We saw only one charge point the whole week.

When we arrived, there were no cars available (zero in the lot) and we were told there was no visibility into what cars should be returned that day. We were also told that since we had booked our Electric SUV through Kayak, Hertz was unable to make any changes and they said if we tried to get a car from them at a different Hertz location, the Kayak rate would not be honored. Further, the manager whom we got on the phone was originally saying she would not be able to offer us a gas-powered car if one came in. We were told we might have to wait 5-6 hours for a car, not to mention we were fourth in line waiting for a car. Fortunately, after waiting about an hour someone dropped off an electric sedan and all the people ahead of us had given up, cancelled, and went elsewhere, so we received a car. The car was not clean and one of the windows still had yellow writing on it, but we feared complaining because we were glad to have a vehicle at all. The young customer service agent took a lot of vitriol from other customers and I know it as not his fault. He held up admirably. I could not call Kayak except for a customer service number I found on Google, and that number proved to be more of a message explaining that no help could be given for any bookings at all and did not offer a Customer Service Rep to whom I could speak. Based upon that, I'm presuming this complaint may not be read anyway . . . joke's on me I guess. I still haven't received an email receipt that was promised after the car was dropped off on time, but I have been charged $25 extra dollars (I assume charging fees). I better get my $200 damage deposit back.

Not pleasant. I came to know while on the road that not all Hertz locations are alike. Hertz does not allow exchange of a rental car from franchise locations even though they carry the Hertz name! This becomes a problem when you are on the road and have an issue with the rental vehicle and desperate for a replacement vehicle. Also it takes an awful lot of wait time to get through to Hertz customer support.