Avis Fleet List (US & Canada Cars by Class)
Jan 10, 2010, 3:30 pm
#92
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
I was out of the country for a bit, but I just made all of the modifications listed... thanks everyone!
I've also made the following orange: Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable (Pre 2009) and the Ford Taurus X.
Further, Avis.com fleet list now shows the Smart Car under a new car category "Mini Cars". It only shows "Smart Car", though, not a specific model. The picture is a Smart fortwo. I tried to make reservations at select large US airports, but couldn't find any that listed it. Following the text in the links, it appears to be a "Specialty Car" even though Avis gives it a new category.
I've also made the following orange: Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable (Pre 2009) and the Ford Taurus X.
Further, Avis.com fleet list now shows the Smart Car under a new car category "Mini Cars". It only shows "Smart Car", though, not a specific model. The picture is a Smart fortwo. I tried to make reservations at select large US airports, but couldn't find any that listed it. Following the text in the links, it appears to be a "Specialty Car" even though Avis gives it a new category.
Last edited by IAHtraveler; Jan 10, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Jan 12, 2010, 4:59 am
#93
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
I feel sorry for the pour soul that'll inevitably get "upgraded" into one having booked a fullsize for his 5 travel companions and luggage... 
YYJ had a handful of Smart ForTwos ages ago (circa 2006?) and they quietly disappeared. I notice the Mini Car class isn't listed for Canada as of yet.
YYJ had a handful of Smart ForTwos ages ago (circa 2006?) and they quietly disappeared. I notice the Mini Car class isn't listed for Canada as of yet.
Jan 12, 2010, 12:11 pm
#94
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Jan 15, 2010, 12:28 pm
#95
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Further, Avis.com fleet list now shows the Smart Car under a new car category "Mini Cars". It only shows "Smart Car", though, not a specific model. The picture is a Smart fortwo. I tried to make reservations at select large US airports, but couldn't find any that listed it. Following the text in the links, it appears to be a "Specialty Car" even though Avis gives it a new category.
I'm wondering if they are limiting them to larger city locations (would make sense) at least initially.
Jan 29, 2010, 1:01 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Platinum, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Avis First
Posts: 150
Apparently Nissan Versa is an Intermediate. I got one this week at MDT (generally get Altima). Obviously was irritated given how underpowered/light/crammed/basic it was. When returning, the guy taking it in said its a compact. Went to the counter, person who knows me for 8-9 months now claimed its actually an intermediate and the guy taking the return was wrong.
Jan 30, 2010, 7:53 pm
#97
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Apparently Nissan Versa is an Intermediate. I got one this week at MDT (generally get Altima). Obviously was irritated given how underpowered/light/crammed/basic it was. When returning, the guy taking it in said its a compact. Went to the counter, person who knows me for 8-9 months now claimed its actually an intermediate and the guy taking the return was wrong.
Jan 30, 2010, 11:15 pm
#98
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
Apparently Nissan Versa is an Intermediate. I got one this week at MDT (generally get Altima). Obviously was irritated given how underpowered/light/crammed/basic it was. When returning, the guy taking it in said its a compact. Went to the counter, person who knows me for 8-9 months now claimed its actually an intermediate and the guy taking the return was wrong.
Feb 2, 2010, 12:50 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Platinum, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Avis First
Posts: 150
No luck.
Thank you for contacting Avis through www.avis.com.
My sincere apologies for the experience you had at Harrisburg Intl
Airport.
I checked their fleet to see what car class the Nissan Versa and it is a
C class. MDT is not a corporate location so they can pretty much put
their cars in any class they want. Since you do rent from MDT a lot you
can request that you do not like the Nissan Versa because it is to small
for you. The counter will do its very best to accommodate you.
Avis takes seriously its commitment to have the confirmed car available
when and where the customer has reserved it. Although car sizes are
guaranteed, specific makes or models, or optional features cannot be
guaranteed. Reservation agents can advise the counter on a renter's
preference, and when this is done, the counter will make every effort to
accommodate the preference when possible.
Although we realize that we cannot make up for a disappointing
experience such as this, we do appreciate your making this report to us.
We hope this explanation has fully answered your questions.
My sincere apologies for the experience you had at Harrisburg Intl
Airport.
I checked their fleet to see what car class the Nissan Versa and it is a
C class. MDT is not a corporate location so they can pretty much put
their cars in any class they want. Since you do rent from MDT a lot you
can request that you do not like the Nissan Versa because it is to small
for you. The counter will do its very best to accommodate you.
Avis takes seriously its commitment to have the confirmed car available
when and where the customer has reserved it. Although car sizes are
guaranteed, specific makes or models, or optional features cannot be
guaranteed. Reservation agents can advise the counter on a renter's
preference, and when this is done, the counter will make every effort to
accommodate the preference when possible.
Although we realize that we cannot make up for a disappointing
experience such as this, we do appreciate your making this report to us.
We hope this explanation has fully answered your questions.
Feb 2, 2010, 7:58 pm
#100
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
I would reply that the Versa is MUCH smaller than the "Intermediate" class details that are posted on Avis.com. The details, when comparing the Versa to the G6 (Avis.com's example of an intermediate):
Front hip room: 7.5% less
Rear shoulder room: 10% less
Rear hip room: 10% less
There's no way that car is in the same class as an intermediate when you try to haul 5 people. I know that they always say "or similar" but there's no way that 10% less back seat room is "similar".
Again, I'm sounding like a broken record, but I'd send off a complaint to the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) because they gave you something significantly less than you agreed to, for the same price. Even if they are not a "corporate location", they take their bookings from Avis.com and Avis *CAN* dictate which car is in which category.
Front hip room: 7.5% less
Rear shoulder room: 10% less
Rear hip room: 10% less
There's no way that car is in the same class as an intermediate when you try to haul 5 people. I know that they always say "or similar" but there's no way that 10% less back seat room is "similar".
Again, I'm sounding like a broken record, but I'd send off a complaint to the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) because they gave you something significantly less than you agreed to, for the same price. Even if they are not a "corporate location", they take their bookings from Avis.com and Avis *CAN* dictate which car is in which category.
Feb 12, 2010, 7:49 am
#103
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
Mar 11, 2010, 9:22 am
#105
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Farmingville, NY
Programs: AARP
Posts: 13
I asked if they had anything else and the rep said he could call and see if anything was in the area, but it would be a wait. I argued that the Versa could not POSSIBLY be an intermediate, but he said it was ever since the Toyotas all got pulled. He said, "it's really roomy and you'll probably like it."
I do NOT like it. It is severely underpowered, it hops over every crack in the road, and the seats are terrible. If there was another rental option nearby I'd never use Avis again. I am so ticked off that I'm stuck with this car for another 3-4 days while my car gets fixed. How does Avis justify this tiny econobox being anything other than a compact?? I don't care how much headroom it has. This is a COMPACT car.