Hertz - PC upgrade how would I live without them

Just a bit of background I normally rent a vehicle from Hertz for anywhere from 20-30 days each month in different cities each time. My normal reservation is for a fullsize “Taurus or similar”. Up until recently I did rather well with PC upgrades an A6, Avalon, Expedition. In the last 4 months the standard seems to be the ever-popular Grand Marquis, quite possibly the worst vehicle in the Hertz fleet. This evening upon arriving at the SEA airport Hertz I walked to the last stall in the row to find a Camry SE. Now I do like the Camry however I must say I was really hoping for something just a little nicer. I walked back to the Gold counter and asked if anything else was available. At this time I was informed that the Camry SE was a two-class upgrade from the Taurus and any additional upgrade would be $20 a day. Two-class upgrade Camry-Taurus I had to question this one it seem just a bit odd. One class is the Camry is considered a “Green Vehicle” the second class is that it is a Camry SE not just a base Camry.

I guess I should not complain, as it is not a Grand Marquis or a Taurus.

Where have all the good upgrades gone?!?!

I think the question should be, why isn't Hertz addressing the monster in SEA?

The lack of the upgrades for a President Club member was the number 1 reason why I moved over to Avis, Budget and National.

I just pick what is cheaper because a full size car is a full size car.

I was a President Club member since 1999 - this year I only had 5 rentals when Hertz had a cheaper price.

Your experience is par for the course at SEA, blue27.

As a PC, I routinely received one of the three when renting a Taurus:

Ford Crown Victoria
Mercury Marquis
Hyundai XG350

Sometimes I'd get a Pontiac Grand Prix or a Pontiac Bonneville.

I generally did better as a high-rent 5 Star [25-30] member where I'd get a Toyota Avalon XLS.

I will note that when I rented a Premium using a free-day cert, they always gave me a Town Car. But never when I rented a Premium on a paid rate... :rolleyes:

Over here in Australia I have had v few occassions over the last 3 years where I have not received an upgrade from a Falcon (D) to a Fairlane (F). On the couple of times where the upgrade wasnt available they did provide a certificate for 1000 FF miles.

I am most satisfied with Hertz PC here

Dave

SEA is brutal. As a 5*, I was constantly getting upgraded to the dreaded "compact SUV". I forget the makes/models - I think Kia or Hyundai were the most common.

I've switched to National in Seattle, even though I prefer Hertz in 95% of my other destinations.

Over here in Australia I have had v few occassions over the last 3 years where I have not received an upgrade from a Falcon (D) to a Fairlane (F). On the couple of times where the upgrade wasnt available they did provide a certificate for 1000 FF miles.

I am most satisfied with Hertz PC here

Dave

Likewise, I generally get upgraded from a Falcon to a Fairmont, which has reverse sensors, a bit nicer interior and better stereo.

Not much else in terms of prestige cars down here anymore :(

These stories are just one more example of why Hertz should install a "TiVo" like rating system for PC and 5* members. That way you could rate the cars you might get upgraded with. One thumbs down is you'd prefer something else, but if it's the only upgrade..., but two thumbs down means you'd rather have a smaller upgrade, or no upgrade at all. Three thumbs down means give me this car at your own risk :)

Likewise, I generally get upgraded from a Falcon to a Fairmont, which has reverse sensors, a bit nicer interior and better stereo.

Not much else in terms of prestige cars down here anymore :(

I didn't realize that Ford was still using those model names in Australia - sounds funny to Yankee ears to hear them used for modern cars! (especially Falcon)

I've only rented at SEA 3 times, but I've always had good upgrades there. I always rent a C, and I've gotten an Infiniti G35, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Sorento. So all in all I think I've done fairly well.

I'm driving a Hyundai Eleantra today. They had to take me in a golf cart to get to it. I was like...are you freaking serious? You're telling me that these four hundred cars all sitting here are all for President's Circle members, and you have to haul Five Stars across the parking lot to pick up their sweet Hyundai rides?

I'm Hertz PC and rent in SEA almost every week (requesting a midsize) - and I almost always receive a Taurus, Camry or compact SUV (Ford or KIA). All pretty much suck. Yes, I wish Hertz would do something about SEA too.