Hertz - Does "Any Prestige Vehicle" Really Mean "Any?"

Last night, I picked up a rental car using some Hertz #1 points. I used the reward "1 Free Weekend of any Prestige Vehicle - Non Peak" for 3200 points.

When I made the reservation, I wanted to reserve an Audi or STS. However, neither were available. So, I just reserved a Lincoln LS, thinking that I'd see what they had available when I picked up the car.

When I got to the location, they had a A6 there (lucky me!!). I went to the gold booth, and asked for that car instead. The contract then included a $45 per day upgrade fee - which I (wrongly) assumed would be covered by the award.

I called the Hertz#1 Points desk today, and they stated that the award does not include the $45 per day (because it only covered the amount of the rental for whatever was reserved) and that I am liable for that upgrade fee.

My question is this: Is this fair? If I redeemed an "ANY Prestige Vehicle" award, shouldn't that include any Prestige car I want? What would you do -- try to fight it or chalk it up to a lesson learned? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I would fight it, especially if there wasn't language in the coupon that indicates you cannot switch vehicles.

Complete BS, I'd fight it. I just used one of these for a XJ8 rental and it didn't cost me a dime. I also used a "weekly rental on any prestige" for an Audi A8 and again, not a dime out of pocket(not even taxes)

Have them change the rental to the full / walk up rate and remove the upsell before they close it out.

Last year in Hawaii we reserved a Lincoln Navigator. When we arrived we had them switch it to a Hummer H2 and paid the daily walk up rate, ~$300 / day. I had them do it as a regular rate instead of an upgrade since I suspected correctly that Hertz wouldn't cover the upsell. I believe, agents get a commission on the upsell and not on the daily rate.

When we returned home, I called Hertz and they took out 5,000 points for a week rental and refunded the charges, less taxes and airport fees, about $2,300.