National - Better to reserve in advance? Or upgrade at the counter...

Hello! New to FT :) and looking for a little advice...

I'm renting a car 1-way for 10 days from SFO to LAX picking up early in the morning Friday 1st June...

I am trying to decide a) whether to rent from Hertz or National (I've got #1 gold status at hertz but only because of their free promotion) and b) whether to book a nicer car online (premium) or book a standard/fullsize and try to upgrade at the counter.

I was going to book a Premium...but having read various comments on here (and from prior experience) would REALLY like to avoid a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis.

Any advice gratefully received! :p

Could you live with driving a full size or standard-class car if premium cars are sold out or the upgrade charge is very high?

A fullsize car wouldn't be an issue...it's not space I need really...

Just something a bit nicer to drive :)

Let me suggest you join the Emerald Club. SFO is a big location, and an Emerald Aisle (you choose) location. Reserve Full size and you could pick from the full size Emerald Reserve row or the Emerald Aisle - with no surcharge for the upgrade if you found a Premium car on either.

The standard premium has become the Toyota Avalon, not the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. While there are a few left around, it seems that National has been rolling out the Avalon on a big way across the country. So that would likely be your premium. Of course you could show up and find a row of Crown Vics too...so YMMV. Might be worth making the double reservation in case the EA or ES works out.