Dubious upgrade coupon
 

Don’t know if this is targeted within the group of Fastbreak members but thought I’d pass it along anyway.

It seems to offer the opportunity to get a double upgrade during the specified date range. However, when I called the number listed they said that entering the coupon might change my rate. The reality was that my 4+ day rate for a full size car went from $188 to over $300. Seems like I could have just booked the higher class in the first place if I wanted a bigger car at a higher price.

Here are the details from the mail:

Dear HUB Flyer,

We hope you’ve enjoyed your Fastbreak experience with Budget. And as a special thank you for using Fastbreak, we would like to extend this exclusive, reusable offer to you.

Enjoy a free double upgrade on all rentals you make from November 1st through December 15th.

Get the speed and convenience of Fastbreak plus the extra comfort of a double upgrade. A win-win, you might say.

Terms and Conditions
Double Upgrade:
Please apply Coupon # UUPZ012 to your reservation to take advantage of this offer. Reservation must be made by calling 1-800-Budget-4. Coupon valid for a two-car group upgrade on an Intermediate (Group C) through a Full Size two-door (Group D) car. Maximum upgrade to Premium (Group G). Offer valid on weekend, weekly and monthly rates only. One coupon per rental. Coupon valid at participating Budget locations in the contiguous U.S. and Canada. An advance reservation with a request for a double upgrade is required. Offer is subject to vehicle availability at time of rental. Taxes, concession recovery fees, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA), optional items and other surcharges may apply and are extra. Renter must meet Budget age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age is 25, but may vary by location. Rental must begin by December 15, 2004.

This has happened to me several times before.. :eek: I think it is all about playing the Budget game... :(

Most coupons from car rental companies have negative value. The best use of them is to help start up your fireplace.

Yep, and...
 

I've written Webster, and asked them to include the phrase "Budget Customer Service" as an oxyMORON

I don't think I have used a Car coupon in years because of what you just mentioned (and it is not limited to Budget - it is across all companies).

I used to (years ago) try the various codes, etc., and found out rather quickly that you have to pay a lot more to get an upgrade or free day than if you just used a AAA discount or corp code.

In the car rental industry coupon usually = ripoff

PEACE!

It is incredibly easy to arbitrage (I call it "carbitrage") rate classes.

When the gap between the rate of the smallest car you are willing to put up with and the car you want is too large, reserve the smaller car and negotiate at the counter. If they have inventory, it is usually far cheaper to upgrade then.

When reserving my last rental (Alamo), I had the choice of a mid-size for $16 or an SUV for $45 a day. I took the mid-size. At the counter, they offered to upgrade me to an SUV for $7 more a day. Bingo!