Consolidated "I'm Renting a Manager's Special; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Aug 11, 2014, 2:36 pm
#151
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Miami
Programs: Centurion, Delta PM, Hilton Diamond, US Plat Pref, AA Gold, Hertz Plat, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 27
Aug 11, 2014, 9:32 pm
#152
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
Posts: 2,955
I would just like to point out to all the people complaining about not getting their pcar, etc, that this is why it happens.
dupe booking up to a full size is generally not a big issue, but premiums, luxury, vans, and suv type stuff may be held or delivered to a location specifically for your rental -- in a shared fleet that means somebody else doesn't get it.
I'm not calling you out on this, btw --- it's every man for himself, but just making the observation.
dupe booking up to a full size is generally not a big issue, but premiums, luxury, vans, and suv type stuff may be held or delivered to a location specifically for your rental -- in a shared fleet that means somebody else doesn't get it.
I'm not calling you out on this, btw --- it's every man for himself, but just making the observation.
Got to the Gold Counter at SRQ and they had mrsmicah's PCAR rez all printed out and ready, but not my EXAR. I gave the guy my name and he reached for the wife's contract and keys, but I said I had my own rez. He said, "economy?" I said, "Manager's special, I think. What is it?" He said, "Chevy Sonic." I pointed out that the website said the EXAR reservation would seat 4 with two large suitcases. He laughed and said there was no way a Chevy Sonic would fit that (but wouldn't offer anything else). So I took the wife's rez. Oh well. It was worth a shot, and I don't blame him at all for not wanting to give me something bigger when I obviously had a double-booking.
Aug 12, 2014, 4:32 pm
#155
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
I'm guessing the "4-7" during booking is intended to say that it might be 4 or it might be 7 or anywhere in between.
Certainly in my experience the "at a rate that is equal to an Economy car" part frequently isn't true...
Aug 13, 2014, 4:31 am
#156
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
Yes but the economy cars don't take two large suitcases with 4 people and aren't claimed to.
I agree that there is no need to give a nicer car than economy but in that case why can't they indicate that the car may only carry as many people with as much luggage as an economy car, given that is what it may well be?
I agree that there is no need to give a nicer car than economy but in that case why can't they indicate that the car may only carry as many people with as much luggage as an economy car, given that is what it may well be?
Aug 14, 2014, 8:53 am
#157
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
Their website makes it very clear that you might get an Economy - https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/...gerspecial.jsp
I'm guessing the "4-7" during booking is intended to say that it might be 4 or it might be 7 or anywhere in between.
Certainly in my experience the "at a rate that is equal to an Economy car" part frequently isn't true...
I'm guessing the "4-7" during booking is intended to say that it might be 4 or it might be 7 or anywhere in between.
Certainly in my experience the "at a rate that is equal to an Economy car" part frequently isn't true...
Aug 16, 2014, 10:10 am
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
I am thinking about renting a Manager's Special at SFO. They describe the car as EXAR and the rate is $224 a week. Does anyone have a clue as to what I might end up with?
Aug 16, 2014, 10:26 am
#159
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG, DL KM, Bee Six, Bonvoy Plat, Avis PC, Natl Exec, Greyhound Road Rewards Z"L
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-J.
Aug 16, 2014, 5:18 pm
#160
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Programs: Amtrak Select Executive, Hertz PC, National EE, IC Diamond Ambassador, ALL Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 531
SFO I ended was assigned a Chevy Sonic Hatchback (B) as a PC member 6/7 times and a Hyundai Elantra (B) 1/7 times. I wound up going to the counter 6/7 times and left with an Intermediate (usually a newer Corolla).
As a Platinum a I received a Toyota Camry (F6) 2/3 times and a Chevy Impala LTZ (F) 1/3 times at SFO.
Usually you can ask and get at least an Intermediate vehicle, however it depends on their inventory. At other locations I've been assigned everything from a Pick up truck to a Volvo S80 on a Manager Special reservation.
As always it's a toss up but they tend to go for Compact or Intermediate vehicles if available at SFO. Usually much better than the going rate when booking those sized outright.
As a Platinum a I received a Toyota Camry (F6) 2/3 times and a Chevy Impala LTZ (F) 1/3 times at SFO.
Usually you can ask and get at least an Intermediate vehicle, however it depends on their inventory. At other locations I've been assigned everything from a Pick up truck to a Volvo S80 on a Manager Special reservation.
As always it's a toss up but they tend to go for Compact or Intermediate vehicles if available at SFO. Usually much better than the going rate when booking those sized outright.
Aug 17, 2014, 8:44 am
#161
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
ECAR Kia Rio $324.45
CCAR Ford Focus $324.45
ICAR Toyota Corolla $325.73
FCAR Chevy Malibu $394.38
XCAR Manager's Special $326.25
Based on the above rates aren't I better off simply renting the ICAR - Toyota Corolla or similar?
Aug 17, 2014, 9:46 am
#162
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
Yes, unless a 'D' (SCAR) is closer in price to 'C' (ICAR) than 'F'.
Occasionally when there's a big jump to 'F' then a premium car can be cheaper too.
But I would dismiss the manager's special in this case unless you like paying a $2 premium on your Chevy Spark :-)
(If price is more important than convenience, would it make a difference to pick up from one of the airport hotels, e.g., the Hyatt and miss out on the location fees?)
Occasionally when there's a big jump to 'F' then a premium car can be cheaper too.
But I would dismiss the manager's special in this case unless you like paying a $2 premium on your Chevy Spark :-)
(If price is more important than convenience, would it make a difference to pick up from one of the airport hotels, e.g., the Hyatt and miss out on the location fees?)
Aug 17, 2014, 12:40 pm
#163
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Aug 17, 2014, 8:32 pm
#164
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG, DL KM, Bee Six, Bonvoy Plat, Avis PC, Natl Exec, Greyhound Road Rewards Z"L
Posts: 16,665
I used your advice and compared the rates. For the 8 day reservation at SFO I found the following:
ECAR Kia Rio $324.45
CCAR Ford Focus $324.45
ICAR Toyota Corolla $325.73
FCAR Chevy Malibu $394.38
XCAR Manager's Special $326.25
Based on the above rates aren't I better off simply renting the ICAR - Toyota Corolla or similar?
ECAR Kia Rio $324.45
CCAR Ford Focus $324.45
ICAR Toyota Corolla $325.73
FCAR Chevy Malibu $394.38
XCAR Manager's Special $326.25
Based on the above rates aren't I better off simply renting the ICAR - Toyota Corolla or similar?
-J.
Aug 18, 2014, 5:48 am
#165
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
Aside for the potential of an upgrade they would need to do more on their pricing for the XCAR to lure me in.
Many thanks to all for their advice. ^