what car to rent for upgrade to SUV/minivan
Nov 21, 2014, 4:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 989
what car to rent for upgrade to SUV/minivan
Hi all, i am totally new to car rental programs and am in dire need of some help. My family of 4 adults and 1 toddler will be traveling to Paris, Athens, UAE and Turkey next month. As you can imagine, that is quite a bit of luggage and a stroller. I do have Avis First from the world mastercard promotion and believe that I would just be able to choose any vehicle from a certain parking lot rather than what I booked? I am wondering if someone can confirm this and also help me out by telling me what car class I would need to rent to maybe take advantage of this and score a free upgrade to an SUV/minivan?
Nov 21, 2014, 5:08 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi,
(1) The pick from the lot feature is mostly still limited to the US. Don't expect to find it in Europe.
(2) If you need the space, don't bank on an upgrade. Upgrades are not guaranteed, and the upgrade could be to a more "luxurious" car. (Recently, I was offered a Volvo V40 instead of a Renault)
(3) Outside the US, SUVs and minivans tend to be rarer, and quite a bit more expensive. A more likely upgrade potential would be to a station wagon.
In short, don't expect you will be able to get the upgrade you are looking for, and instead shop around the various rental companies to secure what you need. (In Europe, take a look at Sixt, at times, they have very competitive rates)
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Hi all, i am totally new to car rental programs and am in dire need of some help. My family of 4 adults and 1 toddler will be traveling to Paris, Athens, UAE and Turkey next month. As you can imagine, that is quite a bit of luggage and a stroller. I do have Avis First from the world mastercard promotion and believe that I would just be able to choose any vehicle from a certain parking lot rather than what I booked? I am wondering if someone can confirm this and also help me out by telling me what car class I would need to rent to maybe take advantage of this and score a free upgrade to an SUV/minivan?
(2) If you need the space, don't bank on an upgrade. Upgrades are not guaranteed, and the upgrade could be to a more "luxurious" car. (Recently, I was offered a Volvo V40 instead of a Renault)
(3) Outside the US, SUVs and minivans tend to be rarer, and quite a bit more expensive. A more likely upgrade potential would be to a station wagon.
In short, don't expect you will be able to get the upgrade you are looking for, and instead shop around the various rental companies to secure what you need. (In Europe, take a look at Sixt, at times, they have very competitive rates)
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer