I think I have been burnt for the final time by Avis. Time to go to Hertz, the other corporate approved agency.

Rented a one-day rental out of PHL last Friday afternoon. Reservation for a full-size, as always. Got to my spot to find a Toyota Corrolla.

Went to the booth, waited in line (isn't the whole point of First to avoid the wait?)...was told no, my reservation was for Intermediate. In 10 years, I have never wanted an Intermediate, nor have I accidentally rented one. But I was told in no uncertain terms that this was my reservation.

I said, fine, suppose I rented an Intermediate. As an Avis First, I would like my upgrade to Full please. The two people at the desk said that Avis, as a matter of policy, no longer upgrades any Avis First members.

Had them change to another car, I forget what, but slightly larger. I wish I had taken pictures of this car...wow. By far the worst rental that I have ever received. It had quite literally been in a flood...very recently. The seats were all stained, damp, and the car smelled like mold. I was amazed.

Back to the booth to trade to a G6, 25,000+ miles, smoking.

The best part came today, when I checked my original reservation. Not only had I really reserved a full size, those jems working there both downgraded my reservation and decided to charge me MORE for it!

I called customer service, and the woman couldn't care less. Basically told be stuff happens, and I have to live with it. She's supposedly creating a case, and a manager is supposed to call me. I have no faith.

I can't see how things could get much worse anywhere. I'm really done - Avis has given me no reason to stay.

1 - No more upgrades

2 - No more going right to my car and getting out. Have to go to the desk/booth.

3 - Terrible, terrible cars

4 - No more earning miles and weekends

5 - Terrible, terrible customer service. We try harder? Really?

Good. Bye.

I have had a couple of involuntary downgrades in the last year.

One, was to a Volkswagen Rabbit (compact) which was probably a lot nicer than whatever they would have been offering as an intermediate, which I had reserved. They had adjusted the price downwards for the dollar or two a day for the compact vs. intermediate cost. That wasn't so bad.

I _always_ print out and carry my ininerary with me. On another occasion, I was involuntarily downgraded to a compact and they tried to tell me "that's what you reserved, sir..." With proof in hand, I ended up with a decent upgrade.

Usually stations pull this s**t when they have run out of cars.

Not to offset how you feel, I am with you, but I have seen several people who have said on this board that they were told Avid First does not qualify for upgrades, however, to better arm ourselves with the discussion the website still says it's a part of the Avis First program. If needed perhaps we as travelers need to print that out and bring it with us, since it appears to be still publicized.

http://www.avis.com/car-rental/conte...navId=T4M03S03

FREE two-day weekend rentals earned with every fourth qualifying rental of two or more days

FREE one-car class upgrades when available - to get you to your destination in style

Continued Preferred Service - skip the lines and go directly to your vehicle

Dedicated 800 number available day and night - for service at your convenience

Members-only Web site that gives you easy access to special offers, your personal profile and online support 24/7.

I always advocate arming yourself with indisputable information, however all they'll probably start doing is claiming the upgrade "isn't available". Short of jumping onto their computer and accessing their fleet utilization records for the duration of your stay, there isn't much you can do, even if you booked a 'C' and spot a dozen Impalas on the ready line.

And to the OP, I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience. Involuntary downgrades are my number one pet peeve in car rental. Either give me what I booked, or give me something a class up. That's the way it's always been, and the way it always should be.

I think they're all terrible. I defected loudly from National to Avis. I've had four grand marquis in a row. I called CS and asked them to note my record. We'll see what happens.

This has actually worked for me. After three Grandma-quis (and successfully switching them out), I had the refusal noted in my profile and not received one since.

The main sore point for me is the fact that they charged me MORE for the lower class vehicle. Unbelievable...

Talking to agent last nite and he told me due to upcoming changes to policy preferred members will no longer get comp upgrdes. Then again, I rented a car from Hertz recently that had almost 34K on odometer. I think it's tough all around right now for car rental co's. He also stated that Dollar/Thrifty may fold up because of slow business/tough credit situation.

From the Avis site, preferred members don't get comp upgrades. The buzz on here is because locations are stating that FIRST members don't get upgrades, which they're entitled to (when available) per the Avis First site.

I had not thought of doing that.....thanks for the tip. ^

Tried National...saved $20 a day, got my car 5 minutes faster, rental shows up in emerald profile without having to call or email and waste time to get it to show up, and received an email receipt within an hour of returning the car. ^

Trying National again Monday, if that goes well....goodbye avis

Maybe we should start a thread that says who left Avis

I am about done with AVIS after my recent experience at JFK. I am "preferred" and our car was not waiting as normally the case - event though I arrived on time. The big board had my name but "CTR" instead of the usual lot locator. After figuring out that CTR meant COUNTER I headed over and waited for 20+ minutes in the preferred line for someone to finally come to the desk and assist us (there was only one in front of me).
The agent claimed that because they were 'sold out' they were not having the cars ready for preferred's. To make maters worse, as the agent was helping the people in the 'preferred' line she was taking phone calls and helping callers as a priority over people in line and at her window!? That is not only poor business it is just plain rude.

Bottom line - what typically should have been a 3 minute procedure took over 40 minutes for no good reason.

Is this typical at JFK? I've never seen it so bad and I'm ready to go to Hertz when possible.