Consolidated "Renting at SFO; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
#317
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,178
Arrived yesterday (Sunday) around 1500. PC was fully-stocked with numerous mid-size SUV; I noted Ford Edge, Nissan Rogue, Kia Sorrento, Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V, Chevy Equinox, and a Volvo XC-40 among the options. I also noted a single Chrysler Pacific PHEV minivan. For sedans, a single Chrysler 300, numerous other full-sizes, and some Mustangs, Challengers, and Camaros in base trim for coupes. Randomly, there was also a Nissan Frontier crew cab pickup and a 4 door Jeep Wrangler.
It wasn't that crowded so I poked around the SUVs and picked an L4 GMC Acadia AWD SLT with AZ plates, 8,900 miles on the odometer, and working Sirus/XM.
It wasn't that crowded so I poked around the SUVs and picked an L4 GMC Acadia AWD SLT with AZ plates, 8,900 miles on the odometer, and working Sirus/XM.
#318
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 57,580
Dec. 9 around 9:30 am, a pretty decent selection in PC, including Tesla Model X, Merc GLA, Alfa Stevia, plus a whole bunch of midsize sedans and SUVs. Considered the Stevia, but it was a little beat up. Wound up taking an XC-60 with under 1500 miles.
#319
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 50K, MR Plat
Posts: 52
Planning on renting a Model Y and taking it up to Tahoe in February. Have prepaid for the rental direct with Hertz right now.
Does anyone know if the tires are M+S and or if the chain guys on the side of the road have ones that could accommodate a Model Y tires if CHP requires it?
Or should I switch to a traditional SUV that will likely be all wheel drive and get one with M+S rated tires?
We would also be carrying 3 sets of skis (1 adult, 2 kids) and the 4 boots (hockey bag) and 2 other checked bags + back packs.
Does anyone know if the tires are M+S and or if the chain guys on the side of the road have ones that could accommodate a Model Y tires if CHP requires it?
Or should I switch to a traditional SUV that will likely be all wheel drive and get one with M+S rated tires?
We would also be carrying 3 sets of skis (1 adult, 2 kids) and the 4 boots (hockey bag) and 2 other checked bags + back packs.
#320
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 50K, MR Plat
Posts: 52
Planning on renting a Model Y and taking it up to Tahoe in February. Have prepaid for the rental direct with Hertz right now.
Does anyone know if the tires are M+S and or if the chain guys on the side of the road have ones that could accommodate a Model Y tires if CHP requires it?
Or should I switch to a traditional SUV that will likely be all wheel drive and get one with M+S rated tires?
We would also be carrying 3 sets of skis (1 adult, 2 kids) and the 4 boots (hockey bag) and 2 other checked bags + back packs.
Does anyone know if the tires are M+S and or if the chain guys on the side of the road have ones that could accommodate a Model Y tires if CHP requires it?
Or should I switch to a traditional SUV that will likely be all wheel drive and get one with M+S rated tires?
We would also be carrying 3 sets of skis (1 adult, 2 kids) and the 4 boots (hockey bag) and 2 other checked bags + back packs.
Changed rental to an AWD SUV (L) which had all-seasons with M+S. It was a Ford Edge with <100miles
We ran into dodgy weather going up to Tahoe on the 50; recommend folks to learn about R1/2/3 states if they do the same trip as we still needed to carry chains within the car.
#321
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 3
I went on the 31st of March at 12am. The lots were fully loaded.
Typical compact sedans and subcompact Crossovers in Gold
But a VW Taos and Hyundai Kona N-Line were in there
Presidents Circle was basically Rogues, Edges, Escapes, 1 Santa Fe. But out of the plethora of Edges, 2 of them were Titanium (Cooled seats, 180 degree camera, bunch of goodies), I took one with 16k miles and was a happy clam.
Typical compact sedans and subcompact Crossovers in Gold
But a VW Taos and Hyundai Kona N-Line were in there
Presidents Circle was basically Rogues, Edges, Escapes, 1 Santa Fe. But out of the plethora of Edges, 2 of them were Titanium (Cooled seats, 180 degree camera, bunch of goodies), I took one with 16k miles and was a happy clam.
#322
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Singapore
Posts: 17
Apologies if it's out of line to ask this in this thread, are we able to drive back to SFO should we have a change in mind of the car (fully fueled) but continue with the same reservation being a PC? And does all cars in the PC aisles be able to take it for a one-way rental? Will be ending the trip at LAX.
#323
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 57,580
11 pm Thursday, 4/19. My string of good luck ended. PC selection was awful. A bunch of high mileage strippers - Rogues, Kia's, etc., with a some base level Mustangs and Ford Edges. There were several customers wandering around complaining about the selection and hoping staff would bring out something decent. No such luck. I wound up taking a Mustang hardtop w/24k miles. Wow this is a loud car.
#325
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 391
Pay for W4 or take pot luck on the PC lot?
I have a W4 (Infiniti QX30 or similar) booked for 7 Jun. I could save myself $20 a day and just book myself a Group C and take pot luck from the PC lot.
As a PC - what kind of upgrade is likely on a W4 booking at SFO?
As a PC - what kind of upgrade is likely on a W4 booking at SFO?
#326
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,178
#327
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,203
Last Monday morning around 8am. PC was packed. One lime green Mini. Maybe two larger sedans. Everything else was an SUV - the majority medium SUV, but one or two larger ones.
Thankfully for the first time ever I actually wanted an SUV, so it was perfect - left with a Kia Sorento with 1500 miles on it. Only complaint was that not a single SUV I looked at (and I checked many) had the luggage screen in the trunk.
Thankfully for the first time ever I actually wanted an SUV, so it was perfect - left with a Kia Sorento with 1500 miles on it. Only complaint was that not a single SUV I looked at (and I checked many) had the luggage screen in the trunk.
#328
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 39
Was assigned a W4 on a Q4 res the other day, for example.
Also, speaking of SFO, I've been out here a dozen times in the past few months and the PC lots are really so much worse than pre-corona. Mostly just a sea of small-midsize SUVs. Lots of Rogues and Edges. Rarely see 7 seater SUVs, and if I do, it's probably a Sorrento (yuck). At least SJC tends to have a lot of Explorers. Never any nicer sedans here, doubly so now that Polestars and Model 3s are making their way out of the fleet. I'm lucky if I get to take a Malibu with leather. Occasionally a turbo 4 Mustang (I see these in Zone 3 far more than PC, actually), but never any GTs anymore. The days of every other rental being a V8 Charger/Challenger/Mustang/Camaro are long gone.
Despite the small lot, OAK on average probably has the best PC selection of the Bay area airports IMO. Sad to see how much worse SFO has gotten.
Last edited by Roona; May 27, 2024 at 2:08 am
#329
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 57,580
I've also had poor experiences at OAK lately, including minimal vehicle choice and incredibly rude counter service.
#330
Join Date: Aug 2024
Posts: 2
Bumping this thread, hoping to get some additional color. Anyone have any recent Hertz Z4 class pick ups to share?
Happy to report back early next week on what i get, but in the mean time would love to manage expectations on my end.
Taking a gamble and cancelled my Sixt Platinum (i5, minivan) to jump onto Hertz PC Z4 at SFO next week. Could not pass up $390/week offer! Secretly hoping QX60s and Land Rover Discovery are in low/no supply, much rather have a Jeep Grand Cherokee L/Wagoneer or XC90s.
Happy to report back early next week on what i get, but in the mean time would love to manage expectations on my end.
Taking a gamble and cancelled my Sixt Platinum (i5, minivan) to jump onto Hertz PC Z4 at SFO next week. Could not pass up $390/week offer! Secretly hoping QX60s and Land Rover Discovery are in low/no supply, much rather have a Jeep Grand Cherokee L/Wagoneer or XC90s.