Avis First: full size upgrade to convertible?
 

I'm looking to get a convertible once I'm in Hawaii next month

If I book a full size, can I assume I'll be able to get an upgrade into a convertible? Or do I have to book the convertible directly?

I'm an Avis First (Preferred) member

First thing you want to do is see if the location you're renting from has Select & Go. If it does, and there's a convertible in the upgrade area, you should be able to talk to an agent and get the upgrade without paying the upcharge. (I was successful at SFO last month - requested a standard/D, got upgraded into a Ford CMax, which is (somewhat astoundingly) grouped as a 'Cool Car', presumably because of the hybrid engine.)

If not a select & go location, you can probably talk to the Preferred counter agent and see what's available.

I know I can ask when I get there but i'm trying to figure out what class to make my reservation in? Being an Avis First, I've never had a problem with the automatic upgrade, but wasn't sure if that applied to convertibles in Hawaii

I am Avis First and President's Club. In HNL they would not give me a convertible with a reservation for an intermediate car but insisted I take the upgrade to an old town car...

but what if i book a "full" size ?

i know you can't go from intermediate -> convertible

I would highly doubt they would upgrade in Hawaii to a convertible for Avis First members. Even at Avis in the "other 48 states", they are hard to get as First members on Intermediate/Full Size reservations. I'm sure nearly everyone would want one out there.

The standard advice:
-Book the lowest price car you need or are willing to accept
-Ask for an upgrade and hope for the best

If you really are set on a convertible, your only guarantee is to book one.

Avis First is a joke. It gets you truly nothing. I wouldnt assume you can upgrade from any class to convertible.

As a Presidents Club member, I still have to ask, and I've never asked in Hawaii. I did get several Chrysler Sebring Convertibles back when they were all over the AVIS lots in Florida several times... Most of the time, the roof wouldnt retract properly anyway.

At one time, a convertible was a one-class upgrade from Luxury.

Let me offer a tip from experience: A convertible becomes less enjoyable the longer the rental period.