Aren't two pedals better than 3? (manual's have a third pedal, right? -- not that I pay much attention to that)

I've been to Europe and Asia about 100 times, and I've never had a problem. It doesn't matter at all when you're in a train or taxi.

Learning to drive a manual is like learning to use a slide rule. Except, I know how to use a slide rule.

If you are too old, drunk, retarded, etc. then you will stall the vehicle if you don't know what you are doing. With an auto you can mash the gas pedal from a dead stop and cause tremendous damage.

I strongly believe that people should have to take a driving test using a manual vehicle.

"Sticks" and stones...

This is a very common viewpoint for people from Sweden I should know as I grew up and got my license there. I drive about 50/50 automatic/manual and would argue that I am safer in the automatic as I have less to do and can focus more on the traffic. The only time I prefer a manual is when the car has a smaller engine and you need more control to use it the way you want or if you are towing something. Then again, the US solution to towing is a Ford F350 with a 7.8 liter diesel engine with an automatic regardless of how small your trailer is. With that kind of torque, an automatic does just fine.

At home in Sweden, a good vehicle to tow with is a Volvo 240 with a 2.2 liter engine with 115 bhp... I digress yet again.

AVIS sent me the Preferred Select membership card about a year ago. At the beginning the upgrades were consistant. Lately it's down to none. My last 3 times at IAD, reserved mid-size, assigned mid-size; reserved compact, assigned conpact.

I sent a message to AVIS on the Select web site. I was given the standard of cars not available.

3 weeks ago, when I was at IAD, I stopped at the Preferred hut and spoke with the agent inside about an upgrade. Without looking she said there was none available. I found the manager and told him about being Preferred Select member. He told me technically I was upgraded.....from a compact 2 door to a compact 4 door....even though the price of both category were the same.

If this is an invitation only membership, AVIS need to try a lot HARDER to fulfil their promised benefit to the customers. I used to rent with AVIS exclusively. I am going to look around for a better company.

"non event" is the right word! i recently got this, but my perception is that nothing's changed.

my most recent rental at DFW was a compact, and i got a new mitsu lancer. its a great car esp when compared to the cavalier i was expecting (and always got), however i dont know what category its in.

[QUOTE=saimike]"non event" is the right word! i recently got this, but my perception is that nothing's changed.
[QUOTE]


Well, I'm still waiting for the status change to be reflected on my account. I'm not sure what it will do anyway.

One point I was pondering. I used to fly into SFO deliberately to rent the buick century's with the nice 5" LCD talking GPS systems. Avis used to change my car all the time to the GPS enabled car, at no additional charge.

They pulled that fleet of cars, and have replaced it with nothing. It was only SFO, since the same cars were advertised at SJC and the Avis folks there wanted to charge me $7.95 a day for the GPS system.

Anyone else had similar experiences ?

Ta
Ben.

Avis yanked my select last quarter when my rentals slowed down. Looking back, I still had 15 over the last 12 months. Anyone know if the new program looks backward at rentals or is it based on the next 18 months after they announced the change? That ought to limit qualification.

Very similiar experience. I was "upgraded" to preferred select. My profile shows just 'preffered' on the avis web site, though. I called to confirm my status and the agent mentioned I was preferred select. I cannot log into the www.preferredselect.com website.

My last two rentals since calling the agent has resulted in being upgraded from a full-size to a premium, LeSabre both times. I wouldn't call it an 'upgrade' except for the XM radio. I really like XM radio. I have it in my personal vehicle and it is really nice not to have to search for a station.

Yes, this is still where I'm at. I rented in SJC a few days ago for four days, and was upgraded one car class. I had a fullsize booked (they usually give me a ford taurus or something like that) and when I collected the card from the preferred area a 11:55pm, there was a LeSabre with XM waiting for me. Obviously the upgrades work. No change reflected on the website, and no new membership card, not that I care. It just seems to work.

Ben.

I have 3 rentals since being preferred select. I have received an upgraded car each time - twice full size to premium, once premium to cadillac.

Just received my shiny new (cheap) Avis Preferred Select membership card. Has an expiry date of 11/05 and my company name on it. I guess that stops me using other CDP's

It's a printed on card as opposed to an embossed card (the previous regular preferred card I had was embossed).

Anyway, still no access to the website, even though the intro letter says:

..."members-only website -- www.preferredselect.com. Now you can access exclusive Preferred Select offers and unique travel information"...

Sounds like marketing to me.

Ben.

I don't know which is worse--you've got a new card with a valid expiration date but no access to the website. I've still got access to the website (and the assurance of PS customer service that I'm PS), but my card expired last month...

Not sure about the advantage of this program.

I have been Select for as long as I can remember. I don't generally like upgrades. If I rent a compact car, I do so for gas mileage, ease of getting around in city etc. If I rent a full-size then I want comfort for distance travel etc. I guess the various upgrades from full-size to luxury are OK but not the same as upgrades from econo to business or first on airlines.

I would rather have a REALLY GOOD discount rate, along the lines of those available from our best discount code on this forum (Marshall School of Business or AVIS shareholders).

Interesting reading. What is that you really want? I really don't get all these 'issues' that were mention. I agree with last posting, I want a good rate, good mileage. If I want a confortable care, with less mileage per gallon, then I would rent one.

Reading the 'benifits' for the PS program, it does state 'if available'. What is AVIS to do, go get a car from Hertz or 'block' upgradable cars just in case a PS member makes a reservation? I'm not a PS invited renter, I think I should since I had 22 one or two day rentals last year. Got upgrades, I think a few, something like three times, even refused a SUV upgrade once (DFW to Houton and back rental). I get the WSJ here and there besides I'm renting the car not looking for a free paper. Only once was the car running and A/C was on and that was because they brough it up to the preferred booth since it wasn't ready when I arrived, an hour early, and other rentals were late.

From what I can see, all benifits are 'if available' and not mandatory. Regarding counter personal, yes, they could be 'nicer' but are you always the 'best' customer or 'nice' to your customer. We all have bad days or minutes in our day but is 'everyone' bad you to all the time, I wouldn't think so. Everyone makes mistakes so give them a break and smile the next time, you'll be surpised at the result.

(I have a friend that works behind a counter at a major company and from what she tells, I would think that every customer she gets is from h*ll and she is not at fault each time. Knowing her, if she would read these pages, none would get upgrades!)