Car Hire partners

Hey all.

I'm trying to find a decent VS car hire partner for a trip I've got next month. Looking through the Flying Club partners page it looks like Sixt are the only ones that offer benefits for FC Gold members, such as discounts, upgrades and such. Unfortunately they don't have an outlet at SNA airport where I'll be collecting, so it looks like they're out.
Am I right in thinking that there used to be a closer partnership with Hertz who offered something similar?
I'm honestly not very familiar with the different car hire loyalty schemes so if anyone has any experience/recommendations I'd be very grateful

[Neil]

To be honest, I think car hire loyalty schemes are vastly over rated. I'm Hertz PC and apart from a few bonus points and a closer bay, I don't notice any other benefits.
Upgrades are only to a certain level of car and I always hire above it anyway .
The very fact you're looking for some sort of loyalty benefit, without being a regular customer of theirs, is a big part of the problem in general. To many companies give status away nowadays to partners etc, that is just devalues any real benefits for those truly regular to that specific brand.
Specifically with VS, you can earn some FC miles on most, but otherwise I would personally find a good deal online and book that.
Neil

Yep I'd go along with that.

For example, back in March I went to MCO for 1 week with a friend and the best price was with Avis via the FC website, so I got the FC miles. However, in September when I'm going for longer and with family (so bigger car needed), we've booked with Dollar as they offered the best price for our needs and the difference in price far outweighed any temptation to go with another firm just to get the points.

Best advice is to shop around and look at both the non-partner firms and the special websites some firms have setup for FC members, then go with whoever's offering the best price for your needs.

Thanks both.

I wound up booking the car via virgin holidays in the end.