Holidays are meant to pause the fast-paced world we live in — a time to relax and enjoy the days off, stress-free. At least, this is what a vacation should feel like. Unfortunately, around 70% of Americans see holidays and stressful experiences as part of the same “package deal.” According to a YouGov report, many US citizens feel a lot of pressure when booking a holiday, with the most frustrating things to check off the list being airport transfers and flights. By the time the passengers arrive at their destination, they are already exhausted.
But fear not, dear Americans, as a pack of adorable golden retrievers is roaming free in airports around the country, wagging their tails to bring you a bit of comfort in these stressful times. However, their mission doesn’t stop here: The pack also promotes car rental company Hertz‘s Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program.
So, during one of the busiest weekends of travel season, passengers present at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) hit the golden ticket as they were surprised to meet the “Gold Squad” — a highly trained team of doggos — which greeted them with an adorable amount of comfort when they needed it most.
“We know the last leg of travel can be draining, so we’re bringing in the Hertz Gold Squad to change that and offer comfort, calm, and a few cuddles during peak travel times to select airports,” Kari Birdsall, Hertz Vice President of Operations Excellence, explained to USA TODAY via an email.
“This is the Gold Squad and we want to make people feel golden,” Lauren Luster, Hertz spokesperson, said of the dogs. “You can join Gold Plus Rewards and skip the counter in your future trips, that makes you feel golden.” According to Luster, the dogs come from local service dog organizations and are expertly trained. Also, being kept in open spaces in the rental car areas at the airports, people can choose if they want to interact with the furry ambassadors or not.
The initiative, which was implemented with the help of PREACHER agency, was a huge hit, prompting the brand to plan the pack’s next appearances in other airports around the country. The new destinations will be chosen by the public, who are invited to comment on Hertz’s Instagram post. The selected airports will feature giveaways and on-site support to help customers join Hertz’s free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program.
“With the Hertz ‘Gold Squad’ making surprise appearances across the country, we’re aiming to delight customers with something unexpected,” explained Birdsall. “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.”
CREDITS
Brand: Hertz
Agency: PREACHER
