When renting a car, one of the questions many drivers have is whether it’s possible to get an upgrade — and if so, how the process works. Hertz, one of the most popular car rental companies in the world, has a well-defined car upgrade policy that allows renters to enjoy a better vehicle class than what they originally booked.
Whether you’re hoping for a complimentary upgrade or are willing to pay extra for more comfort, space, or luxury, understanding how Hertz handles upgrades can help you make the most of your rental experience.
This detailed explanation breaks down the Hertz car upgrade policy, the different types of upgrades available, how to qualify for free upgrades, when upgrades are worth paying for, and some insider tips to help you get the best possible deal every time you rent from Hertz.
What Does “Car Upgrade” Mean at Hertz?
A car upgrade at Hertz means being assigned a vehicle that belongs to a higher category than the one you originally reserved. For instance, if you booked a compact car, an upgrade might place you in a midsize or full-size vehicle instead. If you booked a standard SUV, an upgrade could mean being offered a luxury SUV or premium crossover.
Upgrades can happen for several reasons — sometimes by customer request, sometimes as a gesture of goodwill, or even due to limited inventory of your reserved vehicle type. The cost or eligibility for upgrades depends on your Hertz status, the rental location, and availability at the time of pickup.
Types of Car Upgrades Offered by Hertz
Hertz offers two main types of upgrades: complimentary upgrades and paid upgrades. Both serve different purposes and are subject to specific terms and conditions.
1. Complimentary (Free) Upgrades
Complimentary upgrades are free upgrades offered by Hertz either as part of a loyalty benefit or due to operational circumstances. They are often provided at the rental counter or automatically applied to your reservation before pickup.
Hertz might offer a free upgrade in the following situations:
- Your reserved car type is unavailable when you arrive.
- You are a member of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, especially at higher tiers.
- You are a frequent renter with an established history of loyalty.
- The location is running a promotional campaign that includes free upgrades.
- You are renting during off-peak seasons when higher-class cars are available.
In these cases, you won’t pay extra — but you will receive a better vehicle than originally booked. For example, you could receive a midsize sedan instead of a compact, or even a luxury car instead of a standard model if availability allows.
2. Paid Upgrades
Paid upgrades are optional and can be requested at the time of booking or when you arrive to pick up your vehicle. In these cases, you’ll pay a fee based on the difference in class between the car you reserved and the car you want to upgrade to. The cost varies depending on the vehicle class, rental duration, and location.
For example, upgrading from a compact to a full-size car may cost around $15–$25 more per day, while upgrading from a standard SUV to a luxury vehicle might add $40–$70 per day. Hertz usually provides you with several upgrade options at the counter or through their digital check-in platform so you can decide if it’s worth it.
How to Get a Free Upgrade at Hertz
Many renters wonder if there’s a reliable way to secure a free upgrade at Hertz. While it’s never guaranteed, there are several strategies that can increase your chances of receiving one.
1. Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
The easiest and most effective way to become eligible for free upgrades is to join Hertz’s loyalty program — Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Membership is free, and higher-tier members receive more frequent upgrade opportunities.
- Gold members: Basic members may occasionally receive complimentary upgrades based on availability.
- Five Star members: Earned after 10 rentals or $2,000 spent per year. Members are eligible for one-car-class upgrades when available.
- President’s Circle members: Earned after 15 rentals or $3,000 spent per year. Members are eligible for guaranteed one-car-class upgrades when available, often at larger Hertz locations and airports.
Higher tiers not only increase your upgrade chances but also improve your rental experience with faster service, better car selection, and priority availability.
2. Rent from Busy or Large Locations
Large airport or downtown rental centers often have more vehicles and broader selections, increasing your odds of receiving a complimentary upgrade. Smaller or rural branches may have limited stock, meaning upgrades are less likely unless they’re forced due to lack of available vehicles in your class.
3. Book During Off-Peak Periods
When demand is low, Hertz may have surplus vehicles in higher categories. During slower travel seasons — such as early spring or late fall — free upgrades are more common. Conversely, during peak summer months or holidays, expect fewer upgrade opportunities as the fleet is heavily booked.
4. Be Polite and Ask at the Counter
One of the simplest strategies is to politely ask the rental agent if any complimentary upgrades are available when you check in. A courteous, friendly approach often helps, especially if the location has some flexibility. Many agents are happy to offer a higher class car at no cost if availability allows, particularly for loyal or repeat customers.
5. Use Corporate or Partner Discounts
Certain corporate or travel partnerships with Hertz include upgrade benefits. For example, some credit cards, airlines, or hotel loyalty programs provide Hertz status matches or automatic upgrade privileges. If you’re renting under a corporate account, ask whether free upgrades are part of your agreement.
When Does Hertz Automatically Upgrade Your Car?
Automatic upgrades happen most often when Hertz’s fleet at a specific location doesn’t include enough vehicles of the class you booked. For instance, if you reserved a compact car but the branch is out of compacts, you might be upgraded to a midsize or full-size model at no extra cost. This is known as a “like-for-like or better” substitution policy, ensuring customers receive a vehicle even if their exact type isn’t available.
Additionally, elite loyalty members often have automatic upgrade preferences built into their profiles, so the system prioritizes assigning them higher-category vehicles when available.
How to Request a Paid Upgrade at Hertz
If you’d prefer to guarantee a better car rather than hope for a free upgrade, you can request a paid upgrade at several points in your rental process:
- During booking: On the Hertz website or app, select a higher-class vehicle directly. You’ll see the total price difference immediately.
- After booking: Modify your reservation online to choose a higher vehicle class. The updated rate will be shown before confirming changes.
- At pickup: Ask the rental agent about available upgrades. They’ll quote the daily rate difference so you can decide on the spot.
- Through digital check-in: Hertz’s online check-in system may show available upgrades before you arrive, letting you reserve one digitally.
Paid upgrades are guaranteed once processed, and you’ll receive a new rental agreement reflecting the updated vehicle class and total cost.
Understanding the Cost of Hertz Upgrades
The price of an upgrade depends on several factors:
- Vehicle class difference: The greater the gap between your reserved class and the upgraded class, the higher the fee.
- Location: Airport locations typically have higher upgrade costs than neighborhood branches due to demand.
- Rental duration: The upgrade fee is usually charged per day, so long rentals can add up quickly.
- Timing and season: During peak travel times, upgrades are pricier or less available.
For example, upgrading from an economy car to a midsize sedan might cost around $15 per day, while upgrading from a midsize SUV to a luxury car could cost $50–$100 per day. Always confirm the total price before agreeing to the upgrade to avoid surprises at checkout.
Hertz Upgrade Policy for Gold Plus Rewards Members
Loyalty members enjoy some of the best upgrade perks under the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program. The higher your tier, the better your chances of receiving complimentary or discounted upgrades.
- Gold Tier (Entry Level): Occasional upgrades may be offered at the manager’s discretion, particularly for regular renters or when inventory allows.
- Five Star Tier: Members are eligible for one-car-class upgrades, subject to availability, at most locations worldwide.
- President’s Circle Tier: Members receive guaranteed one-car-class upgrades when available, as well as priority service and vehicle selection benefits.
These upgrades apply to most standard vehicle categories but may exclude specialty, luxury, or electric models depending on fleet composition.
Does Hertz Offer Upgrades on Specialty or Luxury Cars?
Hertz’s upgrade policy mainly applies to standard fleet vehicles (e.g., economy, compact, midsize, full-size, SUVs, etc.). Specialty cars — such as those in the Hertz Dream Cars or Adrenaline Collection — typically aren’t eligible for free upgrades due to their premium nature and limited availability.
If you’re renting from the luxury collections (like a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Corvette), any upgrade would usually involve an additional charge, and it’s entirely dependent on availability. However, elite loyalty members may still receive priority when higher-end models are available at certain airport locations.
Can You Downgrade If You Don’t Want to Pay for an Upgrade?
If you’ve been automatically assigned a higher vehicle class but would prefer to avoid additional charges, you can request a downgrade back to your reserved class. Hertz typically honors such requests, especially if the upgrade wasn’t complimentary. However, in situations where your booked class isn’t available, Hertz will usually provide a higher-class vehicle at no extra cost until the fleet normalizes.
Hertz Fleet Variability and Upgrade Availability
One important factor to remember is that Hertz fleet compositions vary by location and season. Urban and airport branches tend to have larger inventories, while suburban or rural offices may carry fewer categories. Therefore, availability of upgrades can differ significantly depending on where you rent.
In addition, specific car models can differ by country — a midsize car in one region might not be identical to another. This variability means that while Hertz’s upgrade policy applies universally, the actual experience of receiving an upgrade depends on real-time vehicle stock at your pickup location.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of a Hertz Upgrade
If you’re aiming for a better car, here are some practical tips to improve your odds:
- Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — Even entry-level membership improves your visibility for upgrades.
- Book directly with Hertz — Third-party bookings (through travel websites) may not qualify for upgrade consideration.
- Arrive early or late in the day — Early arrivals can find better inventory, while late pickups sometimes get upgraded because lower classes are already rented out.
- Be flexible — Agreeing to a different model or color can make it easier for staff to offer a better vehicle.
- Ask politely — A courteous attitude can go a long way; counter agents often have discretionary power for free upgrades.
When Paying for an Upgrade Makes Sense
While complimentary upgrades are ideal, sometimes paying for one can be worth it. Consider upgrading in these cases:
- Long drives or road trips: A larger or more comfortable car can make a huge difference in comfort and fatigue reduction.
- Family or group travel: If you have extra luggage or passengers, upgrading to a bigger SUV or minivan can be well worth the cost.
- Business travel: A premium car can create a better impression when meeting clients or partners.
- Special occasions: For events like weddings or anniversaries, upgrading to a luxury vehicle adds an extra touch of enjoyment.
Ultimately, paid upgrades should be evaluated against your needs, travel distance, and budget. Hertz staff will always provide the total price before confirming your request.
What Happens If You Decline an Upgrade?
If an upgrade is offered but you don’t want to pay for it, you can simply decline and stick with your reserved car class. If a complimentary upgrade is offered, you’re free to accept or refuse — although most customers gladly accept since there’s no added cost. Hertz will always confirm any fee-related upgrades before processing them, ensuring transparency at every step.
Final Thoughts
The Hertz car upgrade policy is designed to provide both flexibility and opportunity. Whether you’re looking for a free bump up to a higher category or are considering paying for more space and comfort, the policy gives renters clear choices.
Hertz rewards loyal customers with the best upgrade opportunities while still allowing occasional renters to purchase upgrades when needed.
By understanding the rules, planning your rental strategically, and maintaining a positive relationship with Hertz, you can often enjoy a better car than you originally booked.
Remember that upgrades are subject to availability, but by joining Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, renting during off-peak times, and asking politely at pickup, you can maximize your chances of driving away in something a little more exciting than expected.
In the end, Hertz’s car upgrade system reflects a balance of customer satisfaction and business practicality — rewarding loyalty, managing fleet resources, and offering travelers a simple way to elevate their rental experience.
Whether it’s a surprise upgrade or one you request yourself, understanding how the policy works ensures you always get the best value for your rental.
