National - Downgraded = Automatic rate adjust?

So apparantly I was downgraded on my recent rental at YVR. I picked a 2009 Taurus Limited AWD from their Premium row, but when I checked my rental receipt it said I had taken a Fullsize 2/4 Door, and being an Exec Elite I was billed at the midsize rate.

Is this standard procedure at National? I'm asking as I'm looking into a one-way rental where the only car class that offers unlimited mileage is Fullsize SUV. Since I don't want to drive a guzzler, what happens if I take something else, say a Rondo or an Escape? If the rate automatically changes, I get knocked down to a rate that only includes 600 km for what is around a 4,500 km trip. It could get expensive!

Ah yes....the Taurus is now classified as a full size. So at least they billed you correctly. But for some reason unknown to man, the Buick Allure is now a Premium?? Gross....

JasYHZ

Ah yes....the Taurus is now classified as a full size. So at least they billed you correctly. But for some reason unknown to man, the Buick Allure is now a Premium?? Gross....

JasYHZ

As I said in one of the other forums, my theory is that all car rental companies classify their cars by throwing darts blindfolded at a spinning pie wheel of car classes in the back office...

The interesting thing is I was more than willing to drive off in a loaded Taurus and call it a Premium. I didn't realize it was a downgrade until after I got back. I would've let it slide anyways as I'd never driven a new Taurus, but next time I'll know to ask for something else or change my reservation to another (lower) car class.

I'll call the Allure a Premium as long as they equip it properly. A 4-cylinder car with cloth seats is NOT premium. Put in the V6 and some leather and we'll talk. Remember, the point of the Premium category is to give business travellers a nicer vehicle to impress their clients rather than some humdrum Sonata or PT Cruiser. And as National is allegedly the business brand, they should keep that in mind.

As far as my predicament with the one-way, it occurred to me that National would probably have no reason to honour my original rate if I picked a different car. They obviously put the mileage caps on everything else for a reason. My guess is due to the Olympics coming up that they're trying to keep as many cars in town as possible. However, why the Fullsize SUVs are are more disposable than anything else is a mystery...

I'll call the Allure a Premium as long as they equip it properly. A 4-cylinder car with cloth seats is NOT premium.

The Buick Allure has never been offered with a 4-cylinder engine. Neither is the 2010 replacement - the Buck LaCrosse (yes, GM Canada is finally using the LaCrosse name in Canada and they are spelling it with a capital "C").

The Buick Allure has never been offered with a 4-cylinder engine. Neither is the 2010 replacement - the Buck LaCrosse (yes, GM Canada is finally using the LaCrosse name in Canada and they are spelling it with a capital "C").

I just double-checked and am very relieved! I think some international markets are getting the LaCrosse with the 2.4 litre Ecotec motor, but not us! I still want leather though... :D

Actually, I think I am wrong. Buick HAS announced the 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine for the LaCrosse, though neither the GM US or GM Canada website currently shows a 4 cylinder engine as being available.

Maybe they're saving the 4 cylinder for fleet (i.e. car rental company) sales? :(

Actually, I think I am wrong. Buick HAS announced the 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine for the LaCrosse, though neither the GM US or GM Canada website currently shows a 4 cylinder engine as being available.

Maybe they're saving the 4 cylinder for fleet (i.e. car rental company) sales? :(

That could be, actually. I remember GM did that with the Chevrolet Lumina in the early '90s. Originally it came standard with the 2.2 litre 4-cylinder found in many GM cars of the day, but poor sales relegated it to fleet sales only, as consumer models came standard with the 3.1 litre V6.

I'm tempted to say that if I cranked up a LaCrosse on the Premium aisle only to hear the infamous Cobalt-style groan as it labours to warm up that I would politely excuse myself and pick something else. However, I'll give it a try at least once...