Opinion of the Avis Preferred Select Program
Jan 20, 2003 | 10:25 am
#16
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by parkums:
Agree with the statement 100%. If it weren't for my corporate requirement to rent from Avis, I'd be with Hertz in a heartbeat. I hear their President's Club is much better in terms of service, upgrades, etc. I've been a Select member for over a year, and "preferred select" service is almost non-existent. </font>
Agree with the statement 100%. If it weren't for my corporate requirement to rent from Avis, I'd be with Hertz in a heartbeat. I hear their President's Club is much better in terms of service, upgrades, etc. I've been a Select member for over a year, and "preferred select" service is almost non-existent. </font>
I am 5* at Hertz and Preferred Select at Avis, which are roughly equivalent on paper, but in reality I get the Avis upgrade 90% of the time and the Hertz upgrade 50% of the time.
Jan 22, 2003 | 9:32 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jabez:
Call 1-866-842-5552 and give then your request. 12 rentals may be enough.</font>
Call 1-866-842-5552 and give then your request. 12 rentals may be enough.</font>
Jan 23, 2003 | 11:05 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SEA
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Posts: 3,220
Interesting...
I just called to inquire about become AVIS Preferred Select, talked to the rep on the Preferred Line, she told me I am ALREADY Preferred Select. Loged into preferredselect.com website, and indeed, I am Preferred Select withough even asking for it. I guess they upgraded me recently.
Nice job, Avis!
I just called to inquire about become AVIS Preferred Select, talked to the rep on the Preferred Line, she told me I am ALREADY Preferred Select. Loged into preferredselect.com website, and indeed, I am Preferred Select withough even asking for it. I guess they upgraded me recently.
Nice job, Avis!
Jan 23, 2003 | 3:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Louisville, KY, DL PM-MM, AA PLT, HH DIA, Marriott PLT, Avis CHM, Yada, Yada, Yada
Posts: 455
I get upgraded to something better about 75% of the time. It seems they always want to put me in a Malibu, but I just ask for something different and usually score a Century or Regal. The last Regal I got had the navigation system. It was really handy! The best treatment was in San Antonio, they had the car doors-trunk open, the car was running with the a/c on, and a Wall Street Journal in the pax seat. The agent was waiting for me by the car and shut the door for me as she wished me a "good day".
Feb 2, 2003 | 12:19 am
#20
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I was having a problem where I was getting too much of upgrades when I used Preferred Select -- I really don't like big cars. After I complained here on FT that they gave me an SUV when I reserved a compact, someone from Avis contacted me and fixed my record so that doesn't happen again.
(I did get a Dodge Intrepid last summer -- that is a monsterously huge car -- but most have been reasonable).
(I did get a Dodge Intrepid last summer -- that is a monsterously huge car -- but most have been reasonable).
Feb 5, 2003 | 5:40 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
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As a contrast, I signed up with National's Emerald Isle and the last couple weeks, I've had several choices and not once had to be in the dreaded Malibu. I would like to see Avis give me a choice in what car I get.
Feb 6, 2003 | 3:08 pm
#22
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
since the end of october (about three months time), i have rented an Avis car for 17 days. since the end of november (roughly two months time), i have had an Avis rental car for 15 days.
while i believe that would constitute extensive usage, Avis has thusfar refused to extend preferred select status to me.
they claim i don't have enough rentals. i believe the relevant measurement should be either rental days or rental days and rentals. after all, avis isn't compensated by number of rentals, is it? i believe i pay by the day.
while i believe that would constitute extensive usage, Avis has thusfar refused to extend preferred select status to me.
they claim i don't have enough rentals. i believe the relevant measurement should be either rental days or rental days and rentals. after all, avis isn't compensated by number of rentals, is it? i believe i pay by the day.
Feb 7, 2003 | 10:50 am
#23
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US Amex Platinum card holders receive PS status. If you've got one of those you might want co call Amex and get the sign-up form.
Feb 12, 2003 | 10:34 am
#24
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
despite plenty of rentals, after pulling teeth i got Avis to make me preferred select. it feels good to know that they upgrade visa select and amex platinum members to this status with zero rentals and i have to jump through hoops. whatever.
i got a very poorly worded email from avis saying "he need to continue to rent to maintain the status. Preferred Select it's only available at the time of the rental."
i assume she means "needs." also, what do you think she means when she says "Preferred Select it's only available at the time of the rental."??
thx.
[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 02-12-2003).]
i got a very poorly worded email from avis saying "he need to continue to rent to maintain the status. Preferred Select it's only available at the time of the rental."
i assume she means "needs." also, what do you think she means when she says "Preferred Select it's only available at the time of the rental."??
thx.
[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 02-12-2003).]
Feb 12, 2003 | 11:56 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,219
I had about 17 rentals since 08-2002, about 3-4 days each. Called them up to request preferred select, and about 2 weeks later got the new card.
The first time I rented with the new status was from LAX for the weekend. We were about 30 minutes early. The car was not ready. No WSJ newspaper. They did however give us an upgrade to a Buick La Sabre and give us the weekend rate even though we picked up at 11:30 instead of after noon on Thursday. I found out that a big car in LA isn't all that good though. I thought we got a good deal, as 3 days and 2 hours came out to $73 with tax. I used a weekend $$ off coupon from the Perferred Select web site.
The first time I rented with the new status was from LAX for the weekend. We were about 30 minutes early. The car was not ready. No WSJ newspaper. They did however give us an upgrade to a Buick La Sabre and give us the weekend rate even though we picked up at 11:30 instead of after noon on Thursday. I found out that a big car in LA isn't all that good though. I thought we got a good deal, as 3 days and 2 hours came out to $73 with tax. I used a weekend $$ off coupon from the Perferred Select web site.
May 4, 2003 | 1:07 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: D.C. ...in between flights!
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Posts: 910
It all depends on which location you go to. In downtown D.C. (DC2) they don't play the "preferred select" game. In fact I think they treat me worse ... "we're not a preferred location - there are no upgrades" yadda yadda. However, if you call the Preferred Select customer service number to complain they actually listen and care!
May 5, 2003 | 4:04 pm
#28
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Location: new york, ny, usa
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by suzy1K:
However, if you call the Preferred Select customer service number to complain they actually listen and care!</font>
However, if you call the Preferred Select customer service number to complain they actually listen and care!</font>
i think city locations just treat customers worse. not sure why. but, calling preferred select directly is a good idea.
Jul 8, 2003 | 1:20 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA Million Miler, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 90
I've had very good experiences with the Preferred Select Program. I've been renting weekly from IAD since Jan and the Preferred agents have always been very, very good at upgrading me. Of course, they know me personally by now. I've also gotten upgrades on the weekends from places such as MCO, SAT, SJU, etc. Occassionally I had to request the upgrade, but I always get it eventually.
How do I get in the mystical Presidents Club? I read that it by invitation only, but can I request it?
How do I get in the mystical Presidents Club? I read that it by invitation only, but can I request it?
Jul 12, 2003 | 9:27 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 318
I've been a Select renter for the past 4 years or so and I have always been upgraded two to three car sizes. The best was a convertable for the price of an economy at MIA. The only time I had a slight problem was at TXL, I was taking the car into E. Europe and Avis doesn't allow VW, BMW, MB to be driven there. She did upgrade me to a Diesel instead after a kind word on how pretty she looked (and she did look pretty). 