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.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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.

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