Hertz Backs Off From Booking Fee

Hertz Corp. today cited backlash from corporate travel managers as it reversed a decision to levy a $2.50 charge on domestic reservations and put the fee on "indefinite hold." According to a memo sent last week to corporate travel managers, the fee was to be enacted tomorrow.

"Since we announced that we were going to implement the fee, we've had some questions from some key accounts and the fee has been put on indefinite hold," Richard Broome, vice president of corporate affairs at Hertz, told BTN this morning. "We don't have any current plans for an implementation date."

Some in the industry, including Business Travel Coalition chairman Kevin Mitchell, said Hertz was playing a game of wait-and-see, anticipating other car operators would follow suit.

"They're actually not a preferred supplier for us, but my concern was that they tend to be a leader in this area. It's such a sheep industry," said Colleen Marty, Baker Hughes global travel and commercial card manager.

Hertz's competitors did not match the booking fee.