Originally Posted by
5.9LITRE
I am Hertz Gold and rent the intermediate class every week from PHL. On the reservation it says Mazda 6.
After 6 weeks of rentals, I have NEVER gotten a Mazda 6 - I have gotten minivans, Mazda 5's, and pretty much everything else BUT a Mazda 6. I understand the reservation is for "similar" cars and a Ford Fusion would be fine b/c it is still a car in the same class as a Mazda 6 but I don't get those either. Also, even though I am Gold I am never in the Gold canopy I'm in the overflow with the non-Gold cars (even though the contract says Gold and I'm on that Gold board that says what spot your car is in)
Unfortunately, The Mazda 5 is in the same class as the Mazda 6. As for other minivans I am not sure. The Fusion is actually not in the same class as the Mazda 6. Mazda 6 is a class C, Fusions are class E4. If there is certain model car you don't want. You can try calling and having your profile updated with No mazda 5 or no minivans etc.
Originally Posted by
5.9LITRE
I thought as a Gold you could "choose" your car or at least have a little bit of a chance of at least getting something in the same class? Since I am Gold it is in the canopy and I just put luggage in and leave - bet it would be a PITA to request a different car, have them re-do the contract, etc.
If you want to choose your car, you probably need to switch to National. But, if you can stick it out until you get 10 rentals then you can call or email to force the upgrade to five star. Your chances of getting a better car will improve, but the upgrades aren't guaranteed.
I've never rented out of PHL, but it sounds similar to IAD in regards to the canopy. Being under the canopy is just luck, if you are not PC. I'm five star and at IAD sometimes I get under it, sometimes I don't. If you are traveling at peak rental times (Sunday nights, Monday mornings) there are probably just too many gold members.
As for changing cars. Its not a PITA if there is no/short line at the gold booth. If it is not long it is usually pretty easy, at least it is at IAD and DCA. Just grab the contract and head into the gold both and tell them why you don't want that vehicle. They punch a few keys and print a new contract and your off. I've swapped out minivans or gotten bigger cars without any trouble. Heck at IAD I went from a Chrysler Sebring to an Impala SS without them blinking an eye.