Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hertz Redesigns, Rethinks the Car Rental Experience

The Hertz location at the San Diego Airport replaces the rental counter with a kiosk.

Amy Hercher
Amy HercherFormer Senior Editor
Read Amy's Posts
September 11, 2013
Hertz Redesigns, Rethinks the Car Rental Experience

The rental counter is replaced by a concierge and kiosk system in which customers can access a live operator via the video screen.

2 min to read


The rental counter is replaced by a concierge and kiosk system in which customers can access a live operator via the video screen.


To streamline the rental experience, the Hertz Corp. is redesigning its locations worldwide. The company has unveiled renovated facilities at San Diego and Shanghai Airports, its Marble Arch location in central London and its Melbourne, Australia headquarters. Similar transformations are planned for additional airports and neighborhood locations throughout the year.

“Our goal is a completely new experience, one that’s flexible and customizable,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz chairman and chief executive officer, during a press event at the Hertz San Diego Airport.

Ad Loading...

The new facility design replaces the rental counter with concierge service and virtual kiosks.

If there is a wait, customers are given pagers and are free to access an iPad station, visit the on-site convenience store or browse the featured models outside.

Upon exiting the shuttle bus, customers first encounter a check-in agent, who will direct them to an ExpressRent kiosk — equipped with monitors that connect to a live agent — or an in-store agent.


If there is a wait for either, the customer gets a pager and is free to roam the facility, which now includes a convenience store, called “Road Trip by Hertz,” an iPad station with electronics recharge ports and a FedEx drop point.

In addition, customers can go outside and roam the car selection. In San Diego, sport and luxury models, such as the Aston Martin Vantage, are perched on “Wow” ramps next to placards with car specs.

Telematics-based upgrades include an app customers can download to know how long it will take a shuttle bus to get to them at the terminal. In turn, shuttle bus drivers can identify customers’ locations.

Ad Loading...

[PAGEBREAK]

The facility upgrades are also being completed through sustainable materials and construction, including solar power systems, water saving fixtures and the use of LED and energy-efficient lighting.

The Gold Choice area now has a flight status board, and Gold greeters are on hand to answer questions or help a customer connect to Bluetooth in the vehicle. Each car has a “certified clean and safe” card, signed by the employee who inspected it.

The redesign of the Hertz facilities, such as the San Diego airport location, includes "Wow" ramps featuring luxury and sport rental models.


Gold Plus program members now have the option to switch into a different set of cars for free or take an upgrade. Upon exiting the lot, the attendant will make the change on the fly and print a new contract.

Since completion of the redesign of the San Diego facility in May, Frissora said that ancillary revenues are up $6.91 per rental, contributing to an overall revenue increase of 17%. Net promoter and customer satisfaction scores are up as well, he said.

Ad Loading...

Frissora said Hertz plans to expand this new customer experience format to all of its global locations by 2015.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Rental Operations

50 states map showing LOR rates for each state with different shades of light to dark green

U.S. Rental Length Declines Slightly in Q1 2026, Enterprise Reports

LOR overall continues to trend downward, but ongoing market and economic conditions could affect future results while the industry deals with staffing and productivity challenges.

Read More →
Illustration of a driverless futuristic front seat/dashboard view of other cars on a freeway with city skyline on horizon.

Hertz, Uber Deepen Roles In Self-Driving And Driver-Led Fleet Services

The business arrangement connects demand with scalable fleet management services and supports a range of mobility uses.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...