Hertz - What constitutes an upgrade for PC purposes?

I will make PC in another week or two, and I am trying to understand what I can expect from my guaranteed PC upgrades. Specifically, what I want to understand is whether getting a YC when you book a C is considered an upgrade. In my mind, whether you give me a Mazda 6 or you give me a Malibu, it's a mid-size either way, but does anyone know how Hertz defines "upgrade?"

Not sure what the official definition is, but I am Prez Circle, and I seem to receive SUV's and Crown Vics all the time while renting a Taurus class vehicle.

Don't care for the Crown Vics, but the SUVs are nice.

I will make PC in another week or two, and I am trying to understand what I can expect from my guaranteed PC upgrades. Specifically, what I want to understand is whether getting a YC when you book a C is considered an upgrade. In my mind, whether you give me a Mazda 6 or you give me a Malibu, it's a mid-size either way, but does anyone know how Hertz defines "upgrade?"

Depends on who you ask -- I've been told before at SFO and SJC that a C --> YC does constitute a legitimate PC upgrade.

Usually though, they've been pretty good about giving me a Q or F upgrade on a C reservation. At DFW, I get pretty good upgrades on my weekly B reservations -- at least a C, and in many cases an F, Q or even H.

I will make PC in another week or two, and I am trying to understand what I can expect from my guaranteed PC upgrades. Specifically, what I want to understand is whether getting a YC when you book a C is considered an upgrade. In my mind, whether you give me a Mazda 6 or you give me a Malibu, it's a mid-size either way, but does anyone know how Hertz defines "upgrade?"


Officially PC's are entitled to a guaranteed one class upgrade. If you reserved a B you would be entitled to a C. Depending on the location or on what's available this may end up being two or three classes especially if they get to know you.

Official policy is a one-class upgrade from A-F. So the maximum upgrade is from a booked full-size (F) to a premium (G).

That being said, I have received a great deal of YF (specialty F) upgrades from a booked full-size - most often when I also request NeverLost. At one time, this was not considered a valid PC upgrade, but it happens so much now, I am beginning to wonder.

I still do see a good deal of F to G and F to H (Kia Amanti/Hyundai XG350), and when I use free rental day certs to reserve a G, I get a Town Car (I). That being said, I have never been upgraded when I reserve a Premium (G) nor have I ever been upgraded to a Prestige collection car. Also, when I do reserve a Prestige, I tend to get the base model and not the upgrade (such as a Navigator vs. a Navigator Ultimate).

So I am unsure if I will "rental run" to PC again. I'm at 28 rentals right now, and so far have been utterly unimpressed with PC. Mind you, I rent right at 40, almost always on weekends, and on cheap F rates (~$20 a day), so that may be why I get bupkiss. If I rented during the week on expensive corporate rates I would probably get better.

. . . I am unsure if I will "rental run" to PC again. I'm at 28 rentals right now, and so far have been utterly unimpressed with PC. Mind you, I rent right at 40, almost always on weekends, and on cheap F rates (~$20 a day), so that may be why I get bupkiss. If I rented during the week on expensive corporate rates I would probably get better.

Tigger - I think you're on to something here. Last year I was PC, this year despite actually qualifying for PC I was bumped down to 5*. On the other hand this year I've had a lot of short mid week rentals (you know, those $59 / day 'B' class deals). Suddenly I'm finding my car back in the PC zone and my 'B' rides are turning into F's. So, while a lot of rentals may earn you PC, it does seem that at least at your 'home' airport a lot of $'s earns a sort of super PC status.

Lihu'e 1k

I am not PC, only 5*, but my history seems pretty consistent with what is being reported above. At IAH this week, I reserved F and received the Hyundai XG350, which, on the key chain, is listed as H. I usually reserve F and have been consistently receiving nice luxury models, like the Kia (not nearly as nice as the Hyundai) or the Toyota Avalon (which I really like). They occasionally give me smaller SUVs (Hyundai Santa Fe), which I generally don't like - extra gas, tougher to park in cities, etc. What really surprises me about some of the nicer upgrades is that a lot of my rentals are one-way rentals -- some as simple as LGA-JFK, but some farther away.

My only odd upgrade experience was at SEA last week. I ordered a Camry (it was the same price as the standard F, so I figured why not?). There was no real upgrade, as there was a Camry in the spot waiting for me, but it did have Sirius radio....not much of a selling point, as I travel with my XM2go! I guess (and this may be addressed in other threads, but I have not searched) that when you order a specific model, you are less likely to get an upgrade. It also was a one-way rental (to PDX), so I may try again on a regular r/t rental.

Stevekoe

I am not PC, only 5*, but my history seems pretty consistent with what is being reported above. At IAH this week, I reserved F and received the Hyundai XG350, which, on the key chain, is listed as H. I usually reserve F and have been consistently receiving nice luxury models, like the Kia (not nearly as nice as the Hyundai) or the Toyota Avalon (which I really like). They occasionally give me smaller SUVs (Hyundai Santa Fe), which I generally don't like - extra gas, tougher to park in cities, etc. What really surprises me about some of the nicer upgrades is that a lot of my rentals are one-way rentals -- some as simple as LGA-JFK, but some farther away.

My only odd upgrade experience was at SEA last week. I ordered a Camry (it was the same price as the standard F, so I figured why not?). There was no real upgrade, as there was a Camry in the spot waiting for me, but it did have Sirius radio....not much of a selling point, as I travel with my XM2go! I guess (and this may be addressed in other threads, but I have not searched) that when you order a specific model, you are less likely to get an upgrade. It also was a one-way rental (to PDX), so I may try again on a regular r/t rental.

Stevekoe

Upgrading someone that reserved a specific make/model kinda defeats the purpose of the "reserve a specific make/model" option.

As a PC, I have never reserved a specfic make/model so I'm not sure what the policy is with those.

Upside down in Oz , upgrade paths are

A->B
B->H
H->C
C->D
D->F

Group A is Toyota Echo Manual (Economy)
Group B is Toyota Corolla Manual (Compact)
Group H is Hyundai Elantra Automatic (Compact)
Group C is Toyota Camry Automatic (Midsize)
Group D is Ford Falcon or Nissan Maxima (Fullsize)
Group F is Ford Fairlane (Luxury)

Dave

Upgrading someone that reserved a specific make/model kinda defeats the purpose of the "reserve a specific make/model" option. As a PC, I have never reserved a specfic make/model so I'm not sure what the policy is with those.

I guess it's a "If you can't upgrade me, give me this" type of request.

I admit I also just choose "Taurus or Similar" as a PC, but since that so far means a 500 or a Kia, (which usually means asking for a Camry SE), I will start specifically choosing the Camry (and if I get an LE, ask for an SE).

Recent upgrades as a PC -- all booked F (full size)

Ford Explorer (SUV)
Grand Marquis (Premium)
Lincoln Town Car (Luxury)
Lincoln LS (Prestige Collection)
Volvo S80 (Prestige Collection) -- this one my team likes so much they've forced me to keep so they can drive it (it's a business rental so anyone on my company can drive it)

PS In Las Vegas I reserved a Camry and initially rcvd no upgrade. After talking to the booth they told me they don't upgrade those who reserve a specific model .. I traded it in for a Grand Marquis with no problems, however. I'm now more careful, if I want an upgrade I always book the "Or Similar" car rate.