List your upgrades!
Sep 2, 2013, 6:33 pm
#2101
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
Location: LEB (one-way to BOS)
Status: Avis First
Reserved: Full
Requested: Nothing
Received: Mitsubishi Outlander (Intermediate SUV)
There were not many cars on the lot; was offered a mini-van and a Ford Edge before we settled on this one. The agent wouldn't let me take the Explorer or Pathfinder that were sitting there. Fine for the 350 miles we did around Vermont and New Hampshire.
Status: Avis First
Reserved: Full
Requested: Nothing
Received: Mitsubishi Outlander (Intermediate SUV)
There were not many cars on the lot; was offered a mini-van and a Ford Edge before we settled on this one. The agent wouldn't let me take the Explorer or Pathfinder that were sitting there. Fine for the 350 miles we did around Vermont and New Hampshire.
Sep 3, 2013, 6:00 pm
#2102
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: MCI
Programs: Avis First, Hertz 5*, Hilton Gold, SW A-List
Posts: 55
First I tried to just upgrade to a Tahoe, but he wanted $80 per day. Then I changed the reservation to a standard SUV to try to get my Avis First upgrade to something bigger, hopefully a Tahoe. No go. I flat out asked, does the Avis First not even matter? He said it's all about supply and demand and so I said is every single car bigger than a compact or standard SUV booked?
So I did the standard SUV, got a Dodge Journey and I hate this piece of crap. 2600 miles and it sucks.
Are upgrades non-existent at LAX? Unlike the abundance of rude counter people. To top it off, I looked at the receipt and it says the class I paid for was a "premium." Sorry, a Dodge Journey is not a "premium."
Looks like I'm eating your shoe and mine. This synopsis is leaving out bickering and talking but it has been the worst rental experience for me.
Sep 3, 2013, 6:24 pm
#2103
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 728
What were offered when it was just a compact?
Welp, I'm in LA. I rented with Avis per project management. I booked a compact, but then when we landed I found out I am hauling 2 more people.
First I tried to just upgrade to a Tahoe, but he wanted $80 per day. Then I changed the reservation to a standard SUV to try to get my Avis First upgrade to something bigger, hopefully a Tahoe. No go. I flat out asked, does the Avis First not even matter? He said it's all about supply and demand and so I said is every single car bigger than a compact or standard SUV booked?
So I did the standard SUV, got a Dodge Journey and I hate this piece of crap. 2600 miles and it sucks.
Are upgrades non-existent at LAX? Unlike the abundance of rude counter people. To top it off, I looked at the receipt and it says the class I paid for was a "premium." Sorry, a Dodge Journey is not a "premium."
Looks like I'm eating your shoe and mine. This synopsis is leaving out bickering and talking but it has been the worst rental experience for me.
First I tried to just upgrade to a Tahoe, but he wanted $80 per day. Then I changed the reservation to a standard SUV to try to get my Avis First upgrade to something bigger, hopefully a Tahoe. No go. I flat out asked, does the Avis First not even matter? He said it's all about supply and demand and so I said is every single car bigger than a compact or standard SUV booked?
So I did the standard SUV, got a Dodge Journey and I hate this piece of crap. 2600 miles and it sucks.
Are upgrades non-existent at LAX? Unlike the abundance of rude counter people. To top it off, I looked at the receipt and it says the class I paid for was a "premium." Sorry, a Dodge Journey is not a "premium."
Looks like I'm eating your shoe and mine. This synopsis is leaving out bickering and talking but it has been the worst rental experience for me.
Sep 3, 2013, 7:05 pm
#2104
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: MCI
Programs: Avis First, Hertz 5*, Hilton Gold, SW A-List
Posts: 55
A Ford Focus. So a real compact, first time I didn't get the comp upgrade. I know I'm not a PC or CC (I'm just a worker, not an exec) but I guess I'm spoiled by it.
Oh well, I went to a neighborhood Avis and swapped to a Ford Flex Limited. It's not bad, waaaaaaaaay better than the Journey. I guess he explained the reason for the "premium" was that it is cheaper than charging for an SUV given the holiday. The rates on the SUV are really high.
Oh well, I went to a neighborhood Avis and swapped to a Ford Flex Limited. It's not bad, waaaaaaaaay better than the Journey. I guess he explained the reason for the "premium" was that it is cheaper than charging for an SUV given the holiday. The rates on the SUV are really high.
Sep 3, 2013, 7:39 pm
#2105
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 728
Males sense, and yes "SUV"s are more expensive than most. Of course when I was a First, most of my upgrades were SUVs. I think they get them hoping they rent them at the higher price, and then provide them as upgrades when they don't.
Catch the wrong weekend, and they aren't available. Going back two years, the "best" upgrade I was ever offered was a Crown Vic. I counted 14 on the late waiting for someone to take one. Although, in your case a Crown Vic might have worked just fine!
Catch the wrong weekend, and they aren't available. Going back two years, the "best" upgrade I was ever offered was a Crown Vic. I counted 14 on the late waiting for someone to take one. Although, in your case a Crown Vic might have worked just fine!
A Ford Focus. So a real compact, first time I didn't get the comp upgrade. I know I'm not a PC or CC (I'm just a worker, not an exec) but I guess I'm spoiled by it.
Oh well, I went to a neighborhood Avis and swapped to a Ford Flex Limited. It's not bad, waaaaaaaaay better than the Journey. I guess he explained the reason for the "premium" was that it is cheaper than charging for an SUV given the holiday. The rates on the SUV are really high.
Oh well, I went to a neighborhood Avis and swapped to a Ford Flex Limited. It's not bad, waaaaaaaaay better than the Journey. I guess he explained the reason for the "premium" was that it is cheaper than charging for an SUV given the holiday. The rates on the SUV are really high.
Sep 3, 2013, 8:22 pm
#2106
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: MCI
Programs: Avis First, Hertz 5*, Hilton Gold, SW A-List
Posts: 55
Males sense, and yes "SUV"s are more expensive than most. Of course when I was a First, most of my upgrades were SUVs. I think they get them hoping they rent them at the higher price, and then provide them as upgrades when they don't.
Catch the wrong weekend, and they aren't available. Going back two years, the "best" upgrade I was ever offered was a Crown Vic. I counted 14 on the late waiting for someone to take one. Although, in your case a Crown Vic might have worked just fine!
Catch the wrong weekend, and they aren't available. Going back two years, the "best" upgrade I was ever offered was a Crown Vic. I counted 14 on the late waiting for someone to take one. Although, in your case a Crown Vic might have worked just fine!
Sep 4, 2013, 8:44 am
#2107
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
Location: DEN
Status: Preferred
Reserved: (Whatever Class Buick LaCrosse was in May 2011)
Offered: Chevy Suburban
Received: Nissan Murano
I knew I would be driving into downtown Denver, then Laramie and back, and did not want the Suburban. I was first offered a Jeep Wrangler, which I promptly refused (I would have taken the Suburban first), before we agreed on the Murano.
The Murano had a back-up camera, which was nice. The camera was a huge help backing out of a space in a tight underground downtown garage, where having the Suburban would have been a nightmare.
Status: Preferred
Reserved: (Whatever Class Buick LaCrosse was in May 2011)
Offered: Chevy Suburban
Received: Nissan Murano
I knew I would be driving into downtown Denver, then Laramie and back, and did not want the Suburban. I was first offered a Jeep Wrangler, which I promptly refused (I would have taken the Suburban first), before we agreed on the Murano.
The Murano had a back-up camera, which was nice. The camera was a huge help backing out of a space in a tight underground downtown garage, where having the Suburban would have been a nightmare.
Sep 4, 2013, 8:51 am
#2108
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
Location: MCO
Status: Preferred
Reserved: Standard
Requested: Nothing
Received: Dodge Grand Caravan
We found the van waiting for us, which was a nice surprise, and then I saw the upgrade email later. My 6 year old son was thrilled. The van came in quite handy, as we needed to use only one vehicle for 6 people (Me, wife, son, parents, and SIL) to go to the parks.
Status: Preferred
Reserved: Standard
Requested: Nothing
Received: Dodge Grand Caravan
We found the van waiting for us, which was a nice surprise, and then I saw the upgrade email later. My 6 year old son was thrilled. The van came in quite handy, as we needed to use only one vehicle for 6 people (Me, wife, son, parents, and SIL) to go to the parks.
Last edited by JohnneeO; Oct 1, 2013 at 8:25 am
Sep 4, 2013, 9:44 am
#2109
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,034
Location: DEN
Status: Preferred
Reserved: (Whatever Class Buick LaCrosse was in May 2011)
Offered: Chevy Suburban
Received: Nissan Murano
I knew I would be driving into downtown Denver, then Laramie and back, and did not want the Suburban. I was first offered a Jeep Wrangler, which I promptly refused (I would have taken the Suburban first), before we agreed on the Murano.
The Murano had a back-up camera, which was nice. The camera was a huge help backing out of a space in a tight underground downtown garage, where having the Suburban would have been a nightmare.
Status: Preferred
Reserved: (Whatever Class Buick LaCrosse was in May 2011)
Offered: Chevy Suburban
Received: Nissan Murano
I knew I would be driving into downtown Denver, then Laramie and back, and did not want the Suburban. I was first offered a Jeep Wrangler, which I promptly refused (I would have taken the Suburban first), before we agreed on the Murano.
The Murano had a back-up camera, which was nice. The camera was a huge help backing out of a space in a tight underground downtown garage, where having the Suburban would have been a nightmare.
Sep 4, 2013, 12:45 pm
#2110
Join Date: May 2013
Location: TX
Posts: 240
Sep 4, 2013, 7:44 pm
#2111
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Edison, NJ
Programs: Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Hyatt Platnium, National Executive Elite
Posts: 128
Aug 29, 2013
MCO
President's Club
Booked: Intermediate
Received: Premium 2014 Chevy Impala, will try it next time.
Exchanged: Luxury Hyundai Genesis, I can't believe they label it as luxury, it was a base trim.
I walked pass by Hertz and noticed they have a Ferrari and some Porsche available for rent, wonder how much those would cost.
MCO
President's Club
Booked: Intermediate
Received: Premium 2014 Chevy Impala, will try it next time.
Exchanged: Luxury Hyundai Genesis, I can't believe they label it as luxury, it was a base trim.
I walked pass by Hertz and noticed they have a Ferrari and some Porsche available for rent, wonder how much those would cost.
Sep 4, 2013, 7:48 pm
#2112
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 110
Cool. On the honeymoon now. They offered to upgrade me for free to either a BMW 328i or a Lincoln MKT crossover. They were great but basic trims. And the line was growing long at LAX by the time I was getting back to the counter to pick the BMW.. So I instead went to alamo after canceling the reservation where I had a choice of Mercedes c250 a Hyundai genesis, a Cadillac ATS 2.5l and a Cadillac ATS 2.0t with HID and a massive sunroof n all the bells and whistles. Took that one. We are enjoying the ride. I have to say that it handles better than the new BMW 3 series. Only hiccup is that it now needs an oil change. So will have to swap it out. And I kinda don't want to.
Sep 4, 2013, 7:50 pm
#2113
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 110
Aug 29, 2013
MCO
President's Club
Booked: Intermediate
Received: Premium 2014 Chevy Impala, will try it next time.
Exchanged: Luxury Hyundai Genesis, I can't believe they label it as luxury, it was a base trim.
I walked pass by Hertz and noticed they have a Ferrari and some Porsche available for rent, wonder how much those would cost.
MCO
President's Club
Booked: Intermediate
Received: Premium 2014 Chevy Impala, will try it next time.
Exchanged: Luxury Hyundai Genesis, I can't believe they label it as luxury, it was a base trim.
I walked pass by Hertz and noticed they have a Ferrari and some Porsche available for rent, wonder how much those would cost.
Cayennes at las as well. About 20 of them just sitting pretty at hertz.
Sep 8, 2013, 8:42 am
#2114
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
I've been upgraded every time I've been to LAX, both as a PC and as AVIS First (years ago).... but... bottom line is: if you *need* a larger car/suv, book a larger car/suv.
Its not about if its booked or not, its about fleet management. If they feel they can sell the larger cars based upon what is available now, why would they upgrade you for free? Note they define the upgrade as "when available" - but that doesnt mean "when its sitting on the lot unassigned currently".
Its not about if its booked or not, its about fleet management. If they feel they can sell the larger cars based upon what is available now, why would they upgrade you for free? Note they define the upgrade as "when available" - but that doesnt mean "when its sitting on the lot unassigned currently".
Sep 8, 2013, 12:51 pm
#2115
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
Sept 2
SMF
Avis First
reserved intermediate
"upgraded" to not-a-2014 Impala. No... just no. I hate these things. They are awful cars built on a flabby GM platform that was old in 2003.
Bargained and ended up with a C-Max again. I have gotten these on request almost every trip this summer, and at 42-44mpg it makes the return fill-up a lot less painful.
I've also found that doing a forced reboot of Ford's awful MS Sync system before I leave the Avis lot ensures it'll work decently for at least a few days before it loses its mind again.
SMF
Avis First
reserved intermediate
"upgraded" to not-a-2014 Impala. No... just no. I hate these things. They are awful cars built on a flabby GM platform that was old in 2003.
Bargained and ended up with a C-Max again. I have gotten these on request almost every trip this summer, and at 42-44mpg it makes the return fill-up a lot less painful.
I've also found that doing a forced reboot of Ford's awful MS Sync system before I leave the Avis lot ensures it'll work decently for at least a few days before it loses its mind again.