Hertz - Renting in LAX, any tips on getting upgraded?

I have a reservation for a full size out of LAX tomorrow for 1 week.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can get thet to upgrade me to a small SUV when I walk in?

Thankx

I have a reservation for a full size out of LAX tomorrow for 1 week.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can get thet to upgrade me to a small SUV when I walk in?

Thankx

It helps if you are Hertz Gold.

If you aren't using any other discounts there are some coupons for a one-class upgrade on Hertz.com (such as AAA) -- while they don't apply to SUV it doesn't hurt to have it on hand to offer...

Otherwise, just ask. They have lots of SUVs these days -- they'll probably ask you to pay an upgrade fee, but you can always just see what happens.

If you mean a small SUV like an Escape/Santa Fe/RAV4, it probably won't be that hard to upgrade -- LAX gives me those as PC upgrades on a C reservation.

Usually on a F reservation, I get an H car like a Zephyr/Azera/Avalon. Of course, YMMV...

I'm a 5 Star and have had very little luck getting "good upgrades". My only suggestion is to find a manager and ask him if a specific car is available. The people that work at the Gold Counter aren't very helpful and are usually pretty rude about upgrades.

For example, I rented an F and found a Tauras in my spot. I saw a bunch of empty Avalons and Camry's (No Rental Contract in Them). I asked the Gold Desk and they said the best they could do was a Tauras. I asked a manager if the these cars were available. He radioed the dispatcher and found that all of them were available. He didn't give me the Avalon, but he gave me the Highlander.

I rented in SAN for a few months and every week, I got an Avalon, after renting a F.

I've never gotten squat from LAX except when I've booked very small. Then, I'm sometimes get the simple B->C upgrade or whatever.

About 2 years ago, I had couple of weeks out there where I did confirmed G. Unusual for me because I always find far superior rates in F and below, and I don't really want a Crown Vic. For for some reason, my AAA rate on G cars at LAX was amazing, and I figured I'd talk my way into something cool.

No dice. The Crown Vic was sitting there when I arrived, and then wouldn't put me in anything else. One manager even blew me some drivel about "We don't upgrade 5-Stars for any reason." Only thing I was able to talk them into was letting me drive a Taurus at the (lower) G rate.

The lot appeared full, although I know that can be deceptive. Perhaps the treatment had something to do with the fact that they knew their G rate was unusually low at that specific time, so they were being sticky with luxury car upgrades.

My experience is that LAX is not one of the greatest locations that Hertz has. I haven't had good experiences there.

It is a busy location, but I have to believe that your chances are slim. Lots of high end customers fly into LAX.

As someone suggested, a coupon is your best bet.