nexusCFX

Anyone know what premium/luxury is looking like at YYZ these days? I used to just rent compacts but I now drive an e-tron GT at home so I need to stop being so stingy with rentals. I'm not sure what YYZ would have though, due to the troublesome weather for much of the year.

IAHtraveler

For premium, it's basically a 300. I've rented the following on my most recent trips there (haven't looked at the receipts but assume they are Specialty, not Lux, but a Lux rental should be able to snag something nice): X2, X3, X5, 5 Series, Q5, F-Pace, Evoque, Discovery Sport, and fully loaded Palisade. The BMWs are MUCH better equipped in Canada than the US from what I've seen.

GW McLintock

♪ One of these is not like the other ♫

(and I'm not talking about the Evoque )

-J.

IAHtraveler

Oh I know... but the fully loaded Palisade was amazing! Full glass roof, heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 360 camera (that showed the blind spots when you used a blinker), very plush interior, etc. etc. Was way better than most vehicles rental agencies try to pawn off as a lux. car. Sure, it won't go 0->60 in 3 seconds, but I'd gladly take that on most reservations if I didn't always want to try whatever was new/different on the lot.

jizen

I've seen a lot BMW X2, X3 and brand new dodge charger GT in the past few weeks. Few chrysler 300s as well.

GW McLintock

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It sounds like Kia has come a long way. Though after the Forte I drove not too long ago, I'm in no hurry to find out for myself.

-J.

highlanderfil

Can anyone comment on Preferred Plus vehicle availability at LAX? Got a pickup on the morning of June 9th and am curious what to expect. Have a competing Hertz reservation, as well...

Angelina Marie Gill

I work for Avis Budget. One small error:
the dodge charger and challenger are usually specialty vehicles (XS) but are sometimes E depending on how old it is/what type.
Mustangs are (mostly) XB, as well as other smaller specialty vehicles,
Priuses are XC,
Small trucks such as a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Rogue are XD,
Large trucks such as a Ford F-150 are XW.

rustyosaurus

Hi all - I currently have an Avis Standard SUV reserved from Costco for two weeks out of Medford OR (returning to SFO). I really want a luxury car as long as it's a mid size luxury crossover like a Volvo XC60 or similar. The Standard SUV price is 1650 and the luxury price is 2650. Would it be cheaper to upgrade the Standard SUV at the counter or should I just go ahead and reserve it ahead of time?

I am also seeing a Luxury price of 2126 if I prepay on Avis.com. Not sure if they would upgrade me for less than that at the counter?

Thanks!

IAHtraveler

It's really hit-or-miss at the counter and it's possible that they don't have any lux cars available/staged upon arrival if there's not a reservation for one. However, being a 1-way rental from a smaller station, you'll have little negotiating power and they could even refuse any upgrade (even paid) so they keep their nicer cars.

rustyosaurus

Thank you! That is super helpful. Is there any way to ask for a larger luxury car, like a midsize crossover (or larger)? Basically, I don't want to get stuck with a Chrysler 300, because I'm going to be hauling 4 people.

m907

You can ask, but unless you have status with Avis you probably won't get it. If you really want a luxury car, you should reserve one.

rustyosaurus

Doesn't the luxury class include all types of cars? I don't see how you can reserve within the luxury class.

nacho

Isn't it nice to drive something crap to make you appreciate your e-tron GT more?

Got a almost new Chrysler 300s AWD at YYC as PC upgrade, and they told me this is a luxury car (can't compare to my own cars but I nodded and honestly I did appreciate the upgrade). It's new but nothing like my cars at home. At YVR I got a wreck as a PC upgrade (full of dings and dents and scratches, malfunction gearbox (stuck on 4 at the rpm things when entering highway), back windows button didn't work (didn't use it until crossing the border from the US to Canada) and insurance paper expired 2 years ago while the others were driving off with their X3 and Audis. When I went home Mr. met me at the local train station and he asked if I wanted to drive home in our own car, I said, "Yes, I need to drive a decent car".

m907

Since MFR is a small location, they are probably sold out of luxury SUVs for your dates, which is why you can't reserve one.