Shucks, I thought this was another rant on lack of service for 5*. I'll add my rant anyway..

Reserved a mid-size out of AVL on 8/30, returning on 9/4. They gave me a Ford Fusion. While driving on I-75, the check tire pressure light came on. At the next exit, I went to an auto zone where I visually looked over the tires, they looked good. I went in and they let me borrow a pressure gauge - all the tires were at 31 or 32 psi.

I drove on to Somerset, KY figuring the light would go out -it did not. Wednesday I got tired of the looking at the light, so I called roadside assist. They asked if the car was drivable and if I was safe - nice touch. I told her it seemed fine, but the light wouldn't go off. She checked for HLE or garage nearby that they had an agreement with, but alas, none in the area. Nearest location was in LEX. I told her I'd take it there for an exchange and she supposedly indicated that in my record.

So I spend 1.5 hours going to the LEX airport to exchange the car. When I got to the counter and explained the issue with the agent, she immediately said "so what did you do to the car?" I did nothing but drive the thing, I drove over nothing, didn't hit a curb or pothole. She handed me an accident/incident report to fill out. I pushed back saying I didn't have any accident nor incident, the light just came on. She replied that if I didn't fill it out, there was nothing she could do for me and I should leave. Ok, that wasn't nice but I was tired of looking at the light and didn't want to put tape over it.

So I relented and started filling out the form. She said all I have in a mid-size is a Toyota Corolla. I said fine, as long as it has cruise and a remote key. No remote key, but it had cruise. I said well do you have any cars with a remote key (amazing how spoiled we/I are), to which she replied "yes, but that would be an upgrade to the next class".

I said fine, I'll take that since I get a free one class upgrade as a 5* member. She said no, I would have to pay for the upgrade. To that I asked "please check with your manager". While she went behind the wall, I continued with the silly form, adding to the top of it "completed under duress" and for the description of the accident/incident I put "the silly freakin' tire pressure indicator light won't go off".

She came back, said the manger said I'd have to pay. I said ok, that's not right, but let's just get this over with so I can drive another 1.5 hours to get back where I need to be.

About that time, the manager walked out from behind the wall on her way out. I stopped her and asked why I would have to pay for a 1 class upgrade when I'm 5*. She said the Corolla is the only mid-size, take it or keep the other car and walked off.

I ended up with the Corolla, which was an adequate car, no complaints except having to remember to lock the door manually and to stick the key in the door to get in.

When I returned the car to AVL, the agent there was the same one that issued me my original car. She asked what happened to the Fusion and I told her. She was dumbfounded. Said that there in AVL, they would have upgraded me as per the 5* benefits without question, and the accident/incident report would not have been brought up.

Avoid LEX.