Consolidated "Renting at SAN (Diego); What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Mar 18, 2019, 8:14 am
#31
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Orange beach, Alabama
Posts: 1
I rented a wrangler from SAN earlier this month and received a 2019 4 door. Dont believe I have ever seen a 4x2 wrangler on the lot. I noticed a few ram 1500's that were also 4x4 but the chin spoiler is too low for me to be comfortable off pavement.
Apr 28, 2019, 10:01 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
Today (Sunday) around noon. All aisles were at least 90% full. Great day to be Gold or 5* since Gold/5*/PC were all stocked with the exact same selection. Only thing I saw parked in PC that wasn't in Gold/5* were a few Jeep Cherokees. (As an aside, SAN must have just gotten a monster shipment of Buick Encores - there were at least 20 of them scattered around, visually all in top trim with less than 200 miles.)
Sedans were mainly Malibus, Optimas, Cruzes and Mazda 3's - amazingly not a single Altima or Camry.
SUV's were heavy on RAV4's, assorted Kia's, Acadias, and maybe one or two Explorers, an Outlander, and a Tuscon.
A lone Ram pickup was in 5*.
For premiums, I spotted 1 Impala in Gold and a Taurus in 5*.
Luxury consisted of a few 300's parked in both PC and 5* - Infinitis/Cadillacs/Mercedes/etc. along with Jeeps and convertibles were either Reserved or in Premium Upgrade.
Just for kicks I was about to drive off with a Veloster from the compact section when they pulled a brand new Volkswagen Tiguan into 5* so I grabbed that instead. Fully loaded with 400 miles on the odometer, working XM, and a panoramic sunroof. Not a bad ride for the week.
Sedans were mainly Malibus, Optimas, Cruzes and Mazda 3's - amazingly not a single Altima or Camry.
SUV's were heavy on RAV4's, assorted Kia's, Acadias, and maybe one or two Explorers, an Outlander, and a Tuscon.
A lone Ram pickup was in 5*.
For premiums, I spotted 1 Impala in Gold and a Taurus in 5*.
Luxury consisted of a few 300's parked in both PC and 5* - Infinitis/Cadillacs/Mercedes/etc. along with Jeeps and convertibles were either Reserved or in Premium Upgrade.
Just for kicks I was about to drive off with a Veloster from the compact section when they pulled a brand new Volkswagen Tiguan into 5* so I grabbed that instead. Fully loaded with 400 miles on the odometer, working XM, and a panoramic sunroof. Not a bad ride for the week.
Jun 15, 2019, 7:11 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 33
Hertz President’s Circle 3rd of July in San Diego
What are the odds to getting a nice upgrade on 4th of July weekend also What’s the min rental class to get in order to get a nice upgrade ? TIA
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jun 15, 2019 at 5:40 pm Reason: moved into existing thread for this location
Jun 15, 2019, 5:40 pm
#35
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: 18,037
The minimum rental class would be an Intermediate (C) car; it may or may not be cheaper than the other rate classes eligible for Ultimate Choice. If you plan on using Ultimate Choice to secure a free upgrade or access to a Premium Upgrade, then you should reserve the cheapest rate for a car that is not in the Economy (A), Compact (B), or Manager's Special (A6) classes.
Questions/Discussion About Hertz Ultimate Choice Service
Questions/Discussion About Hertz Ultimate Choice Service
Jul 14, 2019, 11:48 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: AUS
Posts: 281
Previous 3 visits to SAN Hertz they've always had crap for cars. Today around noon was better than usual - Mustang Convertible (V6), 2x Q50s, and a bunch of 300s, small SUVs, and a few minivans. Much better than what National had out FWIW.
Jul 24, 2019, 10:56 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA gold; WN A; PC plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 425
Tuesday 7/23 evening.
Five Star: pickup trucks, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru (not sure Forester or Outback), Rav4, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Kona, standard sedans like Camry
PC: Dodge Charger, pickup trucks, Camaro, Toyota 4Runner, standard sedans like Corolla.
Five Star: pickup trucks, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru (not sure Forester or Outback), Rav4, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Kona, standard sedans like Camry
PC: Dodge Charger, pickup trucks, Camaro, Toyota 4Runner, standard sedans like Corolla.
Aug 23, 2019, 2:09 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 25
Wednesday 8/21 around 3:45pm
Slim pickings when I showed up:
Five Star: Ford pickup, standard sedans and compact SUVs
PC: 3x Fusion Hybrid Titanium, 2x Taurus, 3x GMC Arcadia, Altima, Rav4
Took my time deciding between the Fusion and Rav4, then the PC lot literally became flooded with nicer selections one after another
By 4:15pm
PC: 2x GLC 300, QX 60, Q50, Jaguar XF, Jaguar F-Pace, MB SLC, Dodge Challenger
Ended up loading/unloading my luggage 3 times from a RAV4 --> GLC 300 --> F-Pace (have been wanting to try it for a long time), felt like I won the jackpot LOL
Chatted with the porter who pretty much said they were getting slim on cars so putting nicer cars in PC. Great way to start a mini vacation for me!
Slim pickings when I showed up:
Five Star: Ford pickup, standard sedans and compact SUVs
PC: 3x Fusion Hybrid Titanium, 2x Taurus, 3x GMC Arcadia, Altima, Rav4
Took my time deciding between the Fusion and Rav4, then the PC lot literally became flooded with nicer selections one after another
By 4:15pm
PC: 2x GLC 300, QX 60, Q50, Jaguar XF, Jaguar F-Pace, MB SLC, Dodge Challenger
Ended up loading/unloading my luggage 3 times from a RAV4 --> GLC 300 --> F-Pace (have been wanting to try it for a long time), felt like I won the jackpot LOL
Chatted with the porter who pretty much said they were getting slim on cars so putting nicer cars in PC. Great way to start a mini vacation for me!
Apr 18, 2020, 1:21 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SFO/ATL/MEL/BKK
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist UA 1K MM, Delta Diamond
Posts: 2,678
Absolutely garbage selection in the PC area today mid Covid19. Ive seen some great cars in a few airports but shame on San Diego. Went upstairs to National and rolled out in a brand new BMW 330i for my trip to SMF. Missed my flight. Didn’t want to stay the night.
Apr 20, 2020, 8:29 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: CO *G, UA 2P, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 149
You're not the only one. I had a Luxury reservation the board said go to PC, after a walk around, went to office said check PC again. Everything there was below a luxury reservation. ...? After going back to the office three times and pushing on being offered a Chrysler 300 they finally relented on a BMW 430GC. There shouldn't be this issue with overflowing lots. After that fiasco, I've been having much better luck on pricing at Sixt in SAN with no status.
May 11, 2020, 7:11 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego US and Brisbane AU
Programs: AA EXP/2MM - DL PM - OZ Diamond - Bonvoy LTT - Hyatt Glob - IHG Plat - National EE - Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,315
Hopefully an improvement from previous reports, but today I noticed a few more interesting cars in the PC aisle. Several As/CLAs, one GLC, one 4-Series GC and a lone Mustang GT convertible hidden amongst the base Mustangs, all in the PC aisles with keys. I grabbed a 5-Series myself, which seems to be reasonably loaded, albeit in 530i spec...
IIRC, National has removed Aisle service and you have to go pick up from Enterprise now, so not sure how their Aisle availability is looking at the moment (guess I'll find out in a few weeks when trying to burn 1-2 Free coupons before June). And Sixt, while still the most competitive in terms of rates by far currently, seems to either be running out of premium cars, playing downgrade/upcharge games, or is just being incompetent (all of which I've experienced with them in the past anyway
). I had an XCAR reservation a few weeks ago (E-Class, 5-Series, S90) and they assigned me a Dodge Charger. Eventually I ended up with a CLA, so only a two-class downgrade, hah. Making it the third time in the last two months that they've downgraded me with no rate change and tried to upsell me to a Platinum upgrade I should already be eligible for...
Anyway at this stage, I might end up sticking with Hertz or just become reckless and try Avis...
IIRC, National has removed Aisle service and you have to go pick up from Enterprise now, so not sure how their Aisle availability is looking at the moment (guess I'll find out in a few weeks when trying to burn 1-2 Free coupons before June). And Sixt, while still the most competitive in terms of rates by far currently, seems to either be running out of premium cars, playing downgrade/upcharge games, or is just being incompetent (all of which I've experienced with them in the past anyway
). I had an XCAR reservation a few weeks ago (E-Class, 5-Series, S90) and they assigned me a Dodge Charger. Eventually I ended up with a CLA, so only a two-class downgrade, hah. Making it the third time in the last two months that they've downgraded me with no rate change and tried to upsell me to a Platinum upgrade I should already be eligible for...Anyway at this stage, I might end up sticking with Hertz or just become reckless and try Avis...
Jun 7, 2020, 9:26 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,686
The PC aisle was the emptiest I’ve ever seen it today. Fewer than ten available cars, mostly low spec crossovers, an Altima and an Impala. There were also two Mercedes A220s. We almost took a Mitsubishi Outlander, but the trim was so basic we went for the Mercedes (which had a much nicer spec and so far has Sirius).
The Premium Upgrade selection was full of cars normally in the PC aisle (300S, Cadillacs, mid range BMWs) so it looks like an unsurprising attempt to monetise rather than low inventory.
The Premium Upgrade selection was full of cars normally in the PC aisle (300S, Cadillacs, mid range BMWs) so it looks like an unsurprising attempt to monetise rather than low inventory.
Jul 6, 2020, 11:27 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,686
SAN seems to be slowly getting back to normal, far fewer cars packed together in aisles and a lot more customers moving around the garage yesterday. The PC aisle was poor but not terrible, pick your color Impala, a few Chevrolet Colorado pick-ups and a few Kia SUVs. I almost took a Jeep Cherokee but it was filthy, so ended up taking a brand new GMC Acadia.
The garage was well stocked with decent cars, but all the vehicles you would normally find in PC were in the Premium Upgrade section or the Reserved section (Cadillac, Mercedes, Challenger, Mustang).
The garage was well stocked with decent cars, but all the vehicles you would normally find in PC were in the Premium Upgrade section or the Reserved section (Cadillac, Mercedes, Challenger, Mustang).