When choosing between Hertz and Avis, travelers are often deciding between two of the biggest names in traditional car rentals. Both brands operate massive fleets, serve airports worldwide, and are owned by major rental car groups. But when you compare them closely on availability, global reach, pricing trends, and loyalty programs, clear differences emerge.
Here’s how Hertz and Avis stack up based solely on the latest research.
Company Overview
- Hertz is part of the Hertz Corporation, which also owns Dollar and Thrifty.
- Avis operates under the Avis Budget Group, alongside Budget.
Both companies remain dominant players in the traditional rental market, even as alternatives like Turo, Uber Rent, and Zipcar grow in popularity.
Availability and Global Reach
Locations and Countries
Availability depends not just on the number of locations, but also on how widely those locations are distributed.
- Hertz
- Around 8,500 locations
- Operates in approximately 146 countries
- Avis
- Around 5,500 locations
- Operates in approximately 165 countries
Winner: Avis (by international reach)
While Hertz has more physical locations overall, Avis operates in more countries, making it a stronger option for travelers heading to less common international destinations.
Fleet Size
Fleet size plays a major role in availability, upgrades, and last-minute bookings.
- Hertz Corporation (Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty combined):
547,400 vehicles at peak fleet size - Avis Budget Group (Avis and Budget combined):
Average fleet of 479,672 vehicles
Winner: Hertz
Hertz’s total fleet is larger than Avis’s, giving it an edge when demand is high or inventory is tight.
Pricing Comparison
A comprehensive pricing analysis of seven-night rentals found noticeable differences across major rental brands.
- Enterprise consistently offered the lowest average prices
- National was the most expensive
- Avis and Hertz fell in the middle range and were not identified as the cheapest or most expensive overall
Winner: Tie
Based on the data provided, neither Hertz nor Avis stands out as consistently cheaper than the other. Pricing is highly dependent on location, timing, and demand.
Loyalty Program Comparison
Avis Preferred
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on rentals
- Minimum 100 points per rental
- Free rental days start at 700 points
- Points expire after 12 months of inactivity
- Redemption values are capped (700 points covers rentals up to a $50 base rate)
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent
- Standard reward redemptions start at 950 points for a single day
- AnyDay rewards start at 1,900 points
- Points expire after 12 months of inactivity
- Program has been devalued twice in the past three years, often with little notice
Winner: Avis Preferred
Although neither program beats Enterprise Plus overall, Avis Preferred offers lower redemption thresholds and a minimum earning rate per rental. Hertz’s higher redemption costs and recent devaluations put it at a disadvantage.
Customer Satisfaction
According to J.D. Power’s North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study:
- Enterprise ranked highest overall
- National and Alamo followed
- Avis and Hertz did not place in the top three
Winner: Tie
Neither Hertz nor Avis leads the industry in customer satisfaction, though both remain competitive traditional options.
Booking Convenience & Alternatives
Both Hertz and Avis participate in Uber Rent, allowing travelers in select U.S. cities to:
- Book directly through the Uber app
- Access professional rental fleets
- Receive doorstep delivery in some locations
- Earn 10% back in Uber One credits for Uber One members
This adds convenience but still subjects renters to standard rental company policies.
Final Verdict: Hertz vs. Avis
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Global Reach | Avis |
| Fleet Size | Hertz |
| Pricing | Tie |
| Loyalty Program | Avis |
| Customer Satisfaction | Tie |
Choose Hertz if:
- You want better odds of availability thanks to a larger fleet
- You frequently rent in major markets with high demand
Choose Avis if:
- You travel internationally and need broader country coverage
- You value a loyalty program with lower redemption thresholds
The Bigger Picture
While Hertz and Avis remain strong traditional rental options, the research shows that Enterprise outperforms both in pricing, loyalty benefits, and customer satisfaction. At the same time, alternatives like Turo, Uber Rent, and Zipcar are reshaping how travelers rent cars—often offering faster, more flexible experiences without the rental counter.
The best rental company ultimately depends on what matters most to you: global availability, fleet size, loyalty rewards, or convenience.