Hertz - Full Size at DCA - What models are available?

I have a fullsize car booked at DCA for a 3 day weekend rental, got a good deal (I think) thanks to some great info on this forum. $ 71 with taxes and fees for 3 days, cool huh? Used the 1 free day with the TPC cdp code.

I was wondering what sort of cars/models do they have at DCA for fullsize, standard and Midsize, as I am not a big fan of the Taurus, I mean I will even take a downgrade if they have like a Mazda 6 or something in liu of Taurus.

Honestly I could have done okay with the Mid-size, but then I saw they have now listed the Toyota Corolla as a Mid-size car. That really scared me, no way do I want that darn thing.

Any idea/experience with renting at DCA and what I should expect?

Thanks in advance.

Typical stuff from what I could remember, so that means the likelihood of a Taurus or Camry for a F reservation. I've seen a few Grand Prixs and Impalas around as well, but I would suspect they're YF...

Any idea/experience with renting at DCA and what I should expect?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to FlyerTalk :p

I rent the Volvo S80 at DCA, much better than the Taurus (I'm there at least every month), but it is probably a little more $$$ ;)

Gotta take the shuttle over from the terminal (those marked "Rental Cars"), if you're Gold just go straight to the elevator where the cars are (Level 2 or 3??) you think I would remember :confused:

Welcome to FlyerTalk :p

I rent the Volvo S80 at DCA, much better than the Taurus (I'm there at least every month), but it is probably a little more $$$ ;)

Gotta take the shuttle over from the terminal (those marked "Rental Cars"), if you're Gold just go straight to the elevator where the cars are (Level 2 or 3??) you think I would remember :confused:


I know the S80 would be Sweet ;) but am trying to get the best bang for the buck so will stick with a fullsize, and also I don't rent much for work or personal, may be 3 times a year max so don't have Gold or any other membership.

I will just be happy with anything other than Taurus, will post the result once I come back on Monday.

I know the S80 would be Sweet ;) but am trying to get the best bang for the buck so will stick with a fullsize, and also I don't rent much for work or personal, may be 3 times a year max so don't have Gold or any other membership.

I will just be happy with anything other than Taurus, will post the result once I come back on Monday.

Even if you do get a taurus you could always ask them if they have something else available. Or ask them if they have any upgrade specials (but be prepared to drop anywhere between 5 to 30$ on the upgrade per day if there's something they offer and you want it)

You could also downgrade to a Mazda6 or Subaru Outback. In my experience they will typically accomodate reasonable requests for changes as long as you're polite and non-demanding.

You could also downgrade to a Mazda6 or Subaru Outback. In my experience they will typically accomodate reasonable requests for changes as long as you're polite and non-demanding.

Wow, Subaru Outback is down grade? I always thought they are more then Full size. I must try that. Is it midsize vehicle?

Gotta take the shuttle over from the terminalActually, from the B-C terminals, walk across the bridge to Metro/parking. Pass the Metro and walk along the inside of the parking garage-- there is a painted pathway-- following the signs for Abingdon Plantation and Rental Cars (you'll pass the remains of the plantation on the right). Hertz is upstairs one level and the Gold panel is right outside the elevators/stairwell.

It's a 5-10 minute walk which in my judgment is usually shorter than waiting for the shuttle, then going all the way around the airport loop to get to the rental car stop.

This past April, I had a midsize reserved at DCA and was upgraded to a Ford Five Hundred (almost brand new too :D ). This was late on a Friday night. Apparently these are not considered regular full-size though (?), so not sure how much good that will do you.

Wow, Subaru Outback is down grade? I always thought they are more then Full size. I must try that. Is it midsize vehicle?

I think Hertz is usually a bit tight fisted with them around winter time especially when it snows for the all-wheel drive on these cars. It's actually considered a specialty vehicle "Q" class, probably because of AWD, but I have yet been denied a request to swap any of my "C" class cars for it. But then again I rent from IAD every other week so they rarely deny me anything :) unless it's me asking to be swapped out of a Chevy Classic to a Jag without an upgrade fee :rolleyes:

I've asked for an Outback last week at LGA and they didn't blink an eye while handing me the keys.

The Outback is a nice car, but I do have a couple of minor gripes...It's a tad underpowered for it's size and the interior driver side room could be a bit more like the altima...Otherwise it's great on gas and trunk space, and of course the symmetrical all-wheel drive.

And now....back to your regularly scheduled thread.... :D

I think Hertz is usually a bit tight fisted with them around winter time especially when it snows for the all-wheel drive on these cars. It's actually considered a specialty vehicle "Q" class, probably because of AWD, but I have yet been denied a request to swap any of my "C" class cars for it. But then again I rent from IAD every other week so they rarely deny me anything :) unless it's me asking to be swapped out of a Chevy Classic to a Jag without an upgrade fee :rolleyes:

I've asked for an Outback last week at LGA and they didn't blink an eye while handing me the keys.



Wow, I am going to rent car today so I will ask them if they will do that for me (I rented midsize now but as a 5* I may get complmentary upgrade if car is available).

Actually, from the B-C terminals, walk across the bridge to Metro/parking. Pass the Metro and walk along the inside of the parking garage-- there is a painted pathway-- following the signs for Abingdon Plantation and Rental Cars (you'll pass the remains of the plantation on the right). Hertz is upstairs one level and the Gold panel is right outside the elevators/stairwell.

It's a 5-10 minute walk which in my judgment is usually shorter than waiting for the shuttle, then going all the way around the airport loop to get to the rental car stop.

Thanks for the info, didn't know if the walkway connected over to Hertz - will try it week after next ^

Okay so I finally ended up with the Camry SE. First time driving the Camry and got to say not bad at all.

It did feel a bit underpowered when pushed above 75 as you could hear the transmission shifting and working hard, but I got to admit, I had the AC on and trunk was half full and we were 5 passengers. So got to be fair on it, it was silky smooth on speeds below or at 70 mph. I could not tell below that speed that I was driving a 4 cyl car, but you would find out when you push it to 80.

I was very graciously given 3 choices at DCA when I asked for it and they were the Taurus, Ford Escape and the Kia Amanti - I picked the Camry for the gas mileage and also because I had not driven it before.

Btw, I averaged 29 mpg and I drove almost 1100 miles, damn that was tiring.

Okay so I finally ended up with the Camry SE. First time driving the Camry and got to say not bad at all.

It did feel a bit underpowered when pushed above 75 as you could hear the transmission shifting and working hard, but I got to admit, I had the AC on and trunk was half full and we were 5 passengers. So got to be fair on it, it was silky smooth on speeds below or at 70 mph. I could not tell below that speed that I was driving a 4 cyl car, but you would find out when you push it to 80.

I was very graciously given 3 choices at DCA when I asked for it and they were the Taurus, Ford Escape and the Kia Amanti - I picked the Camry for the gas mileage and also because I had not driven it before.

Btw, I averaged 29 mpg and I drove almost 1100 miles, damn that was tiring.

Sounds like you did good! ^