Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - How to upgrade from small car to Minivan? (with limited extra expense)

Hello,

We six people decide to rent a minivan for four days in DCA. It is very expensive (more than 300 in total), while economy car (or even full size car) is only around 100. We decide to first reserve a small car and then ask for the minivan.

Has anyone tried this tactic? What can we offer in exchange for the agent's good will? Say buy a tank of gas?

Thank you!

Offer him $200. That will probably get you a minivan.

You won't get a van in exchange for a tank of gas. I suppose it's worth trying, but I highly doubt you'll be successful.

Try the jackal tip for cheap upgrades:

-Don't look like you need the upgrade. Leave four of the six people back at baggage claim. You don't want the agent thinking that you desperately need an upgrade at any price.
-Let the agent bring up the idea of an upgrade. This puts you in control of the response. (The first person to offer in a negotiation always loses.) Again, you don't want to look too hungry for the upgrade.
-When the agent brings up the idea of an upgrade (probably to a luxury car or nice SUV), play it down on the price. Something like, "Oh, no, I can't afford something like that." Make sure the agent knows price is your major obstacle.
-Bring up the idea of liking the option of spreading out in a minivan, but again, price is a big deal.
-If the agent brings up a price that feels a bit high to you (he or she likely will), again state that the price is a deal-breaker and either name a price that you want to pay (or a little below it) or ask about any further discounts. The key is to get the agent realizing that price is your #1 objection.

Agents do have a lot of flexibility with the rate when it comes to upgrades, and if an agent feels like he or she is losing the sale because the price is too high, they can (and usually will) drop the price. I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to get the minivan for a difference of maybe $20 or even $15 per day, although no guarantees. (Sometimes you get an agent who won't budge, or sometimes there are not many minivans on the lot and the agents may be instructed to hold them for customers willing to pay more.)

There isn't anything here that isn't part of basic negotiating 101, but that's a concept that most Americans aren't familiar with, so I've had to explain it on these forums many times. :)

Thank you jackal!!
I will definitely try your tip.

Thank you jackal!!
I will definitely try your tip.

That's great advice from jackal as always. However, be aware that by the time you arrive there may be no more minivans. If they're sold out then you're going to be really out of luck. It might be worth it to pay the extra price especially when you think that $200 divided by 6 guys isn't all that awful.

Thanks! I have my backup plan.

That's great advice from jackal as always. However, be aware that by the time you arrive there may be no more minivans. If they're sold out then you're going to be really out of luck. It might be worth it to pay the extra price especially when you think that $200 divided by 6 guys isn't all that awful.

Has anyone tried this tactic?

Yes, and they probably get (very) squeezed into an economy car :D (sorry, could not resist it . . .)

And, unless you know how to make it rain, jackal's suggestions are as good as it gets.

(Good Luck! :))