Used this: UUFA014

Ok. Got off the phone with James. Told him the original paperwork which was $214.99 + Tax. So when I said about the double upgrade, he said I was upgraded. My original paperwork had me as a Class D (Ford Fusion or Similar) and I got a Class E (Nissan Altima). Weird cause he said I requested a 2 door standard size vehicle and i got a 4-door intermediate size vehicle which counts as a double upgrade. Furthermore, he said that Avis puts a hold of the total amount + 40% on the Credit Card. This sounds weird practice to me, as when I returned, had I not checked the total amount, they would have charged me $335 instead of the total of $285. What's the point of having Preferred membership if you still have to go through all these hassles. The whole point was to save time by bypassing the lines at counter and not have to worry about such stuff when returning.

I had better experience with National. At least I picked any car on the lot, and upon return, told them honestly what I felt about the car (which had ~30k miles; gave a warning of oil change required; steering vibrated when I hit the breaks) and right on the spot, I was given a credit of one full day. Without asking. Maybe I ought to try Hertz this time, as my company only has corporate rates set up with Avis and Hertz...

I used the same one. We'll see what happens. I'm at a small airport, so hopefully I'll get a nice bump up.

This sounds like BS to me. Here is the wording from the single upgrade coupon from the Avis website:

"Coupon valid for a one time, one car group upgrade on a compact (group B) through a full-size four-door (group E) car."

So the reasonable interpretation is that Avis has car groups that go by letters, A, B, C, etc. and an upgrade means that you get a car in the next highest group. So going from D to E is a single upgrade, period.

Does Avis not have 'better' vehicles within particular classes like Hertz, i.e. YB or YC, instead of just B and C? If so, those count -- with Hertz anyway --as a one-class upgrade. For example, if you book a full-size (F), like an Impala, you could get a Camry (YF) and that is a one-class upgrade, so you don't have to go A>B or B>C etc.

Word to the wise, NEVER get a quote of the rate + tax. ALWAYS get a quote for the full rental rate, including all taxes and fees. That is always what I do, and I never have a problem. Also, the credit card hold on rate + 40% is inconsistently applied, some locations hold just the rate, or just the rate + 20%, etc.

Avis doesn't have anything similar to the Y's at Hertz AFAIK. I have received some nice cars that would probably deserve to be called "better" (such as Impala LTZ w/ sunroof) and never seen any indication on the receipts that they were considered better than others in their class.

Thank you for your help. My original paperwork was $214.99 + Tax but it DID show the total amount of $285 and change.... It was just a mix up at their end for some reason.

Now I need to rent the car for another week now. If I rent a full-size this time, and use the same coupon, should I get a Premium car? and what can I do to ensure that the next time I go pick up the car, I can have that coupon applied??? Right now the rates are pretty much the same (between Avis & Hertz). I definitely don't want an Impala or a Malibu.

Interesting, what is wrong with an Impala or Malibu?

I would call James back and ask him how to set your reservation up so your coupons will be properly applied. In the past, if I have had any trouble, I have called James to get him to fix rates, reservations, charges, etc. Sometimes I just called him to make my reservations period, less hassle that way.

Nothing is wrong with Impala or Malibu. Just driven them way too much. Would like to get something different.
Thanks again. I'll give James a call and get the reservation worked out.
Cheers

Location: SFO
Status: President
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Buick Lucerne

Was heading to Monterey for a 2 Day High Performance school at Skip Barber. Was originally offered a 300M, but asked for anything else. Unfortunately, they were out of G37s, CTSs and 3 series BMWs. The agent then went down the list and pretty much offered me my choice of whatever I wanted. I passed on the Mustang and Camaro and went for a more comfortable ride.

It was very nice that they pretty much gave me pick of anything in the garage.

Location: DCA 4/1-4/4/2011
Status: Chairman's Club
Reserved: mid-size
Received: Cadillac SRX4 with installed GPS (I called ahead to request a vehicle with installed GPS, since I hate the dash top units); about 12,900 on the clock; but very clean (just one scuff on the front pax door); ran very well

Location: CMH
Status: Preferred
Reserved: Ford Fusion or similar
Received: Cadillac CTS

Went to pick it up and was offered an altima again. I politely asked about the double upgrade coupon I used and the agent said that they did not have any available in the premium section. After punching in a lot of keys, he asked me to check out this Cadillac. I said yeah it's good and he handed the keys to me.

Great car with leather, heated seats, and XM. Has 21k miles on it. Just a few things off, the wheels had scratches on them. The passenger seat had gum stuck to it. I didnt care as I was going to drive by myself. Now I think there might be more wrong with it. When I picked it up at CMH, it said that tire pressure was about 30 in one tire. The next morning I got a warning saying that pressure was low. Had dropped to about 14. I filled it up Monday morning and drove 7 hrs to VA. Now yesterday night pressure sensor said the same tire's pressure was low. This morning, dropped it to 12 again. I filled it up with air again. I called Avis yesterday night and told them to put a note in case it leaks again. So what are my options? I don't wanna have to drive another 7 hrs thinking the tire is flat. Moreover I go through mountains which means no cell phone reception. The closest Avis is also an hour away at GSO. What are the chances that they replace this car and give me a similar one for the return trip back home???
Thank you

I would start with a call to Avis, and ask for their suggestion/solution.

Already called them. The guy said it must be weather related and stuff. I told him I'm in 60 degree weather. But nonetheless, he put a note with the reservation (or so he said). After work today, will check and call again. If need be, might have to drive to GSO I Avis advises.
Thanks for your help!