McDMan

Hello!

Can anyone please tell me if they've successfully used the $20 Tip trick at budget at MCO? ($20 sandwiched between driver's license and credit card).

We have a 15 day car rental in August and got a fantastic rate but for a mid-size car only. We are a family of 5 (fkids 5, 7, and 10) but want t o get a complimentary upgrade to a van at the airport. I've used this in Vegas to get suite upgrades but have not tried this on cars.

Thanks, Charles

randix

You're kidding, right? At Budget?

havepointswilltravel

What you are doing is called 'bribery' and that is not a good thing.

Hertz4me

Going to take more than a $20 bill for that 15 day rental, 50 or maybe a 100, there was this one guy who came in and would always rent from me and slip me a $20 needless to say I never disappointed him

McDMan

Of course its bribery. That's what this is all about. It's not illegal and it works at the hotels in Vegas for complimentary suite upgrades. On the same principle, the car rental clerks have the authority to change your car rental. I just want to make sure that I can get a van upgrade if it's available. For $20, it's worth the try/ What would the car rental clerks care?? I'm sure that many would like to make a quick $20 regardless of whether it is 15 days or 1 day.

I'm just wondering if anyone has done this and how it worked out.


Thanks again!

randix

the next time I can't get customer service to post my bonus miles or do anything other than send me a canned response, I'll send them an envelope with a $20 bill...

Tailgater

You might want to try rolling some marijuana, too. Once, a patron left me some marijuana as a restaurant tip. I suppose if CA legalizes it come the November, 2010 election this might become more common.

McDMan

Whatever works...just be sure to be specific with your request. You'd be surprised what people are willing to do for money. It's just a fact of life

McDMan

Once this becomes common practice. I'll start doing this too. In the meantime, everyone should just stick to what works...$20

PhoenixRev

Then consider me a briber as I do this all the time when checking into hotels on the Strip in Las Vegas and "bribed" a bored-looking Budget agent at SNA. Was very pleased to get a double upgrade and into a car with 1,200 miles and fully loaded.

However, it is always a gamble and you may get nothing or your money returned.

djk7

I know this has been discussed extensively regarding hotel rooms, but I've never heard of it with rental cars. Have you tried it before? If it has worked for you elsewhere, I wouldn't expect MCO to be any different than any large station. It's possible that rental car agents have less leeway to give free upgrades without justifying it to their superiors, but that is just a guess. I would expect better luck if you can find a counter with a single agent on duty, I don't think you would get far where several agents are standing shoulder to shoulder.

One other thing to note about MCO, there are two Budget facilities, one in the A side (north) parking garage, and the other on the B side. They are about a 5 minute brisk walk apart. You might consider scoping each one out for availability before making your play.

Either way, if you give it a try, let us know how it works out for you.

4now

, go ahead and give it a try!

If the representative hands you it back, it's likely because they know the van needs to generate an additional $200 easy for that rental car location over that 15day period.

newfbc

Enjoy your Corolla on your 15 day rental.

Ron.