Is Sixt ever worth it? Even with Platinum status?

[Perigord24400]

Hello,
I aim to book a car (Group B/C) for 10 days in Portugal over the summer. At the moment LIS is higher on the list than OPO.
I have Sixt Platinum for a number of years thanks to my employer (D & CH based HQ) but have also President Circle at Hertz and President Club at Avis.

So far this year, for 5 rentals in Europe, Hertz with electric car (Kia EV6 and Polestar 2) has been my typical vehicles or Renault Australe with Avis. In the two above named car rental companies cases, the CDP associated with MCWE or the AWD of my employer makes the most economically advantageous.

Is there a case where the Sixt prices have or are more interesting even with 20 or 25% discount on list price ? I have no issues with this rental companies for the professional activities . I always take photos before/after the rental and do not take any extra insurance that what we have included in our package.

When are Sixt ever cheaper -during a private rental – even when they give a double upgrade from Compact to Standard ?

Am I looking at the wrong websites where Sixt would ever appear at a lower price point or is their offering/portfolio aimed at clients who absolutely want a German made car ?

[davefl]

I’ve had 2 recent rentals with Sixt in Argentina and Uruguay. Matched to Platinum with my Mariott status and the rates weren’t great. Subsituted a Best West Diamond match that was still on my account from several years ago and the rates dropped considerably. Also got a very nice upgrade in Uruguay on a one way rental with no surchage.

Everywhere else I’ve tried to book with them the price differential has been stupid.

Not sure what you mean about wanting a german made car. None of the stock I’ve seen at Sixt has been German. French, Japanese, American and others.

[masaccio]

Sixt was cheapest for me in Cusco but that’s the only time I’ve used them in many years of looking.

To my surprise, in the US for me this year, Hertz direct seems to be the winner even over rentalcars.com.

[The Savage Squirrel]

“the CDP associated with MCWE or the AWD of my employer“

Am I the only one who has no idea what this means?

Anyway, just finished a Sixt rental in Aus where they must have been competitive for me to make the booking. Also booked in Spain not so long ago.

Whatever status I have (the one linked to Marriott) seems to make no difference to anything in terms of service or car offered (much like most car rental statuses IME) – I ignore them entirely as a factor when choosing bookings.

Never found any of the big name international firms to be remotely competitive in Portugal – smaller local firms generally half the price albeit with older (but perfectly serviceable) vehicles, which is fine by me. A few minutes internet research and you can generally identify the decent ones – never had an issue with sharp practice there.

[The real Swiss Tony]

The Savage Squirrel wrote:

“the CDP associated with MCWE or the AWD of my employer“

Am I the only one who has no idea what this means?

Certainly don’t want this to look like I’m having a go at Perigord24400 as a relatively new poster but top tip – do lay off the acronyms, especially when they’re getting this obscure.

CDP is the Hertz discount code
MCWE is I assume MasterCard World Elite
AWD is the Avis discount code

[Travel Strong]

These really aren’t obscure acronyms – the above definitions don’t explain what CDP and AWD stand for because they are just the discount acronyms used when talking about hire cars.

Anyway, just one point on sixt status : the one time they were a good price (1 in the last 30 probably), the status benefit of skipping the line was very beneficial that day.
… But of course you usually get that with avis/hertz too

[TJ]

I found Sixt (with Marriott Platinum status) a fair bit cheaper than the competition in Perth, Australia recently. They also double upgraded me.

[Perigord24400]

Thanks all for your replies and advice on the acronyms.

Indeed @The real Swiss Tony you were 100% accurate.

1- Noted for portugal which seems to have a lot of “franchise Partners” there, instead of affiliate/subsidiaries of the major rental companies.
2- Noted the other Major’s like Avis/Hertz can be “punchier” on charges in mainstream countries.
3- Noted for the info in other countries around the world where Sixt seems to be able to hold its place

Thanks very much at least I know where to look this summer for four wheels near Porto…