American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Car Rental Question

well, my honeymoon is fast approaching, and we currently have a convertible booked with advantage rent a car - I am getting very concerned about them, the car, etc. so I want to look at AVIS (with presidents club which I just applied for thru centurion) or Hertz - problem of course is that they cost more than double. So I suppose I would love some help on how to get a convertible through a "better" company (I would love sat nav, which again Advantage dont have), and not pay double - I dont mind paying some extra, but not a rediculous amount ?

I dont know if I'll get my presidents club pack in time, but I should have my status updated in time (I leave in 10 days).

I am good at finding hotel deals, but have never had much luck with cars...any assistance/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I hope noone minds me posting here, as it is related to centurion status/deals...

Thanks.

Have you called Centurion travel and asked them for their best rate?

Centurions rates get a sizeable discount over both normal and Platinum card rates. If you have already received your account number, you could also look at Hertz online and if it recognizes your status should give you the special rate also.

Where will you be renting? I live in Denmark but often rent cars in the U.S. By renting through avis.dk, I get incredible all-inclusive rates compared to Avis' normal rates. These include LDW, ALI, all taxes and airport surcharges. The all-inclusive rate is cheaper than the base rate with no insurances and taxes included. I cannot touch Hertz for close to the same rate.

I'm also a new President's Club member thanks to Centurion. I understand we should be entitled to a two-class upgrade based on availability, but this might not work as well since you want a specialty car.

Susan

The reality is there are often much better rates from other companies like Alamo and Thrifty, and overseas (for US cardholders) Sixt. Their facilities are usually equal to those of the big guys. Get over the "Black Card thing". It's fun to play with, but it can't function for the issuer unless they channel you to the high cost provider, which for the most part. means Hertz or Avis.As a Centurion holder for several years, and, by extension an Avis Presidents Club member, I can't remember when an Avis agent even knew I had it. For openers, that deal uses direct billing to a card on file, so you don't show the thing. Secondly, they have higher tiers than President, which they don't tell you about (including one where you just dump the car at the departure terminal, and they come get it). Lastly, the help doesn't even know what the card is, should they see it.

I am thinking Alamo will be the way to go, and forget the sat nav.......(but it would be very handy !!!!).

deelmakur I don't know where you rent from Avis, but everywhere in the world where I rent I get very good service with my Presidents card. They absolutely know about it as the service manager gets a daily report of all the Presidents Club members arriving on that day. It is far and away the best car rental deal you can get without being a corporate CEO or something like that.

Stimpy, I primarily rent at New York airports. It's the easiest, and cheapest way to get to my home in the Connecticut suburbs. At least half the time, the car isn't even ready. They are generally clueless. Funniest experience. Renting in downtown Seattle, the agent, who was wrapped a little tight, noticed I was President's Club, and thanked me for not being overbearing.
Apparently some people take it very seriously. I told her I normally require a salute, but it was Sunday. Don't think she was amused. If you run a scan on Orbitz, you generally find Hertz and Avis 20 to 30 percent higher than the others. If you use Priceline, it is often these same two guys who come up, which begs the question, "who does their pricing"?

IMO, the one most important Centurion benefit in the area of car rentals is the four hour grace period given by Hertz. Many of my business trips involve arriving early afternoon and working thru the next day returning the car in time for an afterwork flight home. Every other company will charge you for two days, but in these cases Hertz charges only for one, cuting it right in half, and there is no way I know of that can beat that allowance.