Hertz - Grand Marquis upgrades...

I book full size (F) because that's what I want to drive. On about 1/3 of my rentals (this has happend 4 times now) Hertz tries to force me into a G car...Grand Marquis.

I have never driven a Grand Marquis, and don't want to, because that car is way too big for my needs and is too difficult to park.

I always need to beg and plead to get them to give me the car class I have booked. This weekend in TPA, the counter agent insisted there was no available Taurus with Never Lost. I pushed the issue and he magically found one. Turns out it was a low mileage one that was parked in the Gold area(I am not Gold).

In FLL I pushed the issue and got upgraded to a Volvo (what a treat). In BTV, they insisted there were no F cars. I went to the lot and saw a half dozen. Then they magically found me keys to a Taurus.

Bottom line... I am sick of having to argue my way out of renting a Grand Marquis. And I am sick of Hertz staff lying to me about what cars are available.

You might try joing #1 Club Gold. I can think of only one time that I didn't get exactly what i reserved (usually F, I remember getting an explorer once instead).

Get Hertz #1 Club Gold (though I don't think this is a good way to avoid upgrades) and have them put a notation not to upgrade you in your profile.

or rent in the UK where they v rarely upgrade other than for 5* and above members. Ive seen people turn up, particularly USians, asking about an upgrade and seeming almost quite shocked to find that since they booked class D they get a class D car.

Dave

...dup

[This message has been edited by Dave Noble (edited 05-07-2002).]

Happens all the time even if you are gold. I usually call and have them not to upgrade my reservations. As for lying, just because the car is in the lot doesn't mean they are lying. It could be held for a gold member.

I'm sorry, I don't understand...you are upset because they are trying to *upgrade* you? Granted the cars might be bigger, but a car is a car. It's not like they are asking you to drive a Suburban. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickyD:
I'm sorry, I don't understand...you are upset because they are trying to *upgrade* you? Granted the cars might be bigger, but a car is a car. It's not like they are asking you to drive a Suburban. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

</font>

Yes, but if you booked a group F because that is what you want to drive, being given a G is not good is it? Most people may not mind, but it shouldn't be happening should it?

Dave

answer is simple, IMHO a grand marquis is NOT an upgrade from a tauraus, they are the same class (both sucks), just different size, and grand marquis eats gas, handles like a boat, and makes me feel like i'm in florida.

I bet if Dave booked a F and found out there's a 4-door brand new Benz S600 (bigger than grand marquis) waiting at the hertz lot he would not be complaining about F or G.

Help me out here, I'm not very familiar with the Grand Marquis. I usually get a Mini-Van or a 4-door SUV when travelling with my family; and have always gotten a Taurus when travellign alone.

How much bigger is the Grand Marquis? Is it roomier or have more trunk space? It may work as an alternative my SUV or mini-van rentals in the future.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ConsultantA:
answer is simple, IMHO a grand marquis is NOT an upgrade from a tauraus, they are the same class (both sucks), just different size, and grand marquis eats gas, handles like a boat, and makes me feel like i'm in florida.

I bet if Dave booked a F and found out there's a 4-door brand new Benz S600 (bigger than grand marquis) waiting at the hertz lot he would not be complaining about F or G.</font>

I wouldn't complain but then I wasn't the one complaining about getting upgrades http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I used to liked booking a group C and having a BMW delivered to me. Won't catch me complaining about that.

I can see, however, that if someone booked a car because that is group that they want to have, to get another group may be unwanted.

Personally, I refuse to accept "upgrades" if it is an "upgrade" to a station wagon. If I book a car I will not accept a wagon.

Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave Noble (edited 05-08-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickyD:
I'm sorry, I don't understand...you are upset because they are trying to *upgrade* you? Granted the cars might be bigger, but a car is a car. It's not like they are asking you to drive a Suburban. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

</font>

don't be so sure. i've been upgraded from F to Ford Excursion in atlanta. :-)

(seriously, if it happens again, i'll go get something smaller. i couldn't park that thing.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickyD:
How much bigger is the Grand Marquis? Is it roomier or have more trunk space? It may work as an alternative my SUV or mini-van rentals in the future. </font>

the grand marquis is a very roomy car--plenty of back seat room, and a spacious trunk. i had one for four days at christmas, and carried 4 decent size people and their luggage when plenty of room to spare.

want to try the back seat? hail a cab.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickyD:
Help me out here, I'm not very familiar with the Grand Marquis. I usually get a Mini-Van or a 4-door SUV when travelling with my family; and have always gotten a Taurus when travellign alone.

How much bigger is the Grand Marquis? Is it roomier or have more trunk space? It may work as an alternative my SUV or mini-van rentals in the future. </font>


the Grand Marquis is quite huge. It can seat 6 people but with four people it is is extremely comfortable. The back seat is huge. It certainly has more seating space than a standard SUV, though probably a bit less trunk space (but still has a cavernous trunk). It's pretty much the same size as a Lincoln Town Car.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Seat1A:
don't be so sure. i've been upgraded from F to Ford Excursion in atlanta. :-)

(seriously, if it happens again, i'll go get something smaller. i couldn't park that thing.)</font>

At Chicago, they tried to "upgrade" me from a group D to a Land Rover Discovery. They seemed a bit miffed when I refused to take it.

Dave

The notion that a bigger car is a better car is a bit annoying. But for most people less annoying than vice versa.

My mom was once upgraded to a Town Car, but found even with the seat moved all the way forward, she was still too short to reach the pedals.

For those unfamiliar with the Grand Marquis, it's the Mercury name for the Ford Crown Victoria. The Crown Vic is a common police car/taxicab in the States. Fairly large. Fairly roomy. Fairly poor mileage 17/24 mpg vs 20/28 for the Taurus.

cnk

We own a 1995 Grand Marquis; our previous car was a Taurus. There really is no comparison between the two. The Grand Marquis is a body on chassis construction with rear wheel drive powered by a V-8. Most cars these days are unibody construction.

Besudes being a twin to the Ford Crown Victoria, the chassis and drive train are the same ones used for the Lincoln Town Car. So the Grand Marquis is virtually a cousin of the Town Car. One difference between the Grand Marquis and Town Car is that the Lincoln is a bit longer that the Marquis (different body naturally), hence more interior space in the Town Car.

My Taurus was a 6-cylinder (V-8 not available) front wheel drive unibody constructed car; I believe a 4-cylinder is still an option. It wasn't a bad car, but I needed a larger vehicle so I traded it in on the Mercury.

The Grand Marquis is a full size sedan that is rock solid with lots of interior room. The trunk is definitely huge. Gas mileage for a big car with a V-8 isn't bad, I'm getting 18.8 mpg right now with mostly city driving. By the way, the engine drinks REGULAR gas, not premium. On the freeway we usually average between 24 and 26 mpg. Handling takes some getting used to as the steering is light; forget road feel as there isn't any. Yeah, it handles like a parade float but it's nice sitting in a big comfortable car on long road trips.

Needless to say I love my Grand Marquis!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">...want to try the back seat? hail a cab.[/B]</font>

or break the law... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickyD:
It's not like they are asking you to drive a Suburban.</font>


you haven't driven a Grand Marquis de Sade lately, have ya? When you are used to a Taurus size vehicle, a big old boat like your grandfather used to drive is a pain. I usually get stuck with 'em when I'm having to do something like get on a ferry in Washington/BC. Can't hardly open the doors on the darn thing.

On the upside, an upgrade to a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis is good if you will be doing a lot of night-time driving. Quick glance in the rear view mirror, and the car in front of you thinks you are an unmarked police cruiser. Clears that fast lane on the I-5 right away!

*chuckle* I have a Full sized reserved through Hertz in STL in two weeks. Maybe, they'll upgrade me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I opted to not get the Mini-van this time; though we'll be travelling with our 2 year old, his car seat, stroller, and one suitcase each. (All of this for a three day trip. :P )

(I may change my mind and pay for an upgrade on the spot if I can't make everything fit!)

The "teenagers" (ok,so I am over 50) at the Hertz counters think they are doing me a favor when they offer to "upgrade" me to a "Crown Vic." They are so surprised when I ask for a Mazda or Toyota or the Subaru legacy, which seems to be the upgrade car of choice right now. Usually, I just stay with the Taurus or Sable they have pre-assigned me.

And it does work to put something in your profile. My wife has in her profile that she likes japanese cars with CD players...not that she gets them but at least it's in her profile :-)

I get bumped from the Taurus (which is fine with me) to the the Grand Marquis in Fort Lauderdale and Miami pretty often (I'm Gold/President's Circle) but much prefer the Volvo or the Jaguar (all 3 sizes) - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Also got the giant Hyundai once - that must be what it was like to drive Brezhnev around. I've thought about putting no upgrade in my profile to avoid the GM, but then I'd miss out on the Volvo, etc.

I have given the GM back a couple of times in Seattle - I was headed to Vancouver/Victoria and didn't want to gulp gas at Canadian prices! The Seattle counter was very understanding, and switched me over quickly.

yeah I gambled and lost the last time I was at SEA. was hoping for the SAAB 9000, got the GM instead. counter told me that all the SAAB's are gone...

I agree with the original post. The problem with the GM is not only its size but its soft ride. If you're in stop and go traffic, the nose dives as you get into the brakes. The body rolls going through corners as well. They have me one at LAX once. After driving it for a couple of hours I took it back and demanded another car. Got a Nissan Maxima that was great.