Free Guide to Changing Your Hertz Car Rental Reservation

Understanding Hertz Reservation Changes: What You Need to Know

Hertz allows customers to modify their car rental reservations in several ways, depending on when the change is requested and what type of change you want to make. This guide provides information about how the reservation modification process works, what options are available, and what factors may affect your ability to change your booking. Understanding these details can help you make informed decisions if your travel plans shift or if you need to adjust your rental dates, vehicle type, or pickup location.

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A reservation is a confirmed booking that holds a specific vehicle for your rental. When you make a Hertz reservation, you provide information including your rental dates, vehicle class preference, pickup and dropoff locations, and personal details. This reservation typically comes with terms and conditions that outline what changes are possible and when. The reservation confirmation you receive contains important details about your booking, including a confirmation number, rental dates, and vehicle information.

Hertz offers several modification options through different channels. You can attempt to change reservations through their website, by calling their customer service line, through the Hertz mobile app, or by visiting a Hertz location in person. Each method has different levels of convenience and may provide different information about your specific reservation. The method you choose may depend on the type of change you need, how soon you need it done, and your personal preference for how to communicate.

Changes made further in advance of your rental date are generally processed with fewer complications than last-minute modifications. Hertz systems process changes differently depending on timing, current demand at the location, vehicle availability, and the nature of your reservation. Understanding these factors helps explain why some changes may be straightforward while others might present challenges.

Practical Takeaway: Keep your Hertz confirmation number accessible before attempting any changes. This number helps customer service representatives locate your reservation quickly and provide accurate information about what modifications are possible for your specific booking.

Using the Hertz Website and Mobile App to Modify Your Reservation

The Hertz website and mobile app offer self-service options for modifying many types of reservations. To use these tools, you typically need your confirmation number and the phone number associated with the reservation. The website has a section labeled something like "Manage My Reservation" or "View/Modify Reservation" where you can enter this information to retrieve your booking details.

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Once you locate your reservation through the website or app, the system shows you what information is currently on file. The interface usually displays your current rental dates, vehicle class, pickup and dropoff locations, daily rate, and total rental cost. From this screen, you can typically attempt to modify several elements of your reservation without speaking to a representative. Common changes that the self-service system often allows include adjusting your rental dates, changing your vehicle class preference to another available option, or modifying your pickup or dropoff location if you're still using Hertz locations.

When you make changes through the website or app, the system recalculates your rental cost based on current rates for your new dates or vehicle choice. Rates fluctuate based on demand, so changing your dates might result in a higher or lower total cost. The system displays the new price before you confirm the change, allowing you to review the financial impact. If the new rate is significantly higher, you have the option to cancel the modification and keep your original reservation instead.

The website and app systems have limitations on what they can change. Some changes that the self-service tools cannot process include modifications to the name on the reservation, changes to the renter's age or driver's license information, or adjustments to add-ons like insurance or equipment. Additionally, if your reservation has special terms, corporate discounts, or was booked through a third party, the website system may not permit modifications and may direct you to contact customer service instead.

Technical issues sometimes occur when using online systems. If you attempt a modification and receive an error message, or if the system won't accept your change, this typically indicates that your reservation requires manual review by a Hertz representative. In these situations, contacting customer service is the next appropriate step.

Practical Takeaway: Always review the new price and terms before confirming any online modification. Screenshot or print your updated confirmation to have documentation of your changes, as the system typically generates a new confirmation number after modifications are completed.

Calling Hertz Customer Service to Change Your Reservation

Hertz maintains a customer service phone line for making reservation changes when you cannot use the self-service website or app, or when you prefer to speak with a representative. Their general customer service number is listed on their website and on your confirmation email. When you call, you typically navigate through an automated menu system before connecting to a live representative, though some calls may be directed to different departments depending on your needs.

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To call effectively, have your confirmation number ready before dialing. You may also need your driver's license number, the phone number associated with the reservation, and information about what change you want to make. These details help the representative locate your reservation quickly and provide accurate information about what modifications are possible. If you're calling to change your dates, have your new preferred dates available. If you're changing locations, know the new pickup and dropoff cities you want to use.

When speaking with a representative, explain your desired change clearly. For example, "I need to change my pickup date from June 15th to June 20th" or "I'd like to upgrade from a compact car to a midsize sedan if that's available." The representative can then check availability and pricing in real time, discuss options with you, and process the modification while you're on the phone. This real-time interaction allows you to ask questions about pricing changes or get recommendations if your preferred option isn't available.

Phone representatives can often handle changes that the self-service system cannot, including modifications to the renter name (in some cases with proper documentation), adjustments to special rate codes or corporate discounts, or changes to reservations made through third-party booking sites. They can also provide context about why certain changes are or aren't possible with your specific reservation. If you have questions about rate differences or want to understand the terms of your rental, representatives can explain these details during the call.

Wait times to speak with a representative vary depending on the time of day and season. Calling during non-peak hours (such as early morning or late evening) may result in shorter wait times. During peak travel seasons or around holidays, wait times may be longer. Some people prefer to call ahead of their travel date rather than waiting until their rental date is close.

Practical Takeaway: Write down the representative's name and any confirmation details they provide about your change, including a new confirmation number if applicable. This creates a paper record of the conversation if you need to reference what was discussed.

Making Changes at a Hertz Location

You can also modify your reservation by visiting a Hertz rental location in person. This option works well if you're already at the airport or location where you plan to pick up your car, or if you prefer to discuss your modification face-to-face. At a Hertz location, staff can access your reservation using your confirmation number and driver's license, then discuss what changes you want to make.

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Visiting in person offers some advantages. You can see available vehicle options and make an informed choice about upgrades or downgrades. You can ask questions about equipment, features, or policies directly. You can also get immediate confirmation of your changes and walk away with updated paperwork. This method eliminates phone wait times and self-service system limitations. Additionally, if you're making changes on the day of your rental, an in-person visit ensures that the location has processed your modification before you arrive for pickup.

However, there are also practical considerations to visiting a location. Hertz rental counters can have busy periods, especially during peak travel times, so you might wait before speaking with staff. Not all changes may be possible at every location depending on current vehicle availability and staff access to your account. If you're trying to make changes to a reservation booked at a different location than where you're visiting, there may be additional processing time involved. Additionally, if you're making changes days or weeks before your rental, the location staff may still need to contact the main reservation system to process certain modifications.

If you're changing your rental dates to an earlier date and want to pick up the car sooner than your original booking, visiting a location can sometimes accelerate this process. Staff can check current availability and potentially allow you to pick up your vehicle that same day if cars are in stock. Conversely, if you need to push back your rental dates, staff can check availability for your new dates and process the change while you wait.