Does anyone know how to get a human being at Avis Corporate to speak to me about a mechanically defective rental car so I can get it replaced without spending my entire weekend on the phone?

Here’s the story:

i picked up a car at SFO today to drive to Napa for the weekend. I reserved the Select class and expected some sort of Jaguar (which I’ve rented from this location before). I was surprised to see that I had an F Type coupe, but figured it would be fun. After cramming our luggage in the minuscule trunk, we were off. About 30 minutes away from the airport, the “low coolant” warning light came on. I figured I could just address it when I got to Napa. I stopped at a grocery store, bought coolant and added it to the appropriate place(which was dry). I drove a little later and things seemed fine. After about an hour parked and maybe 20 miles of driving, however, the “low coolant” light came back on. So there is clearly a problem and I shouldn’t drive this car. The reasonable solution would be to just replace the car.

I tried to call the SFO location and struck out. I spoke to a very helpful person at Avis Roadside Assistance, who said the airport location could send someone to drop off a replacement vehicle and pick up the Jaguar. However, she said the location told her they were sold out of that car class. While I was talking to her, I went online and saw the car class (actually another Jaguar) was available. So the location was giving Roadside Assistance the run around. The Roadside Assistance rep suggested I call back tomorrow. Well, that doesn’t solve the problem. After a few calls, I managed to obtain the back line for SFO. When I called, it rang and rang without anyone answering. Customer Serice suggested I drive back to the airport and swap the car, but I’m not wasting hours of my vacation on that. Nor do I know that the location will even help me. So I am stuck.

I want to escalate this and get a replacement car so I can enjoy my weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions as to who I might call or what I should do?

dave

Thanks. I didn’t need the Jag, I just wanted a car from that class. (I reserved the select class that gives the J Type as an example.). I was fine with the F-Type; I thought it might be fun (but that trunk sure is small.). In any event, and as example for anyone searching this someday, there is replacement F Type (essentially identical to what I had - in fact, I checked the license plate to be sure) parked outside. I was on the phone with Roadside Assistance this morning for more than 90 minutes, mostly on hold while the rep tried to resolve my issue. In the end, she found a replacement vehicle and got it here while I was at the pool. Thanks Avis!