Tag: Hertz

  • Hertz Makes Holiday Travel Golden with Gold Squad’s Final 2025 Stop at Newark Airport

    Hertz Makes Holiday Travel Golden with Gold Squad’s Final 2025 Stop at Newark Airport

     Hertz extends its Gold Squad Golden Retriever ambassador program into 2026

    ESTERO, Fla., Dec. 18, 2025 – After debuting its nationwide Hertz Gold Squad program earlier this year, Hertz is bringing its beloved team of highly-trained Golden Retrievers to Newark Liberty International Airport for their final 2025 appearance with plans to continue spreading joy into 2026. As millions of Americans hit the road for what is expected to be one of the busiest holiday travel seasons in years, the Gold Squad will greet travelers with comfort, joy, and surprise perks during peak December travel days.

    Newark, one of Hertz’s top 10 holiday rental hotspots, will be the last stop before the Gold Squad returns in 2026 with an expanded lineup of airport and event appearances across the country.

    “The Gold Squad has been a bright spot for travelers throughout the year, and Newark is the perfect place for their final stop in 2025,” said Adnan Manzur SVP, North America Customer Operations at Hertz. “Holiday travel can be hectic, and a few minutes with a Gold Squad Golden Retriever can make the whole journey feel a little more golden.”

    Holiday Travel Trends: What Travelers Should Know
    With significantly lower gas prices this year, the roadways are going to be especially busy. According to Hertz’s travel partner AAA, more than 109 million Americans will hit the road this holiday season – up by over two million from last year. Based on Hertz data, here’s what to know before you go:

    • December 20 is expected to be the busiest rental car pick-up day nationwide.
    • Top 10 Holiday Hotspots:
      1. Orlando
      2. Los Angeles
      3. Atlanta
      4. Miami
      5. Phoenix
      6. Newark
      7. Dallas
      8. Boston
      9. Chicago
      10. Las Vegas
    • Trending Destinations: Miami, Palm Springs, and Phoenix are seeing the biggest jumps in year-over-year rental car demand.
    • Fresh New Rides: Hertz customers will be among the first to drive thousands of 2026 vehicles now on the road, including the Cadillac CT5, Volvo XC60, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Jeep Grand Wagoneer and more.

    Here are some of Hertz’s Golden Travel Tips:

    • Reserve early as possible for the most vehicle availability and widest selection.
    • Check out Hertz’s vehicle guide to find the perfect vehicle to fit all your passengers, luggage, and gifts this holiday season.
    • Add flight details to your reservation so Hertz can monitor delays and adjust accordingly.
    • Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (it’s free to sign up!) to access exclusive member discounts, skip the counter at select locations, earn points redeemable for free rental days and more.
    • Check Hertz neighborhood locations for additional availability during peak travel times.

    About the Hertz Gold Squad
    Launched earlier this year, the Hertz Gold Squad is a team of highly trained Golden Retrievers that specialize in providing comfort in busy environments, such as airports and large events. They were selected for their calm temperament and ability to interact safely with travelers. Each dog works with a certified handler to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

    The pups have visited airports across the U.S. throughout 2025, delighting customers with soothing interactions, photo moments, and plenty of pets.

    Newark is the last stop for 2025, with additional locations and appearances planned for 2026. Travelers can follow the Squad and share where they’d like to see the pups next on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok.

    *Travel data based on Hertz advance bookings as of Dec. 10, 2025.

    About Hertz
    Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com.

  • Hertz Brings Golden Retriever ‘Gold Squad’ to Airports Nationwide

    Hertz Brings Golden Retriever ‘Gold Squad’ to Airports Nationwide

    Golden Retrievers to greet weary travelers at select U.S. airports; Travelers help to pick next ‘Gold Squad’ destination

    Estero, Fla., Aug. 25, 2025 – As the busy Labor Day weekend approaches, Hertz, one of the world’s largest car rental companies, is seeking to comfort stressed travelers. With a mission to make travelers feel golden, Hertz is bringing its ‘Gold Squad’ – a team of highly trained Golden Retrievers – to select airports across the country. These friendly, furry ambassadors aim to bring comfort, calm and cuddles during peak travel times, ensuring all Hertz customers hit the road with a smile.

    “With the Hertz ‘Gold Squad’ making surprise appearances across the country, we’re aiming to delight customers with something unexpected,” said Kari Birdsall, Vice President, Operations Excellence at Hertz. “Whether it’s a warm welcome from a Golden Retriever or the ease of skipping the counter with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, we’re focused on making every step of the rental experience feel convenient, seamless and a little more golden.”

    Why it Matters:

    • A recent study from YouGov indicates 70% of Americans find booking a vacation stressful, with specific pain points including booking airport transfers and flights.
    • The rental car lot at an airport is often the last leg of a trip; and by the time travelers reach the counter, they’re often exhausted from a long day of traveling.
    • With over 17 million travelers braving the holiday weekend in 2024, this year is sure to bring even more of a frenzy to flying.

     

    The Hertz ‘Gold Squad,’ including Cooper the Golden Retriever, made their debut at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) last week, providing comfort to thousands of travelers. Now, they want to surprise travelers in additional cities like Chicago, San Diego and Atlanta, but before they head out, they’re inviting travelers to share their opinion on social to decide future stops. To make that final trek feel golden, the Hertz ‘Gold Squad’ are ready to greet travelers with wagging tails and warm smiles as they await their next destination.

    Select airports will host ‘Gold Squad’ visits, featuring exclusive giveaways and on-site support to help travelers enroll in Hertz’s free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program, which makes future car rentals faster, easier and more rewarding. Members can enjoy exclusive rates when booking on Hertz.com or the Hertz app, skip the counter at select locations, and earn points redeemable for free rental days and more.

     

    To bark your opinion for the ‘Gold Squad’s’ next location, travelers can comment on Hertz’s recent post. To travel along with the Hertz ‘Gold Squad’, follow Hertz on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok and learn more at hertz.com/goldsquad.

    About Hertz
    Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com.