At my local HLE, I get pretty much the same treatment--book compact, get F / SUV as I wish. That's because they know me well, though, not necessarily because of status.

When traveling, over the last 4 years (around 50 non-local rentals) I have never failed to get the 5* / PC upgrade. Even at IAD. Now, whether a Taurus is in any real sense an upgrade from anything, that's a different issue...