Hertz - [DSM] PCAR Class Questions

Hello and good evening to everyone here at flyertalk!

I chanced upon this site while looking for clues as to what the trim level/specs are of the cars that are offered by Hertz.

I have booked a FCAR for the coming weekend and managed to secure a one-car class upgrade to PCAR. The nice customer representative on the phone asked for my premium car preference and I told her that I would like a Nissan Maxima. That was my pre-flyertalk research.

Now that I have read some Ride Reports, I am heavily contemplating on having it switched to a Buick Lacrosse. What do all experienced sifu's of flyertalk recommend?

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TL;DR

DSM, received free FCAR -> PCAR upgrade

1. What premium cars can I come to expect at DSM?
2. Following off #1, which cars are recommended?

Thank you very much for taking the time for reading this thread.

Best regards,
Jeremy

Des Moines, hmmm... it's not a real big location so don't expect too much. Maybe you'll get lucky with a LaCrosse if you call in advance and ask. Otherwise I'd expect a Maxima or Crown Vic/Grand Marquis.

As for what's recommended, of course the LaCrosse is your best bet, otherwise you're probably best off in a Maxima (although the Regal is pretty nice as well from what I hear).

-J.

Don't get your hopes to high. If they are out of (G) class cars which they are a lot. You will recieve a camry or YF car as an "upgrade"

Don't get your hopes to high. If they are out of (G) class cars which they are a lot. You will recieve a camry or YF car as an "upgrade"

That's true... OP you're better off using a PC to save money than the upgrade PC, you'll probably get a "YF" which is a FCAR with the letter "Y" in front of it in most cases (i.e. meaningless, just a normal full-size). PC# 168210 will save you $5 a day, see if that helps. You'll probably get a YF anyway FWIW.

-J.

Des Moines, hmmm... it's not a real big location so don't expect too much. Maybe you'll get lucky with a LaCrosse if you call in advance and ask. Otherwise I'd expect a Maxima or Crown Vic/Grand Marquis.

As for what's recommended, of course the LaCrosse is your best bet, otherwise you're probably best off in a Maxima (although the Regal is pretty nice as well from what I hear).

-J.
That's true... OP you're better off using a PC to save money than the upgrade PC, you'll probably get a "YF" which is a FCAR with the letter "Y" in front of it in most cases (i.e. meaningless, just a normal full-size). PC# 168210 will save you $5 a day, see if that helps. You'll probably get a YF anyway FWIW.

-J.
Hi J.,

Thank you for the reply! I know it's a long shot but I wanted to have the Premium instead of a Full Size. :D A quick call to the DSM location today confirmed that they only have a Camry in the lot. Hopefully they will have either a LaCrosse/Maxima this weekend.

My plan is to head to the pickup location early and 'scout' their lot. If they do not have either the LaCrosse/Maxima, I'll call Hertz and have them change it to the PC code #168210. (I was actually going to use this PC# but heck, I wanted the extra space and comfort, not to mention the grunt of a bigger car). ;)

Don't get your hopes to high. If they are out of (G) class cars which they are a lot. You will recieve a camry or YF car as an "upgrade"
I'll be crossing my fingers everyday until this weekend. :p

Hi J.,
...
My plan is to head to the pickup location early and 'scout' their lot. If they do not have either the LaCrosse/Maxima, I'll call Hertz and have them change it to the PC code #168210. (I was actually going to use this PC# but heck, I wanted the extra space and comfort, not to mention the grunt of a bigger car). ;)


Ask them to apply the PC at the rental desk if they give you the Camry (remember, YF is technically an "upgrade" from F)... you could spend 20 minutes on hold and then you'll get an automated message saying an agent will call you back.

Have a good trip :)

-J.

Ask them to apply the PC at the rental desk if they give you the Camry (remember, YF is technically an "upgrade" from F)... you could spend 20 minutes on hold and then you'll get an automated message saying an agent will call you back.

Have a good trip :)

-J.
Can they actually apply PC codes at the desk? The Hertz representative on the phone told me that PC codes can only be applied through phone and online bookings. :eek:

Can they actually apply PC codes at the desk? The Hertz representative on the phone told me that PC codes can only be applied through phone and online bookings. :eek:

I thought they could... when booking online some PCs say they are added and will be applied at check-in (e.g., the underage PC) so I assumed they could.

-J.

I thought they could... when booking online some PCs say they are added and will be applied at check-in (e.g., the underage PC) so I assumed they could.

-J.
I'll probably give it a shot at the counter. If they are unable to add the PC code there, I will just give the Hertz hotline a call and have them add it to my reservation. :D

My plan is to head to the pickup location early and 'scout' their lot. If they do not have either the LaCrosse/Maxima, I'll call Hertz and have them change it to the PC code #168210. (I was actually going to use this PC# but heck, I wanted the extra space and comfort, not to mention the grunt of a bigger car). ;)

I have rented here alot and dont see alot of turnover. Cant remember ever seeing a Maxima or LaCrosse.

My plan is to head to the pickup location early and 'scout' their lot. If they do not have either the LaCrosse/Maxima, I'll call Hertz and have them change it to the PC code #168210. (I was actually going to use this PC# but heck, I wanted the extra space and comfort, not to mention the grunt of a bigger car). ;)

I have rented here alot and dont see alot of turnover. Cant remember ever seeing a Maxima or LaCrosse.

Oh no! That does not sound good. Oh well, I guess all I can do now is to have my fingers crossed!

That said, a Camry/Malibu would actually suffice (if they don't have any nice PCAR's). :cool:

The Maxima is nothing to write home about. I much prefer the 2013 Taurus.

The Maxima is nothing to write home about. I much prefer the 2013 Taurus.
I guess the only thing I'm looking forward to is that VQ35DE. :p

(I was actually going to use this PC# but heck, I wanted the extra space and comfort, not to mention the grunt of a bigger car). ;)

I guess the only thing I'm looking forward to is that VQ35DE. :p

FWIW you get 10 more horsepower in an Impala than in a Maxima (as well as a real transmission and a huge trunk)... @:-)

-J.

FWIW you get 10 more horsepower in an Impala than in a Maxima (as well as a real transmission and a huge trunk)... @:-)

-J.
Jeez, I must have not done as much research as I have thought! Thanks for the useful information! :)