I've switched to Hertz where the budget allows for a few reasons related to PS and for a few others in general.

1) Real Upgrades - I'm looking forward to getting Presidents Circle with Hertz and getting the confirmed upgrades. Many colleagues of mine sometimes get Volvos or Jaguars when they rent Full Size. Avis has never upgraded us to the Cadillac, even when I rented premium class.

2) Free Rental Days - After a certain number of rentals, Hertz will send out coupons for a free rental day. That would be nice to use on our vacations, which Avis doesn't provide.

3) In 50+ rentals, I've never had a WSJ as promised from Avis at any location.

Other Hertz:

1) Their cars are usually much more interesting where I rent. I've tried many different sizes and have always received brand new, Corollas, Altima, Maxima, Mazda6, Camrys, Mustang, though usually I get a Taurus. Much more interesting than the Buicks, Malibus, or Saturns at Avis, though less consistent. I did however, manage to get Camrys at the MHT airport from Avis a few times.

2) The Hertz pickup system is more efficient than Avis, in that your name is on the board and the cars are usually in a covered area. Avis at IAH is outside and the driver tells you where your car is. I also don't like them mispronouncing my name in front of everyone.

3) GPS Systems - Neverlost is better than the Avis GPS used at MCO and in SFO and is available almost everywhere. The screen is about 1/2 blocked by the steering wheel and the remote control is in an awkward place.


The only place where I think Avis might be better is at MCO airport since they are in the terminal. We're going to try the off airport Hertz next week to compare though.

i've never received an upgrade from a premium or the WSJ either.

Is there any upgrade from a luxury car. I am renting a car next weekend at LAX. I need a luxury car so I do not want to risk it not getting an upgrade from a Premium. Do you guys have good experience being upgraded from Premium to Luxury?

Thanks

I use to rent premium all the time, probably 20x this year,and was never upgraded to luxury.

I rented a car at YHZ and they ran offered me a free upgrade...when I said I didn't like any of the upgrade cars and told them I would take the sub-compact I ordered they gave me another upgrade and I got a Sebring convertible. I guess they ran out of sub-compacts and had to upgrade me but didn't want to admit it.

YHZ is a great Avis station. Nice reps and near-perfect Select recognition. I usually rent Compacts or SUVs, depending on how many people I have travelling with me. In the former case, I usually get my choice of a Malibu or Grand Am, and in the latter, I'm offered an Expedition instead of an Explorer. I usually decline the Expedition upgrade - there is such a thing as too big.

I have been Preferred Select for over 2 years and I always rent a full size 4 door car. I hardly ever get any type of a "upgrade". They gave me a minivan one time, but I don't consider that an upgrade and they sometimes give me a SUV (a nasty Chevy blazer)also not an upgrade in my book. They have NEVER given me a premimum car and god forbid they give me a caddy....

Avis needs to take better care of their good customers.

The few times I rent from Hertz, they always bump me up a level and I'm just Gold with them....I wish our company would allow me to rent 100% from Hertz....



[This message has been edited by CraigS (edited 10-09-2003).]

I don't know where you folks rent but I rent 1-2 times per week, every week and 98% of the time I am upgraded to a Caddy or Bravada (when I ask for one b/c I like them). The 2% other is LAX....grrrrrr.....LAX...

And last week, I was on with the On-Star agent for an hour and a half at no charge. Without her I was fu$ked.

boy if that isn't an understatement. maybe it's because i rent in NYC, but my Preferred Select status couldn't possibly mean less.

No there's not.

auh2o
I'd more interested where you rent. I've been upgraded to a caddy only once in the last 2-3 years as Select.
I almost always get upgraded one level (unless I've booked a premium)and often get offered a SUV. I actually have sometimes been "upgraded" when I didn't want it.I've rented convertibles at Midway and they "automatically upgraded" (their words)me to a SUV.

rented this past weekend in Manhattan. Preferred Select Member. upgrade? no way.

Ummmm, aren't you Chairman's level?

No. Just a loser Presidents Club member.

I rented a Premium at DCA over a weekend last month and got some sort of Cadillac which I never figured out what it was other than a pretty unimpressive car. beats a Malibu tho!