I don't think there is any official method to get Preferred Select. I called the main Avis number about two months ago and was told that the program was being redesigned and thus not accepting new membership. I emailed Avis last week and received a response a few days later saying that I would become Select.

The other question is how you qualify for it. Not to add to the confusion, as there have been several posts with contradicting information, but here is the response I received:

"We have been advised by or Preferred department and have been advised you
have been upgraded to Select member. We also have been advised to tell you
our system monitors select status and if you fall below the criteria (18
rentals within a rolling year) you will automatically be back on Preferred
status. Also the 2 car upgrade is based on availability at the time of
arrival."

So, that's the official word I received. Also, note that it says that it is a 2 car upgrade, rather than one car.

Don't get your panties in a ruffle about preferred select. Except for one or two upgrades (over the past few years), they really don't reserve the best, low-mileage cars they claim they do. And I've never gotten a newspaper.

They also don't seem to strict about the qualification criteria. While I did initially qualify with more than 9 rentals in a 6 month period, I haven't maintained anywhere near that volume over the past couple years. They use your credit card to track your rental volume, rather than your preferred profile or something else that makes sense. In the past year I've rented a lot of cars, but on different credit cards (both mine, and other people's), so to them it must look like I've only rented 3-5 cars in the past 18 months, when in fact I've rented about 5x as many...

d

Thanks for these posts. I just called and have been upgraded.

I am a Preferred, and most of the time find that it is meaningless. Only in the USA does it come into its own. Usually in Europe they will have the sign, and a queus in front of the sign. Last week in Naples (Italy) there were 14 people waiting to be seen. I wanted to check the car in and get a receipt (a worthwhile precaution in Italy). Fortunately, I always arrive at the airport long before time.

Under the BA Gold card scheme, I am almost always upgraded, or if they can't do that, will charge the category lower than the vehicle that I have reserved.

Per Avis, the main perk to being Preferred Elite is a one class upgrade and some misc. specials that may be sent from time to time.
What I found perplexing is that I had to hear about this on this board and not through Avis. My activity easily qualified.

I'm at least 50/50 getting an upgrade ... when I don't reserve an SUV that is (can't really upgrade that):

In MCO I was upgraded from Premium to Luxury (nice).

In PHL I was upgraded from mid-size to Premium.

Usually I'm upgraded from full-size to Premium.

what email address did you use? I can't find anything on their web site about it. I'm pretty sure I qualify for it. as Preferred I've gotten a WSJ once or twice, usually at MCI, and occasionally an upgrade to like an Impala or Century or something. had no idea I was even eligible. just wish they'd give me something besides a wheezy 4-cyl Grand Am which is what I always seem to end up with. at least the CD players in those will play my CD-Rs the ones in the bigger cars usually don't for some reason.

Tomorrow will be my first time as a "select". I've booked a premium and should have a luxury. The question is, what if I don't? Do I take the time to go to a desk and complain? Obviously a personal question for us all.In theory, I should already have a luxury reserved.

Trip Report:
No upgrade waiting.

I've never seen any "official" rules for the perks ...

The upgrade may only be to a certain level, for instance, no higher than a Premium.

Considering the program is 1) Free, and 2) Unadvertised, when I receive the upgrades, it's just gravy ...

Born Sleepy: I had emailed a question to AVIS through their website, and the response came back with a real employee's name and direct email, so I just responded to her directly. So, you may want to come up with some random question, wait for the response, and then email back, asking about Preferred serice. I think I had asked about mileage posting to my USAirways account. On another note, a colleague of mine called them after finding out about my new Select status, and she was refused a change in status. They said that the program was closed to new members and that I must have been pre-approved; clearly, that was not the case.

Jabez: the upgrades are never guaranteed. In all of the membership information, they say that you will get an upgrade if available at the time you pick up the car. As far as I know, there is no limit to the level of upgrade, i.e. if you reserve a premium you should be able to get a luxury, if available for the time you say you will arrive. I am always getting the upgrade now, and it is waiting automatically in the parking lot.

Just got off the phone with the sales rep for my company.
Presidents club is for VP's or higher.
Membership is by invitation.
Your corporation must approve your membership.
Looks like Select is as far as most of us can go even though we do most of the travel!!

[This message has been edited by Aussie (edited 07-17-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Aussie (edited 07-17-2001).]

BlondBomber
"Members only website". I am select, but know nothing of that.

There's a website ... don't remember the address (it's a page on the avis website I think, not it's own website or anything) ... but I also don't remember anything of any real interest on the site when I did visit it ...

Using the trial-and-success method I found it:

http://www.avis.com/select