Upgrade from compact and Neverlost
 

Hello,

I'm new to Hertz discussions and a quick search hasn't found this specific topic. I have a new #1 account and I have in my profile that I like Neverlost. I'm using a double upgrade promotion for a 2-day weekend rental in Seattle in May. The total approx. charge for a compact (2 days inclusive) is $37.49, and I presume Neverlost isn't available. For an intermediate, the daily rate is less than a dollar more, but the total is $61.32 including the charge for Neverlost. So if I book the compact and get upgraded, would I need to pay for the Neverlost? I actually don't want too big a car. With base rates this low, should I expect plenty of availability for upgrades? I'm wondering whether to book the intermediate to be sure of getting Neverlost, or book the compact, hope to get lucky, then find out how much for a car with Neverlost if not.

Only Prestige Collection cars come with NeverLost by default.

Therefore, if you rent a Compact and upgrade to an Intermediate via coupon, you will receive an Intermediate without NeverLost.

So if you want NeverLost, rent the Intermediate with it and then decide whether or not you want the upgrade to a Full-Size or Premium, provided they a) have the cars, and b) have the cars with NeverLost.

[This message has been edited by SEA_Tigger (edited Feb 26, 2004).]

This isn't an answer, but only a point of reference. I almost always reserve a compact and I don't think I've ever gotten one.

I've been given a car with Neverlost one time in about 10 rentals.

What type of car did you get? Also, more NL are in the larger cars than the smaller ones.

Only mid-size and up come with Neverlost. If you don't want to pay it, I would book a cheap car and ask if anything with Neverlost is available when you get to the counter. They will probably charge you but maybe not.

QL

Another random point of reference:

- I have never gotten a midsize or standard car with Neverlost.

- I get Tauruses with NL about a third of the time. This is my most common rental: booked midsize/standard; I show up and there is a Taurus in my stall. It's a very common upgrade for 5*/PC midsize bookings.

- On those less-common occasions where I get a whopper upgrade to a premium/luxury/prestige car, there is nearly always a NL unit in the car.

Conclusion: bigger/fancier the car, better chance you will get Neverlost. If I were you, I would probably retain my compact booking at the great rate, and make sure to throw a decent map in your luggage. (Don't rely on the one-pager that Hertz gives you.)

I received a YC (Upgraded Intermediate) Olds Alero four-door today at SEA and it had NeverLost.

Usually intermediate. There was a bunch of SUV's until my profile was updated with
no SUV's. The one with Neverlost was probably a full size car.

------------------
Flyertalk moderators - more harm than good

BTW, as far as I know YC isn't really an upgrade, although it is a nicer C car. An upgrade would be a 2 door full.

Thanks, all. I've booked the Intermediate and it says Neverlost is guaranteed. I discovered NL last year when I booked a cheapo rate and got upgraded in a city I know pretty well, and I'd like to use it when I don't know my way so well. I've used Internet directions a lot, and I like to have the alert when I'm reaching my turnoff or destination.