Enterprise vs Hertz: Which One Should You Pick?

By RentRight Team · Published April 4, 2026 · 9 min read

Enterprise and Hertz are the two biggest names in rental cars, and if you have ever searched for a rental online, there is a good chance both showed up near the top of your results. They are both huge companies with thousands of locations, but they take very different approaches to the rental experience. Enterprise is the neighborhood brand that will pick you up from your house. Hertz is the airport powerhouse with a premium fleet and a polished loyalty program.

So which one should you actually book with? The answer depends on where you are renting, what kind of car you need, and how often you rent. We compared them head-to-head across every category that matters.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Pricing

Enterprise generally comes in cheaper than Hertz, and the gap widens when you factor in airport surcharges. Because Enterprise has so many neighborhood locations, you can often avoid the 10 to 15 percent airport concession fee entirely. A mid-size sedan that runs $55/day at a Hertz airport counter might be $42/day at an Enterprise branch two miles down the road.

For weekly and multi-day rentals, Enterprise tends to offer more competitive weekly rates and is more willing to negotiate on longer bookings, especially at neighborhood branches where the staff has more flexibility. Hertz occasionally offers strong promotional rates through its website and AAA partnerships, but at rack rates, it is almost always the more expensive option.

One pricing advantage Hertz has: prepay rates. Hertz's prepaid reservations can drop the price significantly below its standard rates, though these come with stricter cancellation policies. Enterprise's pay-at-counter pricing is more consistent, which means fewer surprises but also fewer deep discounts.

Bottom line: Enterprise wins on everyday pricing. Hertz can be competitive if you lock in a prepay deal, but you sacrifice flexibility.

Fleet and Vehicle Quality

Both companies maintain large, well-serviced fleets, but the mix is different. Enterprise's fleet is built around practical, mainstream vehicles: Toyota Camrys, Hyundai Tucsons, Chevrolet Equinoxes, and similar models. The cars are typically well-maintained and relatively recent, but you are unlikely to find a luxury or exotic vehicle at a standard Enterprise branch.

Hertz leans more upmarket. Its standard fleet includes more premium options, and its "Dream Cars" collection lets you rent vehicles like Corvettes, Porsches, Range Rovers, and Tesla Model 3s at select locations. If you want something beyond a standard sedan or SUV, Hertz gives you more options. Hertz was also one of the first major rental companies to add a large number of electric vehicles to its fleet, though availability varies by location.

For truck and cargo van rentals, Enterprise has the clear edge. Its commercial division is massive, and most neighborhood branches can arrange pickup trucks, box trucks, and cargo vans with short notice.

Bottom line: Hertz wins on premium and exotic selection. Enterprise wins on practical vehicles and truck availability.

Locations and Convenience

This is where the two companies diverge most dramatically. Enterprise operates roughly 6,000 locations in the United States, and the majority are neighborhood branches embedded in towns and suburbs. Their famous "We'll pick you up" service means an Enterprise employee will drive to your home, office, or repair shop and bring you to the branch for free. This is a genuinely useful perk that no other major rental company matches.

Hertz, by contrast, is built around airports. It has approximately 3,700 US locations, and its strongest presence is at airport terminals where it often occupies prime real estate in the rental car center. If you are flying into a city and need a car immediately, Hertz's airport infrastructure is hard to beat. The Hertz Gold canopy at major airports, where your name is on a board and your car is waiting with the keys inside, is one of the smoothest rental experiences in the industry.

For international travel, Hertz has a broader global footprint, with locations in over 150 countries compared to Enterprise's presence in roughly 90 countries. If you rent frequently overseas, Hertz's network gives you more consistency.

Bottom line: Enterprise dominates neighborhood convenience with free pickup. Hertz dominates airport convenience with its Gold canopy experience.

Loyalty Programs

Enterprise Emerald Club

Enterprise's Emerald Club is shared across Enterprise, National, and Alamo (all owned by Enterprise Holdings). Members can skip the counter, earn free rental days, and get periodic upgrade offers. The program is straightforward: rent, earn points, redeem for free days. One major advantage is that points earned at National or Alamo also count, so if you use any brand in the Enterprise Holdings family, your rewards accumulate faster.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Hertz Gold Plus is one of the strongest loyalty programs in car rental. Gold members skip the counter at airports, get a dedicated Gold canopy area, and their car is pre-assigned and waiting. The points system is generous, and Hertz has partnerships with major airlines (Delta, United, JetBlue, and others) that let you earn frequent flyer miles on every rental. Five Star and President's Circle tiers add guaranteed upgrades, free additional drivers, and waived young driver fees.

For frequent business travelers, Hertz Gold Plus has a slight edge because of its airline partnerships and the smooth airport experience. For casual renters who use neighborhood locations, Emerald Club's cross-brand earning is more practical.

Bottom line: Hertz Gold Plus edges ahead for business travelers. Emerald Club is better for renters who use multiple Enterprise Holdings brands.

Customer Service

Enterprise consistently leads the rental car industry in customer satisfaction. In J.D. Power's annual rental car satisfaction surveys, Enterprise has finished first or second for over two decades. Their agents are generally friendlier, less pushy with insurance upsells, and more willing to work with you on pricing or vehicle swaps. The neighborhood branch model helps here: smaller locations with less foot traffic mean shorter waits and more personal attention.

Hertz's customer service is more mixed. At well-staffed airport locations, the Gold experience is excellent. But at busy terminals during peak travel season, wait times can stretch, and counter agents tend to push insurance products and upgrades more aggressively. Hertz's phone support and online experience have improved in recent years, but they still lag behind Enterprise in overall satisfaction scores.

For damage claims and disputes, both companies have earned criticism. However, Enterprise's process is generally considered more transparent, while Hertz has faced more publicized complaints about disputed charges and billing errors.

Bottom line: Enterprise wins on customer service by a meaningful margin.

Fees and Fine Print

Both companies charge the standard industry fees: young driver surcharges (under 25), additional driver fees ($10-15/day), one-way drop-off fees, and toll transponder charges. The amounts are roughly comparable, but there are a few differences worth noting.

• Airport surcharges: Enterprise's off-airport locations avoid these entirely, saving 10-15 percent. Hertz airport locations always include them.
• Additional drivers: Hertz waives the fee for Gold Plus members' spouses. Enterprise waives it in some states and for certain corporate accounts.
• Fuel policy: Both offer "return full" as the default. Hertz's prepaid fuel option is slightly more competitively priced than Enterprise's.
• Mileage: Both offer unlimited mileage on most standard rentals in the US. Some specialty vehicles at Hertz have mileage caps.

For a detailed breakdown of every hidden fee and how to avoid them, see our guide on how to avoid hidden rental car fees.

The Verdict

There is no universal winner here. Enterprise and Hertz are both strong companies that excel in different situations.

Choose Enterprise if:

• You are renting from a neighborhood location (not the airport)
• You value customer service and a low-pressure counter experience
• You want the free pickup service
• You need a truck, van, or practical everyday vehicle
• You want the lowest total price on a standard rental

Choose Hertz if:

• You are picking up at an airport and want a seamless experience
• You want a premium, luxury, or exotic vehicle
• You fly frequently and want to earn airline miles on rentals
• You rent internationally and need a global network
• You are a loyal Gold Plus member and benefit from tier perks

For most casual renters making a one-off booking, Enterprise will deliver a better experience at a lower price. For frequent business travelers who rent at airports, Hertz's Gold Plus program and airport infrastructure justify the premium. And if you are not sure, the best move is to compare actual quotes for your specific dates and location.