Which is better, Enterprise or Hertz?

So, which is better, Enterprise or Hertz?

The honest answer is this: Enterprise may feel better for service and overall customer satisfaction, while Hertz may be more convenient for travellers who want wider global availability and stronger airport-focused benefits. The best decision is not only about the brand. It is about the exact offer, location, insurance terms, deposit, fuel policy, mileage, and what is included in your booking.

Key takeaways

Enterprise is a strong option if you want a reliable rental experience, helpful local service, and a company that performs well in customer satisfaction studies.

Hertz is a strong option if you travel often, rent at airports, use loyalty benefits, or want access to a very large global network.

Enterprise operates more than 9,500 branch offices in nearly 100 countries and territories, while Hertz says its brands and licensees operate more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries.

Price alone should not decide the winner. A cheaper rental may become more expensive if the deposit is higher, the mileage is limited, the insurance excess is large, or extra fees apply.

Before booking with either Enterprise or Hertz, always check the rental conditions carefully. VERUSCARS helps travellers compare car rental offers more clearly, so you can understand the important details before you arrive at the counter.

Enterprise vs Hertz: the quick answer

If you want the safest general recommendation, Enterprise is often the better choice for travellers who care most about service, trust, and a smooth rental experience. In the 2025 J.D. Power North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, Enterprise ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction, with a score of 734. The study looked at areas such as ease of rental, pick-up and drop-off, trust, vehicle, staff, value for price paid, and digital tools.

That does not mean Hertz is a poor choice. Hertz remains one of the biggest and most established rental companies in the world. It has a very large international presence, a well-known loyalty programme, and strong airport coverage. Hertz can be especially practical for travellers who already use Hertz Gold Plus Rewards or who want to skip the counter at selected locations.

The better company depends on what matters most to you. If you want a simple, supported rental with a strong service reputation, Enterprise may suit you better. If you want a broad international network, faster airport pick-up options, and loyalty perks, Hertz may be the better fit.

What is Enterprise good at?

Enterprise has built much of its reputation around customer service and local branch support. While many travellers know Enterprise from airport rentals, the company is also well known for city and neighbourhood branches. This can be helpful if you are not flying, need a car near your home, or are looking for a replacement vehicle while your own car is being repaired.

Enterprise is part of Enterprise Mobility, and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand operates more than 9,500 branch offices in nearly 100 countries and territories. The brand presents itself as part of one of the world’s largest car rental providers by revenue, fleet, and employees.

One of Enterprise’s strengths is that it often feels practical and straightforward. It may not always be the flashiest option, but many renters choose it because they expect a stable experience, helpful staff, and good availability in many locations.

Enterprise Plus, the company’s loyalty programme, lets members earn points on qualifying rental spending. According to Enterprise, points can be redeemed for free rental days with no blackout dates at participating locations, although taxes, fees, surcharges, and optional products are not included in the free rental day. The programme also has status tiers, including Silver, Gold, and Platinum, depending on rental activity.

Enterprise can be a good choice if you want:

• A rental company with a strong service reputation.
• Good city and neighbourhood branch coverage in many markets.
• A practical choice for replacement cars, family trips, and everyday rentals.
• A loyalty programme with points that can be used for free rental days.
• A company that performs well in customer satisfaction rankings.

What is Hertz good at?

Hertz is one of the oldest and most recognised names in car rental. The company says its subsidiaries and licensees operate Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly across more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries. That makes Hertz especially visible for international travellers and airport rentals.

Hertz is often attractive to people who travel regularly. Its Hertz Gold Plus Rewards programme is built around speed and convenience. Members can skip the line at selected locations, choose their car where available, earn points toward free rental days, and access additional perks depending on loyalty tier.

Hertz also has strong brand recognition. Many travellers simply know what to expect when they see the Hertz name at an airport. For business trips, short international visits, and airport-to-airport travel, that familiarity can matter.

Hertz may be a good choice if you want:

• A very large international rental network.
• Strong airport presence in many destinations.
• A loyalty programme focused on faster pick-up and rewards.
• Access to different Hertz group brands, depending on the market.
• A familiar rental brand for business and leisure travel.

Which car rental company is cheaper?

There is no single answer. Sometimes Enterprise is cheaper. Sometimes Hertz is cheaper. The final price depends on the country, city, airport, season, rental duration, vehicle category, mileage, insurance package, deposit rules, and extras.

This is where many travellers make a mistake. They compare only the daily price and ignore the full rental conditions. A car that looks cheaper at first may not be cheaper after you add an additional driver, child seat, cross-border fee, young driver fee, one-way fee, or extra insurance.

For example, rental policies can vary by location even within the same brand. At one Enterprise location in Vilnius, the local terms show specific fees for additional drivers, young drivers, cross-border travel, and one-way rentals. These details matter because they change the real cost of the booking.

Hertz also has location-specific conditions. Its support information explains common charges such as additional driver fees, young driver surcharges, cross-border fees, fuel service charges, SuperCover, and other optional products.

That is why the better question is not only “Is Enterprise cheaper than Hertz?” or “Is Hertz cheaper than Enterprise?” The better question is:

Which offer gives me the clearest total cost for my trip?

Before booking, check:

• What insurance is included.
• How much the excess is.
• What deposit will be blocked on the card.
• Whether mileage is limited or unlimited.
• What fuel policy applies.
• Whether cross-border travel is allowed.
• Whether an additional driver costs extra.
• Whether a one-way return fee applies.
• What happens if you cancel or do not show up.

Pick-up and drop-off experience

The pick-up experience can make a big difference, especially after a long flight. Nobody wants to stand in a slow queue, search for hidden documents, or discover at the counter that the card or licence does not meet the rental company’s rules.

J.D. Power’s 2025 study found that customers who bypassed the rental counter had higher satisfaction than those who stopped at the counter. It also found that the average pick-up time was shorter for customers who skipped the counter.

This is one area where Hertz can be very attractive for regular travellers, because Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is designed around faster pick-up at selected locations. If you rent often and use the same brand regularly, the ability to skip the line can be a real benefit.

Enterprise also offers member check-in benefits at participating locations through Enterprise Plus. However, Hertz tends to be more strongly associated with the “skip the line, choose your car, and go” airport rental experience.

Still, the actual experience depends on the location. A great Enterprise branch can feel much smoother than a busy Hertz airport desk. A well-managed Hertz location can be faster than a small Enterprise branch with limited opening hours. Always check the exact branch details before booking.

Vehicles and availability

Both Enterprise and Hertz offer common vehicle categories such as economy cars, compact cars, sedans, SUVs, vans, and premium options in selected markets. The exact fleet depends on location.

One important thing to remember is that car rental companies usually guarantee a car category, not a specific model. If you book a “Volkswagen Golf or similar”, you may receive another compact car in the same group. This applies across the industry, not only to Enterprise or Hertz.

If you need something specific, such as an automatic transmission, SUV, large luggage space, or a vehicle suitable for winter driving, check the offer carefully before booking. Do not assume the cheapest car will fit your trip.

For city breaks and short trips, either Enterprise or Hertz can work well. For longer trips, family holidays, or cross-border travel, the details become more important. Look closely at luggage capacity, mileage, insurance, and travel restrictions.

Insurance, deposit, and excess
This is one of the most important parts of any car rental booking.

Enterprise and Hertz both offer rentals where basic protection may be included, depending on the country, location, and offer. However, the included protection does not always mean you have no financial responsibility. In many cases, there is still an excess amount. This is the maximum amount you may have to pay if the car is damaged or stolen, depending on the terms.

Deposits also vary. A rental company may block money on your credit card when you collect the car. The amount can depend on the vehicle category, insurance package, location, and local policy.

This is why a slightly more expensive rental can sometimes be the smarter choice. If it includes better protection, a lower excess, clearer terms, or more flexible cancellation, it may be better value than the cheapest option.

Before choosing Enterprise or Hertz, check:

• Is Collision Damage Waiver included?
• Is Theft Protection included?
• What is the excess?
• Can the excess be reduced?
• What deposit is required?
• Is a credit card required?
• Are debit cards accepted?
• Are tyres, glass, roof, underbody, and lost keys covered?
• What happens in case of an accident?

These details matter more than the logo on the counter.

Cross-border travel and one-way rentals

If you plan to drive from one country to another, do not book without reading the cross-border policy. This is especially important in Europe, where travellers often want to visit several countries during one trip.

Enterprise and Hertz may both allow cross-border travel in some markets, but the rules are not universal. Some countries may be allowed, some may be restricted, and some may require written approval. A fee may apply. If you cross a border without permission, you may breach the rental agreement and lose protection.

One-way rentals also need attention. Returning the car to a different location can be convenient, but it often comes with an extra fee. The fee may depend on the route, country, vehicle category, and season.

If your travel plan includes a different return location, do not compare only the daily rental rate. Compare the full price with the one-way fee included.

Loyalty programmes: Enterprise Plus vs Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Enterprise Plus is simple and useful if you rent with Enterprise regularly. Members earn points on qualifying rentals, can move through status tiers, and can redeem points for free rental days at participating locations. It is a good programme for travellers who like Enterprise and want predictable value over time.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is more focused on speed, airport convenience, and travel partnerships. Members can skip the line at selected locations, earn points toward rental days, and access upgrades or extra perks depending on loyalty status. Hertz also promotes partnerships with airlines, hotels, and other travel brands.

For occasional renters, loyalty programmes may not be the deciding factor. For frequent travellers, they can make a big difference.

Choose Enterprise Plus if you prefer Enterprise’s service style and want simple rental rewards.

Choose Hertz Gold Plus Rewards if you rent often at airports and care about faster pick-up, app-based convenience, and partner benefits.

So, which is better for your trip?

Choose Enterprise if you want a strong all-round rental company with good customer satisfaction, practical branch support, and a service-first reputation. Enterprise can be especially good for families, local rentals, replacement vehicles, and travellers who prefer a more personal rental experience.

Choose Hertz if you want a large international network, strong airport presence, and a loyalty programme that can make frequent rentals faster and more rewarding. Hertz can be especially good for business travellers, airport users, and people who already collect travel rewards.

But do not choose only by brand name. The best rental is the one that fits your trip conditions.

A good rental offer should be clear about:

• The total price.
• The deposit.
• The included insurance.
• The excess.
• The fuel policy.
• Mileage.
• Cancellation terms.
• Driver requirements.
• Cross-border rules.
• One-way fees.
• Pick-up and return instructions.

If those details are unclear, the booking may not be as good as it looks.

How VerusCars helps you compare Enterprise, Hertz, and other rental companies

At VerusCars, we believe car rental should be clear before you book, not only when you arrive at the counter. Many travellers do not have a bad rental experience because they chose the “wrong” brand. They have a bad experience because they did not see the important conditions early enough.

That is why comparing offers is not only about finding the lowest price. It is about understanding what is included, what is not included, and what you may need to pay later.

VERUSCARS helps travellers compare rental options from different suppliers in one place. Instead of looking only at the logo, you can review the key details that affect your trip: vehicle category, price, rental conditions, cancellation rules, and important supplier information.

Enterprise and Hertz are both serious, well-known rental companies. Either one can be the right choice. The smarter approach is to compare the exact offer, not just the brand.

Final verdict: Enterprise or Hertz?

Enterprise is often the better choice if your priority is customer satisfaction, practical service, and a reliable rental experience. Hertz is often the better choice if your priority is global coverage, airport convenience, and loyalty benefits.

For many travellers, the best answer is not fixed. In one destination, Enterprise may offer the better deal. In another, Hertz may have the better location, opening hours, or car category. The brand matters, but the rental conditions matter more.

Before you book, compare carefully. Look beyond the headline price. Check the deposit, insurance, excess, mileage, fuel policy, and pick-up rules. That is the easiest way to avoid surprises and choose the rental that actually works for your journey.

FAQ

Should I book Enterprise or Hertz through VerusCars?

Booking through VerusCars can help you compare offers more clearly before making a decision. Instead of choosing only by brand name, you can review the details that matter for your trip, including price, car category, supplier conditions, and cancellation rules.

Sources and methodology
To keep this comparison accurate, we checked the main facts against official company information and trusted industry sources. Location numbers were based on official information from Enterprise⁠ and HERTZ⁠ . Customer satisfaction data was referenced from the 2025 J.D. POWER North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study⁠ , where Enterprise ranked highest overall. Loyalty programme details were reviewed using the official ENTERPRISE PLUS⁠ and HERTZ GOLD PLUS REWARDS⁠ pages.