Status: First
Location: IND
Reserved: Compact
Received: Eclipse with around 7800 miles

It's been a good week for upgrades.

Status: First
Location: BHM
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Grand Prix with 25,000 miles

As usual, a 1 way and it's whatever they most want to be rid of. I actually don't mind driving it and it acceleates far faster than the Town Car from earlier this week.

Status: President's Club
Location: SFO
Reserved: Premium
Received: Chrysler 300 with 20K miles (base model, Sirius, no leather)

Found a Lincoln Town Couch with no XM in my spot. Asked if there was anything else available. The rep said there was a Grandma Quis but looked at me and said she didn't think it was sporty enough...I agreed. I needed satellite radio since I was going to be driving in places with bad FM reception, so I ended up taking a 300. Not as nice as the Touring edition I had last week. Plus, it smells weird.

Status: President's Club
Location: TPA
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Caddy CTS
Traded: Crossfire 6,000mi
Traded again: Had to trade it in at FLL do to the convertible top not working. Now I have a white one with 4k on the clock.

Figured I would try out the Crossfire since it was just me, in somewhat sunny Florida. As my uncle would say, who is ex-milirary, "feels like sitting in a F-16," reason being is it is very cramped and not made for anyone over 6'0" tall. I am right at that mark and I barely fit with the top up.

Suprisingly no AUX input for an iPod and no satelite radio which sucks on a long road trip.

Otherwise I am very happy about the car . That is if you don't have to carry any luggage other than what can fit in the front seat or if your traveling with someone, the clothes on your back since if you put the top down, the trunk becomes obsolete.

Status: First
Location: ANB
Reserved: Compact
Received: Buick LaCrosse with 28,700 miles

Much more comfortable ride than the class I reserved. As usual, my 1 way rentals to the airport are all over the place depending on what the local station needs/wants to be rid of.

Status: First
Location: IND
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Jeep Liberty w/Sirius

IND was clearly out of cars at midnight tonight. I wish I'd have reserved compact because I likely would have ended up with an Eclipse Spyder. The lot had Eclipse Spyder's, PT Cruiser convertibles, one standard Eclipse, and an assortment of SUV's. There was not a sedan to be found.

Side note--the Liberty's radio doesn't seem to have any provisions for the name of the Sirius radio station--off to search for the channel list.

That's got to be the same radio as in my two 300's last week that were base models. When I finally got into a Nitro, it had the upgraded radio, which was quite nice. Hopefully I'll have time this week to get a ride report together for it!

Past 3 weeks

Status: Avis First
Location: JFK-LGA return
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Ford Expedition SUV

Status: Avis First
Location: LGA-JFK return
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Lincoln Town Car Signature

Status: Avis First
Location: JFK
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Ford Edge SUV

Status: Avis First
Location: JFK
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Chrysler Sebring (I'd consider it an upgrade after driving the last 3 behemoths in NYC)

Status: First
Location: CLE
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Saturn Vue with 26,000 miles

I actually enjoyed the acceleration of the V6 until I added 3 passengers.

Status: President�s Club
Location: FRA
Reserved: Volkswagen Golf or similar (Group C)
Received: Audi TT Roadster (Group E)

Status: First
Location: DEN
Reserved: Compact
Received: Chrysler Crossfire

Status: First
Location: BHM
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Impala with 26,000 miles

This is like the 6th car in a row with >25K. I want a new car and I want one now!

Status: First
Location: FSM
Reserved: Full Size
Received: XL7 with 10,000 miles

After my flight was cancelled, I was delayed in MEM for nearly 5 hours, with a new arrival time of ~9PM. I knew they closed at 6PM on the weekends so I called the location around 4PM only to get a busy signal when I tried to transfer with any of the options. I called the 800# and they confirmed the location closed at 6 and they couldn't help me. I explained that I NEEDED a car when I arrived and couldn't drive to the customer site without a vehicle. I inquired about possibly leaving the keys with NWA or something for me. He put me on hold & called the location. He came back to me & told me an employee would go back and meet me there when my flight arrived. I was quite impressed, especially after all the hassles I had 2 weeks ago on the east coast.

Status: Preferred
Location: SBN-ORD one-way
Reserved: Subcompact
Received: Minivan

Was VERY impressed...last-minute rental (called Preferred rez line from the counter) and it couldn't have gone better! Even changed an upcoming car rental for business travel from National to Avis! 2 for 2 on Preferred experiences!

Status: First
Location: MKE
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Subcompact

When I arrived at the Preferred booth, there were no names on the wall and there was a line. When I finally made it to the counter, the frizzy-haired lady behind the booth said I had a choice of a Kia Rio or a van. I pointed out that there was a G6 sitting right there. "Oh, that's out of service." Then why was it sitting on the lot backed in its space?? Yeah, right.

When I returned the POS Kia, I told the check-in agent my saga with a sad-dog expression. He gave me a $25 coupon. A thankful but small consolation.

This is not the only time this location has not been able to honor my reserved class (or one-class upgrade). Why bother making a reservation?