I recently reserved a misized car from Thrifty about 30 days in advance of my trip. When I arrived at the rental counter exactly at the time of my reservation, I was told that they were out of midsize cars and would have to give me a minivan. I stated that I didn't want a minivan, and would take a midsize car or if they didn't have one, a full size car. The agent refused, saying that although they had full size cars he wouldn't upgrade me and if I wanted a car at all I had to take a mini-van or pay for a full size. Can they do this? He claimed it was company policy and all the rental companies have a similar policy. I have never run into this kind of attitude before, usually they just upgrade me if they don't have the car class I reserved. Funny thing was, after I asked him to call his supervisor so I could verify this "company policy" he miraculously came up with a midsize for me.

My experience with Thrifty when they offer you the minivan or the PT Cruiser saying that they are out of the full size that I reserved is that they are very accommodating if I refuse these and ask them for any kind of "real, actual car, with a trunk." They have at these times come up with a free upgrade to a 300 or, if they need to downgrade me, I have been generously credited for taking the smaller car.