Hertz - Avalon..."or similar"

Can anyone update me on Hertz's "get what you reserve" plan from a while back? If memory serves, they made a big deal out of promising you'd get the car you reserved, rolling it out on the West Coast, at resorts, and major airports. Is that policy still in effect? Was it every implemented nationally? Or does "or similar" answer my question?

Specifically, I'm wondering about experiences at BOS as I have to rent a lot here this summer and see that - while my emailed confirmations all say I have reserved a Toyota Avalon and are priced, my rez summaries on the Hertz website are not priced and also have the (for me, anyway), dreaded "or similar" modifier.

I say "dreaded" because until the last time I rented from Hertz. In the past, whatever I reserved, if I didn't get the specific car it didn't really matter: it was only me. But my last rental did. I had reserved a Premium car - the "Gran Marquis or similar" for a two-week road trip with four adults and their luggage up the East Coast. When I got to Hertz at MIA, I was offered - on a more or less "take it or leave it" basis - a Toyota Corrola or a Ford Escape. When I said they were too small, I was offered the largest SUV GM makes short of a Hummer or Escalade, which was way too big and thus unacceptable on that basis. In neither case was any difference in rental price disussed. It took a while, and more stubborness than I like to display in this kind of situation, but somehow a nice, shiny, low-mileage (4000 or so when we left) Gran Marquis materialized, even as it had been sitting there all along.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what "or similar" means? Since whole car classes can be disregarded, what - assuming I don't get an Avalon (which is perfect for my purposes) - is also a "Premium Elite" that isn't a "Fun" or "Prestige" car?

If I'm not mistaken, the Grand Marquis is in the G (premium) class, and the Avalon is one step up, so the H (specialty premium) class, which I believe includes

Audi A4
Volvo S60
Toyota Avalon
Infiniti G35
Chrysler 300c
Hyundai Azera

And maybe some others as well... not sure though.

If I'm not mistaken, the Grand Marquis is in the G (premium) class, and the Avalon is one step up, so the H (specialty premium) class, which I believe includes

Audi A4
Volvo S60
Toyota Avalon
Infiniti G35
Chrysler 300c
Hyundai Azera

And maybe some others as well... not sure though.

Thanks - and "H" category is a very impressive list BUT, as my most recent experience indicated, it seems they'd just as soon try to offer a lesser car than the class reserved. Both alternatives initially offered me were far lower on the rent-a-car food chain than class "G" and a Hummer-esque land yacht, whatever the class, is like the proverbial white elephant: no matter how nice it might be it costs too much to feed.

In BOS anyway, I know both that the Avalon no longer appears - even as "sold out" or at least on the dates I need across June, July, and August - and that the Volvo and Infiniti are on the "Prestige" list. Does this preclude upgrading to these, even if they are the same "class" as opposed to "collection"?

Well if they offered me a car from a lower class then what I had reserved, I'd either talk to the manager right away or email the hertz office once the rental was finished, they are usually pretty good in correcting these things by either crediting your rental or offering you some free day certificates towards your next rental.

I usually reserve F (fullsize) and even when they upgrade me to a Q (small suv) I refuse it saying that it might be a higher class, but it's definitely a smaller size vehicle, and that's worked for me pretty much all the time, so they upgrade me to something bigger (which is usually nicer, as well).

Unless they have recently changed car classes, the only Infiniti's that should be part of the Prestige class should be the M35 and QX56 (don't know about the FX, I think that is part of the fun collection) but the G35 should still be an H-class (premium specialty) car, last time I checked. As for the Volvo's, I know the S80, V70, XC70 and XC90 are part of the Prestige class, but the S60 and its smaller siblings should be at the same class as the Avalon and others.

Unless they have recently changed car classes, the only Infiniti's that should be part of the Prestige class should be the M35 and QX56 (don't know about the FX, I think that is part of the fun collection) but the G35 should still be an H-class (premium specialty) car, last time I checked. As for the Volvo's, I know the S80, V70, XC70 and XC90 are part of the Prestige class, but the S60 and its smaller siblings should be at the same class as the Avalon and others.

All of the Infinitis including the G35 and the FX35 were classed as Prestige earlier this Spring. The G35 also bumped up $100 on the weekly rate at OAK, where I reserved one in March. The keytags may not be changed yet.

To the OP, 2 out of 3 rentals where I chose specific vehicles, ended in significant upgrades when the car wasn't in my stall.
Dodge Magnum became Escalade ESV, and most recent Infiniti G35 became Audi A6. Every location is going to run into shortages, extended rentals, other location drops and paid upgrades.

If you are arriving late and inventory may be slim, call ahead and they might hold one. And if you are renting from BOS often this summer, the desk will start to recognize you and that may help. I always try to poke my head in at the desk unless they are really swamped.

If I'm not mistaken, the Grand Marquis is in the G (premium) class, and the Avalon is one step up, so the H (specialty premium) class, which I believe includes

Audi A4
Volvo S60
Toyota Avalon
Infiniti G35
Chrysler 300c
Hyundai Azera

And maybe some others as well... not sure though.

I have received a Kia Amanti which is H class. :mad: :td: Poor gas mileage, less acceleration than Avalon, etc. I will exchange if I get a Kia, especially the Amanti.