nice to see some action in the avis forum!

my experience has been that that the preferred select upgrade is not automatic, particularly in new york city, where the dollar values are greater for an upgraded car.

by the way, the preferred select program is also available as a "comp" through certain corporate travel departments at fortune 500 companies. that's how i first got my card.

overall, i'd say that the select concept is a great idea, but avis hasn't really run with it and provided significant and consistent additional benefits to its members.