I've rented from Sixt DFW two times in the last couple weeks. Compared to Sixt Paris upgrading me from a Mini Cooper-CCAR to a Maserati Ghibli (other choice was a Range Rover), solely based on status, I'm not impressed with the DFW customer experience.

Like everyone else, I enjoy driving German cars and am Platinum

• Lack of express pick-up option
• Check-in follows process for opaque travel agency bookings (capitalize on inexperienced/price sensitive travelers)
• Heavy push for gas, insurance, TollTag and optional add-ons
• Upgrading vehicle type and disclosing an adjusted price (+$10-20/day) at the end of the transaction (upon signature)
• TollTag is $8/day for unlimited use (whether utilized or not) vs. $5 per Toll Plaza (Dallas to Plano has 4, so that's $20 one-way)

1. Last week I reserved a CCAR and received the appropriate SCAR upgrade (VW Jetta). I don't have room to complain, but as an Avis President's Club member, I'm accustomed to selecting pretty much anything. After asking for something more premium, the agent offered an Audi A6 or BMW 428i. I thought she was being nice only to see an extra $20/day had been added with no disclosure. We agreed on an extra $10/day. Three times, my father has rented a CCAR @DFW and received LCAR (Cadillac) upgrades, gratis, no haggling. No one was outside at 5:00 AM when I returned the vehicle so I left the key fob on the dash and received an emailed receipt 30 minutes later.
   
   
2. This week, I called to make reservations so I could enquire on the best way to upgrade to a BMW/Audi/Merc. The agent reserved an FCAR and said it would upgrade to a PCAR. Upon arrival (7-10 customers waiting), I was offered a BMW X5 or 428i. I chose the X5. Again, an extra $20/day had been added to the printed contract, by order of the supervisor when overheard from another station (she stopped assisting her customer to walk over and make a few key strokes). The person checking me in agreed to switch to the 428i without an upcharge, but only since the supervisor failed to qualify that particular vehicle (brilliant logic on his/her part - I discreetly left a $20 gratuity)

Vehicles are definitely premium, as Sixt markets itself, but service isn't. Check-in agents silently judged and looked at me like I was an idiot for not at least taking the TollTag. At least two customers ahead purchased an optional product or upgrade. Agents are typically incented (I get it).

Thoughts?