Hertz UK Launches Horatio's Reverse Auction for Lowest Priced Three-Day Weekend Rental

LONDON, August 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Hertz #1 Club members can win an opportunity to purchase weekend car rental in the UK at the price they quote in lowest unique bid offer

Hertz, the world's leading general use car rental brand, announced that Horatio, the company's goodwill ambassador, and now official auctioneer, has opened his very own Reverse Auction Room to let UK customers bid for, and win, the opportunity to purchase a Hertz economy car rental for the weekend at any UK destination for the lowest unique price submitted. There is one guaranteed winner every Wednesday until further notice. The reverse auction room is located online at http://www.hertz.co.uk/auction.

The reverse auction is ideal for customers hunting a bargain for that spontaneous getaway or weekend drive. Customers simply need to sign up to the Hertz #1 Club for free before visiting Horatio's Auction Room between Tuesday, 12 midnight and 2pm every Wednesday to submit their bid. Members will need to think strategically, as the lowest unique bid will win and can only be entered once (terms and conditions apply).  To date, customers have won the opportunity to purchase weekend car hire for as little as £5.03.

Once a bid is entered, the excitement doesn't stop there as customers agonizingly wait to see if they have successfully outwitted their fellow contestants to submit the lowest unique bid at Horatio's Reverse Auction.

The winning bid is announced at 4pm every Wednesday by Horatio, where he also offers all participants his Second Chance offer. This special offer comprises of up to 50 per cent off Hertz economy car hire and a free additional driver for the upcoming weekend at participating destinations in UK and Germany.

Michel Taride, President, Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation, said: "We are very excited to launch Horatio's Auction Room to encourage friends, couples and families to experience our Hertz service at the weekend at the price they choose. Our reverse auction means that one lucky customer every week can drive away in one of our rental cars at exactly the low price they want to pay.  It's also a fun way to promote our new goodwill ambassador, Horatio, who is the auctioneer on the site."

Horatio's Reverse Auction will also be featured on Hertz's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/hertzuk to engage and encourage a wider audience to think more creatively about their weekends by granting them full flexibility and access to their desired destinations.

Terms and conditions

• Horatio's Reverse Auction is a lowest unique bid auction for a three day economy car rental. The bid that is the lowest and unmatched when the auction closes at 2pm every Wednesday is the winning bid. For example, if a bid of £5.62 is submitted and it is the lowest unique bid at the end of the auction, the winner will pay that amount for the rental.
• Auction start: Every Tuesday at 12 midnight (Tuesday 24.00 hours).
• Auction end: Every Wednesday at 2pm (Wednesday 14.00 hours).
• Car hire for winning bid in Horatio's Auction is valid for the upcoming weekend only. Customers should not bid if they are unavailable to pick up the car the weekend straight after the auction.
• Weekend is defined as: Friday 9am (location opening time) to Monday 9am. An additional day will be charged if car is returned after 9am on Monday.
• The winner will be notified by phone on the day of the auction. If the winner cannot be contacted for any reason within one hour of end of auction (3pm), the next lowest unique bid will be selected.
• Hertz employees or persons connected with Hertz are ineligible for the auction.
• Horatio's Auction may be promoted on several different websites simultaneously including social media.
• Horatio's Auction is only open to Hertz #1 Club members. No purchase necessary.
• Only one bid per person per auction.
• The rental is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other rental
• If the advertised car group is not available, Hertz reserves the right to offer an alternative car group, alternative location or alternative dates to the winner.
• Bid price will apply to all mandatory rental costs including collision damage waiver and theft protection, and excluding optional extras such as child seats, additional drivers, young driver surcharge and fuel which are charged at normal rates.
• Hertz reserves the right to modify or suspend this auction at any time without notice.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion.
• Standard Hertz rental terms and conditions apply.
• For the Second Chance Offer, the minimum rental is for a 3 day weekend rental only.  Selected destination countries include UK and Germany.  Car groups:  A, B, C and D groups only. Availability is limited. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion.  All rentals are subject to Hertz standard terms and conditions.

About Hertz

Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,500 corporate locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is in its 92nd year of delivering quality car rental solutions to leisure and corporate customers.  Product and service innovations such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Worldwide Online Check-in, specially designed NeverLost® satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company's Prestige, Fun and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition.

For more information please go to http://www.hertz.com.

Hertz Press Contacts

    
    Alicia Mistry
    Ketchum Pleon
    T: +44(0)20-7611-3574
    E: alicia.mistry@ketchumpleon.com

    Caroline Trotman Dickenson
    Ketchum Pleon
    T: +44(0)20-7611-3686
    E: caroline.trotman-dickenson@ketchumpleon.com