Hertz - Paid upgrades in US

What would be the most cost-effective way to ride a premium collection car? Apart from Lincoln LS, they are terribly expensive if reserved in advance. Ls is cool, but rather small. I don't have a strong preference of a particular model. I'd just like to ride something better, bigger and cooler if the price is ok :D I don't know yet which airport it is going to be, most likely July for a week or two in SFO, LAX, LAS or PHX. Flight arrangements are not fixed yet.

Please give me your ideas and thoughts on what (and how if it is not web) could one book and upgrade to a car like A8 or Navgator/Escallade?

Is my understanding right, that pickup/return has to be the same location?

If the location even has any for a paid upgrade when you pick it up.... The premium cars are sold out often in advance, and usually during the busy periods (like the summer), you won't see them offered as a day of pickup upgrade. (If you really want the car, you gotta pay for it)

If the location even has any for a paid upgrade when you pick it up.... The premium cars are sold out often in advance, and usually during the busy periods (like the summer), you won't see them offered as a day of pickup upgrade. (If you really want the car, you gotta pay for it)July is not a "busy period" for PHX or LAS, for reasons you are probably quite familiar with being from South Florida. :)

If the location even has any for a paid upgrade when you pick it up.... The premium cars are sold out often in advance, and usually during the busy periods (like the summer), you won't see them offered as a day of pickup upgrade. (If you really want the car, you gotta pay for it)

I understand that upgrades of any kind are subject to availabilty. Shall I reserve midsize, fullsize or even better car? What is price range for paid upgrades from mid of full size for a weekly rental?

July is not a "busy period" for PHX or LAS, for reasons you are probably quite familiar with being from South Florida. :)

I've been several times in PHX and LAS during the hot months of July and August. This sort of warm weather (all right, hot) is something we don't get in northen Europe.

I understand that upgrades of any kind are subject to availabilty. Shall I reserve midsize, fullsize or even better car? What is price range for paid upgrades from mid of full size for a weekly rental?

I've been quoted anywhere from $5 / day to ~$50 / day for a paid upgrade.

$5 was for a Full Size to an Audi A6, ~$50 was from a Full Size reservation to a Caddilac XLR, $55 for a normal SUV to a Lincoln Navigator Ultimate. Typically the upgrade requests I've had ranged from $20-$30 per day. Sometimes I found it cheaper if I had just reserved the car I wanted, than to pay the upgrade fee. A lot of the time, the upgrade fee does not correlate to the price difference of the car.

The computer will usually display what price the agent can offer based on availability and future bookings. I also think there is some ability for them to negotiate, but I don't know that for sure.

I understand that this isn't a "Prestige" class vehicle, but I can usually pick up a Lincolin Town Car/ Cadillac DTS from a midsize reservation for around $10 pd after discounts, which is a hell of a lot cheaper then booking it outright. But like others said, if you NEED a nicer car, reserve it...

I've been quoted anywhere from $5 / day to ~$50 / day for a paid upgrade.

$5 was for a Full Size to an Audi A6, ~$50 was from a Full Size reservation to a Caddilac XLR, $55 for a normal SUV to a Lincoln Navigator Ultimate. Typically the upgrade requests I've had ranged from $20-$30 per day. Sometimes I found it cheaper if I had just reserved the car I wanted, than to pay the upgrade fee. A lot of the time, the upgrade fee does not correlate to the price difference of the car.

The computer will usually display what price the agent can offer based on availability and future bookings. I also think there is some ability for them to negotiate, but I don't know that for sure.

The agents do have the ability to negociate (I've seen their screen) and they have a minimum to a maximum amount they can charge for the upgrade... so I guess it depends on their mood or how greedy they are (since they do make comission on the upgrades)

The agents do have the ability to negociate (I've seen their screen) and they have a minimum to a maximum amount they can charge for the upgrade... so I guess it depends on their mood or how greedy they are (since they do make comission on the upgrades)

Bingo! Minimum upgrade amount in the system is $3 a day, but can be tweaked lower if really needed (ie, charge 3 a day, then apply a cert @ rate of 1-2 a day....not done often, and not for that little amount, but I've seen tweaks that way). I do not know of a maximum they can charge for upgrades, and have seen a few 1-200 a day upgrades for a large SUV in SLC on a big snow day--people found out they couldn't take the compact they reserved to the mountains, so they spent tons of money for the SUV so they could. Basically, the upgrade charge is whatever they think they can get out of you. That said, they are basically sizing you up when they start the rental process and then try to figure out how/what they can get you in for the upgrade (and commission). And, obviously.....some agents are really good at getting a read on people and had awesome paychecks (that is, on a relative scale, considering most non managers who work at hertz are earning 6-12 an hour base, and some of those bonuses can be as much as 10-15 hour additional, depending on the above).

I've successfully negotiated down from their original asking price of $25 / day to $10 / day thanks to your tips! It was a F rental (assigned a Charger RT) to an Infiniti M35.

That's pretty good Tummy.

I knew that one could negotiate, but most of the time I just accept whatever the agent says without any qualms because I'm too excited about what car I get to try next.

The highest I've ever paid in a upgrade was $60. A Grand Marquis to an M35.

I'm going to try it my next rental.

I knew that one could negotiate, but most of the time I just accept whatever the agent says without any qualms because I'm too excited about what car I get to try next.

That's my problem too. :) Not the most scientific, but I've usually had better success late at night. Rows of Prestige cars with RENT ME signs in the windshields tend to work favorably as well. :D

Any tips on what to say or how to negotiate when quoted a high upgrade fee? LAX as of late loves to quote upgrade charges that are higher than the difference between the direct booking prices... :(

Any tips on what to say or how to negotiate when quoted a high upgrade fee?

One time I just sighed a bit at the upgrade fee the agent quoted me...and just stood at the counter checking the booklet with all of the cars in there, stalling for time. Afer a minute or 2, the agent offered me a lower rate.

That only worked because there was no one in the Gold Booth with me, so if there's a long line, the agent might not wanna help.

I'ma just say, politely, "wow, can you do better than that?" - because I know they always say something outrageous like "it's going to be at least $50+ to go to a freakin' S80." :D

Surprising at LAX though, since they have so many different cars - weekends they should be givin' those Prestige out... :)

I was quoted $50/day for an Expedition at a nearby HLE a couple of weeks ago. I was booked in F, mentioned that I wanted the Ford 500 instead of the Buick because I needed max trunk space. I laughed. I took the 500.

Now that I've read this thread, it makes sense: the agent was obviously reaching for the max rate because I had made the comment about wanting more trunk space. It was a weekly rental - an extra $50/day would have quadrupled my total rental bill. A bad read on the agent's part - did I look that desperate? He should've gone for about $8-10/day - around 50% upcharge. I might've bit on 50%, but not 300+% The Expedition was still sitting there when I returned: I wonder if it moved at all during the week. (Winter in Kansas - not exactly peak season.)

very good advice in here. Thanks for the headsup.