Avis - Avis at Sea-Tac - what to expect in terms of cars and serivce?

I am planning to rent a car at Sea-Tac early November for about two weeks and I'm considering premium or luxury category (or perhaps standard SUV). How does the Avis station there rank generally in terms of service and car selection? Does anyone know which cars they have most likely available in those two categories (would be interested in M300 or DTS)?

Also if anyone has a good deal/coupon at hand, I'd be interested. :D
Currently I found the best deal using my Avis preferred card.

Thanks!

As far as cars, I rented Hertz last time I was at Seatac and Avis had the best car selection by far. We walked by and saw lots of Cadillacs, new Camaros, and everything looked clean and new. Can't say about service unfortunately as I haven't rented from them yet.

I rent from Avis once a month at Seatac. I don't try to get nice cars, as I just need transportation, but I will post a few comments that might be useful to you.

1. They have lots of different kinds of cars. I have been given Mustangs, small SUVs, and even once I got an H3 (Hummer), always having reserved a subcompact lol. However, they seem to have lots of different kinds of cars every time I go.
2. the service "depends". I signed up for the avis first or whatever it is called (the free one) so I can just walk to my car and go. That is nice, because sometimes waiting in line inside takes FOREVER. So, I recommend that if you don't have it already. Since I am a frequent traveller, this saves me 30 minutes each trip.
3. they ALWAYS ask for the gas receipt, so I always bring one to avoid the fuel charge.
4. they recently added all sorts of fees for smoking in the car. I don't smoke, but perhaps you care more than I do.
5. sometimes they mess up my reservation and don't put me on the board outside. I always go to the place outside to get a car - that is faster than inside if you are already in their system.

(I book through a negotiated corporate rate, so I can't help you on codes).

I don't try to get nice cars, as I just need transportation, but I will post a few comments that might be useful to you.

5. sometimes they mess up my reservation and don't put me on the board outside. I always go to the place outside to get a car - that is faster than inside if you are already in their system.

I rent here several times a year (just returned). I also can't help you much on the high-end cars. But I can tell you that, unfortunately, it's a routinely poor experience for me renting here (and I don't have a choice). The regular guy cars are higher mileage than just about anywhere else (I once burned through 3 cars with obvious maintenance problems before even getting out of the parking lot). The buses are packed. And my name is left off the reader board more often then not. This causes me to have to go to the Preferred center, which is often a significant wait. So I wish you a better experience than I generally have. On the positive side, returning the car is always a piece of cake!

I rent from Avis once a month at Seatac. I don't try to get nice cars, as I just need transportation, but I will post a few comments that might be useful to you.

1. They have lots of different kinds of cars. I have been given Mustangs, small SUVs, and even once I got an H3 (Hummer), always having reserved a subcompact lol. However, they seem to have lots of different kinds of cars every time I go.
2. the service "depends". I signed up for the avis first or whatever it is called (the free one) so I can just walk to my car and go. That is nice, because sometimes waiting in line inside takes FOREVER. So, I recommend that if you don't have it already. Since I am a frequent traveller, this saves me 30 minutes each trip.[...]

(I book through a negotiated corporate rate, so I can't help you on codes).

Thanks for this valuable feedback. I'm there on vacation and will do a little bit of driving, that's why I want to go for a car in the upper categories. Since I don't want to be stuck with a mid-size for two weeks (for obvious reasons such as comfort, room for the luggage etc.). I have an AVIS Preferred card, but only the free one - actually I got signed up by a friend who works for Avis in Germany but I don't think that makes any difference. I'm currently comparing rates and it seems no problem to get a car for 16 days for 600 Euro (all in) in my desired categories, which is ok to me. I arrive at Sea-Tac in the early afternoon on a Thursday, so I assume it will be rather busy. Is there any chance to ask on location about the car which they have assigned to me - and potentially ask for alternative models - before I take the key? Or is that not feasible? Thanks also for the tip about the gas receipt.

Is there any chance to ask on location about the car which they have assigned to me - and potentially ask for alternative models - before I take the key? Or is that not feasible?

Certainly. Some people will survey the lot before going to the counter. Ask for what you want; if in the reserved car class the agent should give it to you.

The buses are packed.

Are you really thinking of Seattle, here? I just rented there last week and you walk from the terminal to the garage. No busses required.

I did get a relatively high mileage car -- 15,000 miles -- considering I've been getting cars that have <1,000 the last few months. I didn't have to wait around to return the car while employees talked amongst themselves like LAX, which was nice since I was running late.

One thought for saving money is to consider renting from the downtown Seattle location and returning to Sea-Tac. IME, there is no surcharge or higher daily/weekly rate for doing so. And you will save on all the airport rental related fees.

Just take Metro bus #194 to Westlake Center and the Avis location is only three blocks away across form the Westin. The bus ride costs $1.75-2.50, depending on time of day, and generally takes only 30 minutes. It's not that bad of a schlep and it could save you a lot of money. Worth a look.

Are you really thinking of Seattle, here? I just rented there last week and you walk from the terminal to the garage. No busses required.

Wow, you're right. I don't know why I read the original post as being about LAX. Thus rendering all my thoroughly sage advice completely useless. As usual. Sorry, OP. And thanks, tusphotog.