Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Silver; Hilton HHonors Gold; Avis First
Posts: 1,276
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmcgrat6
On one occasion I was issued a Grand Marquis and immediately informed the Preferred staff that the upgrade was appreciated however impractically large and in jeopardy of damage from simply trying to exit their garage. They offered a Ford Focus which I also declined having become aware of a minor performance defect with the 2012 model largely unknown to the general public. They patiently went above and beyond eventually making a VW CC available-which has since become my vehicle of choice. To make a long story short, before driving away the Avis rep asked if there were any additional preferences I would like added to the "Miscellaneous Comments" field on my record. Since those notes were added there has not been a single instance where the vehicle preferences noted in my record were not honored to the slightest detail. If you are picking up at a location for the first time, call that branch directly and request to have the notes added. They will probably say they can't offer any guarantee for specifics, but in my experience they honestly do try to provide exactly or near as possible to what you would like.
**NOTE: You must speak with an Avis rep at an Avis location in order to have these notes added to your record. It is not available via customer portals (Avis First, Preferred, or otherwise). And the call center/general telephone number reps didn't know what I was referring to when I asked to add more particulars.
**Edit: Additional Tip: If the vehicles they list as available don't meet your needs when declining your pre-assigned option, ask the rep if they would have a moment to ask if additional vehicles might be ready but not yet added to the READY LINE (specific term used internally by Avis employees) including a specific model if that's what you want. There normally are more cars ready than what the READY LINE has listed because the staffer who checks the car and enters it as available in the system might not have had a moment to do so. Furthermore, Avis and Budget brands operate as separate entities but are in fact one company with access to both vehicle fleets. Although I've never rented through Budget and thus am only certain of a Budget to Avis transfer.
If you don't mind my asking, what 'minor performance defect' on the '12 Focus are you referring to? I know there's been some concern about the dry-clutch PowerShift gearbox in the Fiesta, but the affected vehicles have received a programming change which was supposed to fix the issue.
They offered a Ford Focus which I also declined having become aware of a minor performance defect with the 2012 model largely unknown to the general public.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Critic
If you don't mind my asking, what 'minor performance defect' on the '12 Focus are you referring to? I know there's been some concern about the dry-clutch PowerShift gearbox in the Fiesta, but the affected vehicles have received a programming change which was supposed to fix the issue.
The issue I had with the 2012 Ford Focus occurred while driving on 395 in the DC area. Whenever the car reached or exceeded 60mph it began to jerk, shake and became near impossible to steer. It felt like the car was having a seizure. After decelerating to 50mph (in a 55mph zone mind you), it slowly calmed to a maneuverable state. This happened twice within an hour and I immediately took it back to Avis to swap for a vehicle I felt more confident wouldn't kill me. When describing the problem to the gentleman in the returns line, I didn't even get past the end of my first sentence before he described exactly what I went through without any input from me. He said that I was not the first person to immediately come back with the 2012 Ford Focus with this exact issue.
This is one of several significant issues which frankly lead me to think of this car as a death trap. The link below to Auto Recalls for Consumers lists other instances during which other drivers were in a situation similar to what I experience. If you haven't had any problems with them, I hope you never will. But I will never drive one again.
As for the Grand Marquis, I live in and rent vehicles for use in the DC Metro area which involves a lot of parallel parking. I already have a difficult time driving a car the size of an aircraft carrier on city streets and would never be able to find parking for it without lucking into an open space large enough or spending ridiculous amounts of money to valet or garage park it everywhere I go; not to mention the glutenous fuel consumption. It might be the vehicle of choice for some people, but for me it's completely impractical and wasteful to bother with.
Programs: UA Plat, Avis First President's Club, Owner's Circle - Green Bay Packers
Posts: 4,651
More than once have I been upgraded to a Town Car. They'll usually offer something else along those lines with a Cadillac CTS or Lincoln MKZ as the most common. In the winter I've generally managed to ask for an AWD SUV.
This weeks upgrade at MCO was from a Ford Fusion to a Hyundai Sonata. Talked them into getting me a Hyundai Genesis.
__________________ I can haz upgrade my *A miles/segments? United. Hello?
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Silver; Hilton HHonors Gold; Avis First
Posts: 1,276
Quote:
Originally Posted by WIRunner
More than once have I been upgraded to a Town Car. They'll usually offer something else along those lines with a Cadillac CTS or Lincoln MKZ as the most common. In the winter I've generally managed to ask for an AWD SUV.
This weeks upgrade at MCO was from a Ford Fusion to a Hyundai Sonata. Talked them into getting me a Hyundai Genesis.
From what I hear, the new ('12) Sonata is actually a very nice car - but kudos on grabbing the Genesis.
Programs: UA gold, AA gold, VA gold, AF gold, status matching is awesome
Posts: 1,396
Not turned down as such, but certainly negotiated my way sideways. For instance, turning up for a full-size:
"Want an SUV for the same price?"
"Actually, no thanks, with the luggage and all..."
"How about a Grand Marquis?"
"Ummmm..."
"Chrysler 300?"
"Done!"
For the OP's question, though, of what happens if you show up for a fifteen-day road trip and they don't have anything except a minivan: your best bet is to ask nicely if you can exchange it for something else at the next Avis location along your route.
Programs: US-Platnium, HH-Diamond, AVIS-Presidents Club
Posts: 1,539
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorgen
For the OP's question, though, of what happens if you show up for a fifteen-day road trip and they don't have anything except a minivan: your best bet is to ask nicely if you can exchange it for something else at the next Avis location along your route.
You actually dont need to ask. Just simply stop by any AVIS station and tell them you need to swap cars. They may ask for a reason, and simply state you "arent comfortable in this car" or any kind of normal excuse. They'll swap your car out without issue. I've done it many times, when i thought I liked a car, but 100 miles into a trip, really hated it.
I wish they would have an option in the reservation requests to decline the (IMHO)downgrade to larger cars. It seems when I'm renting for only myself, I get a large car/SUV/Mini-van, but when I'm off to visit my 400lb brother and his 300lb wife, I always get what I pay for
My personal vehicle is a Toyota Corolla and I'm not comfortable driving anything much larger than that. They seem to think the Chrysler 300 is my favorite car, yet I hate the thing. At SFO I rolled my eyes when she said I had the 300. I told her I want the smallest thing she had and she asked why was I a Presidential/First/Plutonium if I didn't like large cars ?
I want the "walk to my spot & drive off" that Avis offers ... just let me decide if I want the upgrade or not.
As a weekend renter, the rates for larger models are usually only 50 cents or one dollar increments for each size up. Yet I always book the Economy. It's not to save 50 cents folks, it's truly what I want.
I've never done the cross fleet thing with Avis/Budget, but once Dollar offered me a small car at Thrifty without me specifically asking.
I often wonder if I'd enjoy National better with their "pick any car this section" method. And are they ok if I picked from a lower section.
Programs: AGR, BAEC Silver / BD Silver / A3 Blue / EI GCP
Posts: 1,056
It wasn't a voluntary downgrade, but the thread has reminded me of it.
I once showed up at a neighbourhood branch of Europcar / National in the south-west of England. I had booked an Economy with guaranteed upgrade and was offered this. When I questioned it, the gruff woman behind the counter said it was already an upgrade.
funny.... I was just thinking that next sunday, while at JFK, I will get stuck with a SUV..and trying to come up with ways to say that I have no interest in driving it around NYC (and trying to parking it )
Programs: UA Plat, Avis First President's Club, Owner's Circle - Green Bay Packers
Posts: 4,651
Quote:
Originally Posted by Critic
From what I hear, the new ('12) Sonata is actually a very nice car - but kudos on grabbing the Genesis.
The current (and last generation) Sonatas have been very nice. Infact, I actually perfer to get them over most of the other cars, but just at PWM. I can get to where I need to go and back, plus some running around, on a tank of gas.
A midsized family car at MCO is just asking for a snot covered, drool filled experience.
__________________ I can haz upgrade my *A miles/segments? United. Hello?
Thank you all. I got some great tips. Can I ask why you don't like Grand Marquis? Just curious.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PSUPaul
OMC! Old Man Car
Or, as one of my college friends put it, a "Republican Ride".
The most annoying car assignment are those idiotic microvan things like the Kia Soul. No trunk, horrible blind spots, and look like a cardboard box rolling down the road.
If you found the Kia Soul to be an...adventure, just hop on into the Nissan Cube. There would be no finer example of truth in advertising. The Nissan Cube is exactly that. The interior felt quite cavernous, however the cube doesn't handle corners all that gracefully (big shocker) and the reflections from every source of light are brilliantly reflected into the driver's view by the driver's side and front passenger windows. I'm psychologically sound but it felt what I imagine a schizophrenic visions are like.
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