I don't know if I'd recommend this option for people who cannot take risks (you have an…read moreappointment, you've got children with you, etc.) because of all the earlier reviews which stated their over sell their cars. In fact, they do, because the first day we were there, the very nice clerk informed a customer in front of us that they are low on cars, and customers are better off renting at the Portland Airport.
She turned away a pair of gentlemen who arrived without reservations, apologizing that she couldn't help them, she was out of cars, and spending time calling customers to delay their pick up of their rented car. I wonder what kind of customer this Hertz location rents to? Local businesses? Transient computer programmers? Who can tolerate "delaying" their pick up of their car? A lady arrived who had a child with her, and based on the situation, she took a ride-share to the airport, presumably to rent a car.
I want to be very clear that this particular clerk was extremely nice and always pleasant, even though her phone was ringing off the hook. She'd answer and put that customer on hold, and focus on the person in front of her. I noted there were two check out stations but only one person on-duty. Hm. This friendly lady also handled a potentially disgruntled customer who returned a car a few days early, wanted to be charged for the two days, not the week. She explained that he had rented it through a third party, Priceline, and they were the ones to contact. She made sense to me, but he persisted, and she got someone to cancel his original reservation and re-rent the car to him (I think that's what happened). Clever solution, but I thought bummer, since the place was clearly understaffed, and the car lot was short on cars.
I had rented a car through a third-party, because it was very inexpensive. It was half of the rate I would have paid, had I rented it through the airport location. I reasoned that the low cost was due to the fact that hubby and I had to take a 45 minute train ride from PDX and then walk to their location. Hubby and I didn't mind. We had time. I also thought it'd be fun to take a train.
But we would have been out of luck if they had indeed sold out of cars. Fortunately, they did not. In fact, we were "upgraded" to a small SUV. At first, I was hesistant because "SUV" strikes fear in my heart: little stickers which say 'may turn over in high winds' gave me the willies awhile back, so I avoid these high powered SUVs. I was saved! This "small" SUV was really a station wagon-style, which I currently own, a little "butt-car", which is my nickname for it.
The car was clean, smelled nice, and only had one minor scratch on the rear bumper.The friendly clerk took rapid-fire photos of the entire car. Then we were off!
The return was pleasant as well, but again, only (1) clerk on duty. This person was more business like but, like the first clerk, had a line of customers, and phones ringing off the hook. There was a gentleman there. I was hoping he'd clock in, and help with the line, but no, he apparently was the car-washer.
Would I rent from them again? Likely, yes, due to the low-cost. But not if I had kids with me or if I had a very important appointment somewhere.