I am a Hertz Gold member, which is a free program like flight miles. However, being a gold member, you can skip the counter and pick up your car (sometimes you have to go to the 'gold counter' if your flight is delayed, etc). It's always a quick and painless experience. Definitely saves a ton of time if you travel frequently. I'll often pay a little bit more because I like their service (crazy, right?)
I'm really disappointed in Hertz going bankrupt. Hopefully their operation can continue, I really enjoyed using them.
What's the program they ran that had an annual fee?
They really catered to the business traveler market and if your membership was paid for by a corporate account then their unstated, unofficial policy was that if you could return a car under its own power you'd never be charged for damage.
My wife was a consultant for a construction company many many years ago and had at least 3 cars totaled from being parked near construction sites. She once drove a car with a flat tire for nearly 20 miles to avoid missing a flight. Hertz never batted an eye.
There used to be a program called #1 Club Gold that nominally had an annual fee. A company I worked at in the 90s got free lifetime memberships for all employees as a perk for making Hertz their preferred agency so even after I left that company I remained a member. The main benefit was the shuttle buses dropped you off in that part of the lot first and you could just get in your car and drive off without waiting in line. At some point in the 2010s that got merged into the current Gold Plus program.
Avis/Budget have a similar program. I've always found Budget to be cheaper than competitors. I'm amazed every time I rent that more people aren't savvy to Fastbreak. It is very convenient!
Same, used them for years for business travel. Painless in every way.
Check out was easy, about 2 mins at the gate. Check in was parking the car and walking off from the garage to the Airport terminal. No need to do anything.
I do the same, with National's Emerald Club service. It sounds fancy but anyone can sign up for free membership. I used to be so paranoid about taking photos and videos of the car at the start and end of the rental, but have gradually transitioned to parking the car and walking right off to the terminal since all my experiences have been so painless. I do have a corporate code from my employer on the bookings (one of business travel and one for personal travel), which probably doesn't hurt.
I'm really disappointed in Hertz going bankrupt. Hopefully their operation can continue, I really enjoyed using them.