Is a 4-door an upgrade from a 2-door?
 

I'm Avis Preferred Select. Last night I landed in OMA, and went to the Avis Preferred desk to get my car. I had booked a 2-door full-size. I was offered a Monte Carlo, and asked if any upgrades were available (the garage was full of Premiums). The agent told me I could upgrade into an Impala. He said that a 4-door full size was an upgrade from a 2-door full size. Is this true? I pay the same for a 2- or 4-door, and almost always get the upgrade to premium or luxury anywhere else.

Was I being lied to, or shoulf I change my profile to 4-door full size to get the premium? Thanks.

i think it is technically an upgrade, but the daily rate is about $2 more for four-door fullsize. 2 door full-size is D-class, 4 door full-size is E-Class

http://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/rentalsu...OUNTRY_CODE=US

The agent was correct. A full size 2 door is a D class car. A full size 4 door car is a E class car. Because premium and luxury are the top end, the agent would have to get lead or mgr permission to upgrade into them "beyond the perscribed" one class upgrade given to select members.

If you want a premium, you need to change your profile to a full size E class.

here is the scoop.

X 2 door subcompact
z 4 door subcompact
A 2 door compact
B 4 door compact
C intermediate
D 2 door full size
e 4 door full size
F * Mini SUV (considered specialty and off the upgrade chart)
G premium
H luxury
k * convertible (and i believe something else in other markets)
P * 15 passenger vans, or jeeps depending on locality
W * SUV
V * Minivans.

Going from one letter to another letter on this scale is an upgrade or a downgrade, depending on the direction. The specialties (star items) are not part of ANY "non revenue upgrade" scheme, meaning no free upgrade certificates, no Select upgrades, no chairman or presidents club upgrades.

Specialties, however, in the chairman/CEO, presidents club, and on some occasions perferred select, can be "substituted by request."

Example, in your case,you were given a "proper" upgrade by definition. You could have said "how bout I get an F class instead?" they probably could do it (f class, or the ford escapes, are often used as a mid size substitute, compact substitute, and a last resort full size substitute because it is "small enough to be a compact, intermediate, and big enough for most people not to get upset if they are out of full size cars.)

If you were perferred select, you probably (depending on how busy things were) could have requested a convertible (non premimum convert like a sebring) if one was available.

Interesting. I always reserved a full size "e class". Only once have I been upgraded to the next logical, allowable car, "g class" premium.

If I get an upgrade, it is to luxury or SUV. I also notice the frequency of upgrade increases as the price of gas goes up. 2 of my last 3 cars have been Trailblazers - major gas hogs.

You can declne the upgrade.

They are giving you the gas hogs because they have Alot of them. and they arent renting as good.

Simply make the point "I would rather have a caddy for my upgrade for gas purposes, unless your willing to give me a 5.00 gas credit on checkout" or
"give me 5.00 off and ill take the SUV. I didnt want an SUV so I Didnt book it. giving it to me would simply be a waste of money on the gas side for me."

one thing to consider, some places dont carry the G class (premium).

Next time you are there, simply ask the following.

"ive been given an SUV, while I travel for business. The SUV doesnt fit my needs. Can I have a Buick Lesabre instead?"

If they tell you no, Ask for the manager. tell them "I understand that the SUV for a full size is a nice upgrade to a specialty, but the extra gas doesnt fit my needs, in fact it will increase my costs since I could be driving considerably this trip. Would you consider a Convertible specialty or the G/h class instead?