Consolidated "Renting at IAH; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Mar 3, 2017, 12:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
Consolidated "Renting at IAH; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Reserved a F (Full-Size) for pickup at IAH airport (Houston) as a 5-Star member on 2/27, was given a 2017 Buick Envision SUV (L) with 1,200 miles on it! ^
Not a bad mid-size suv but that 2.5L 4-cylinder struggles a bit, the turbo would be more fun.
Drove it about 300-miles in the 3-days I had it.
Not a bad mid-size suv but that 2.5L 4-cylinder struggles a bit, the turbo would be more fun.
Drove it about 300-miles in the 3-days I had it.
Mar 4, 2017, 8:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,696
Reserved a F (Full-Size) for pickup at IAH airport (Houston) as a 5-Star member on 2/27, was given a 2017 Buick Envision SUV (L) with 1,200 miles on it! ^
Not a bad mid-size suv but that 2.5L 4-cylinder struggles a bit, the turbo would be more fun. Drove it about 300-miles in the 3-days I had it.
Not a bad mid-size suv but that 2.5L 4-cylinder struggles a bit, the turbo would be more fun.
Drove it about 300-miles in the 3-days I had it.
Mar 6, 2017, 7:52 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
Apr 29, 2017, 2:03 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Hilton Diamond | IHG Platinum
Posts: 6
Hi all,
Just reserved a Luxury LCAR @ IAH. Curious to know what's the most common LCAR in hertz's fleet at the moment or at that particular location if anybody has been there recently. Thanks.
Just reserved a Luxury LCAR @ IAH. Curious to know what's the most common LCAR in hertz's fleet at the moment or at that particular location if anybody has been there recently. Thanks.
Aug 23, 2017, 3:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
Weekend IAH 1-day, what to expect (upgrade)?
I tried searching for the info, but couldn't find much...
I'll be prepaying a 1-day weekend rental, picking up in the AM.
I'm a PC member with the Amex Plat CDP, looking for a high performance and/or high class luxury sedan/coupé (ideally Mercedes AMG, BMW M, Audi RS, Porsche, Chevy Corvette, etc.)
Apart from booking the exact car (I don't want to pay that much), should I book Luxury (LCAR) or ante-up and book Fullsize Elite (GCAR), in the hope of getting a great upgrade?
Anyone have experience calling/emailing the manager on-duty and asking a day or 2 ahead of time?
Thanks !
I'll be prepaying a 1-day weekend rental, picking up in the AM.
I'm a PC member with the Amex Plat CDP, looking for a high performance and/or high class luxury sedan/coupé (ideally Mercedes AMG, BMW M, Audi RS, Porsche, Chevy Corvette, etc.)
Apart from booking the exact car (I don't want to pay that much), should I book Luxury (LCAR) or ante-up and book Fullsize Elite (GCAR), in the hope of getting a great upgrade?
Anyone have experience calling/emailing the manager on-duty and asking a day or 2 ahead of time?
Thanks !
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 23, 2017 at 6:40 pm Reason: Moved into existing thread
Aug 23, 2017, 4:07 pm
#6
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,657
All of the models you mentioned are from Hertz Collections. There is effectively zero chance you will get a free upgrade and will have to pay a significant per day upgrade fee if one of those is even available. It probably doesn't much matter what you book initially as I don't think that it's going to have a significant impact on what they quote as an upgrade fee to move to an entirely different class of vehicle. Probably just book whatever class:
a) Seems like the best value for the money
b) Whatever class you'd be happy with if no Collections vehicles are available.
You can try to call/email, but I'm guessing the local manager of a major airport localtion has more important things to worry about than trying to find you an upgrade for a 1-day rental. Yes, I know you are a PC member. So am I. And so are probably hundreds of other renters who will rent at IAH the day you are there.
All of that said, IAH is now a Hertz Ultimate Choice location. As a PC member, you can reserve an intermediate car or above and choose from anything in the PC section. While you will generally not find any BMW/Mercedes/Audis there, you may get lucky and find one in the Premium Upgrade Zone where you can upgrade for $25/day (plus taxes and fees) as a PC member. Keep in mind though that we're talking standard BMW/Mercedes/Audis not M/AMG/RS models. Those are almost certainly going to carry a heftier upgrade fee.
a) Seems like the best value for the money
b) Whatever class you'd be happy with if no Collections vehicles are available.
You can try to call/email, but I'm guessing the local manager of a major airport localtion has more important things to worry about than trying to find you an upgrade for a 1-day rental. Yes, I know you are a PC member. So am I. And so are probably hundreds of other renters who will rent at IAH the day you are there.
All of that said, IAH is now a Hertz Ultimate Choice location. As a PC member, you can reserve an intermediate car or above and choose from anything in the PC section. While you will generally not find any BMW/Mercedes/Audis there, you may get lucky and find one in the Premium Upgrade Zone where you can upgrade for $25/day (plus taxes and fees) as a PC member. Keep in mind though that we're talking standard BMW/Mercedes/Audis not M/AMG/RS models. Those are almost certainly going to carry a heftier upgrade fee.
Aug 23, 2017, 5:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
All of the models you mentioned are from Hertz Collections. There is effectively zero chance you will get a free upgrade and will have to pay a significant per day upgrade fee if one of those is even available. It probably doesn't much matter what you book initially as I don't think that it's going to have a significant impact on what they quote as an upgrade fee to move to an entirely different class of vehicle. Probably just book whatever class:
a) Seems like the best value for the money
b) Whatever class you'd be happy with if no Collections vehicles are available.
You can try to call/email, but I'm guessing the local manager of a major airport localtion has more important things to worry about than trying to find you an upgrade for a 1-day rental. Yes, I know you are a PC member. So am I. And so are probably hundreds of other renters who will rent at IAH the day you are there.
All of that said, IAH is now a Hertz Ultimate Choice location. As a PC member, you can reserve an intermediate car or above and choose from anything in the PC section. While you will generally not find any BMW/Mercedes/Audis there, you may get lucky and find one in the Premium Upgrade Zone where you can upgrade for $25/day (plus taxes and fees) as a PC member. Keep in mind though that we're talking standard BMW/Mercedes/Audis not M/AMG/RS models. Those are almost certainly going to carry a heftier upgrade fee.
a) Seems like the best value for the money
b) Whatever class you'd be happy with if no Collections vehicles are available.
You can try to call/email, but I'm guessing the local manager of a major airport localtion has more important things to worry about than trying to find you an upgrade for a 1-day rental. Yes, I know you are a PC member. So am I. And so are probably hundreds of other renters who will rent at IAH the day you are there.
All of that said, IAH is now a Hertz Ultimate Choice location. As a PC member, you can reserve an intermediate car or above and choose from anything in the PC section. While you will generally not find any BMW/Mercedes/Audis there, you may get lucky and find one in the Premium Upgrade Zone where you can upgrade for $25/day (plus taxes and fees) as a PC member. Keep in mind though that we're talking standard BMW/Mercedes/Audis not M/AMG/RS models. Those are almost certainly going to carry a heftier upgrade fee.
Aug 23, 2017, 6:21 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
The polite way to answer your question is to suggest you substantially reset your expectations.
As AutoSlash points out, you basically haven't a prayer.
If you want a high-end vehicle, pay for it.
You will not get a free or cheap upgrade.
You also seem to ask the same question over and over
... from 2014 ... and the answer from the Avis forum is always the same as here.
As AutoSlash points out, you basically haven't a prayer.
If you want a high-end vehicle, pay for it.
You will not get a free or cheap upgrade.
You also seem to ask the same question over and over
... from 2014 ... and the answer from the Avis forum is always the same as here.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 23, 2017 at 6:45 pm Reason: Removed link post-merge
Aug 23, 2017, 9:23 pm
#9
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,657
Sure, book something from the Prestige Collection and you *might* get to choose something else from the Prestige Collection (i.e. an Infiniti or a Cadillac instead of the Mercedes). The AMG/M/RS vehicles are in the Dream Cars collection, as in keep dreaming.
Aug 23, 2017, 11:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
The polite way to answer your question is to suggest you substantially reset your expectations.
As AutoSlash points out, you basically haven't a prayer.
If you want a high-end vehicle, pay for it.
You will not get a free or cheap upgrade.
You also seem to ask the same question over and over ... from 2014 ... and the answer from the Avis forum is always the same as here.
As AutoSlash points out, you basically haven't a prayer.
If you want a high-end vehicle, pay for it.
You will not get a free or cheap upgrade.
You also seem to ask the same question over and over
... from 2014 ... and the answer from the Avis forum is always the same as here.ALL without paying for an upgrade.
I have a higher status level at Hertz and a CDP that gives an additional upgrade (even though Hertz Collections aren't supposed to be included, that's very YMMV), hence the question.
Maybe your experiences haven't been as fruitful. Sometimes it pays to be nice and ask.
Aug 23, 2017, 11:54 pm
#11
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,657
The reason I ask is because local experiences sometimes trump broad generalizations. I'm only a Preferred Plus (/Avis First) member at Avis, but have been given BMW 3 series, 5 series, X3, X5, Audi A4, Q5, Mercedes C63 AMG, Range Rover, Chevy Camaro SS, etc. on Fullsize reservations.
ALL without paying for an upgrade.
I have a higher status level at Hertz and a CDP that gives an additional upgrade (even though Hertz Collections aren't supposed to be included, that's very YMMV), hence the question.
Maybe your experiences haven't been as fruitful. Sometimes it pays to be nice and ask.
ALL without paying for an upgrade.
I have a higher status level at Hertz and a CDP that gives an additional upgrade (even though Hertz Collections aren't supposed to be included, that's very YMMV), hence the question.
Maybe your experiences haven't been as fruitful. Sometimes it pays to be nice and ask.
Sep 25, 2017, 9:43 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,279
Hi,
I was here last weekend, Saturday for a 1 day rent - PC area was great - lots of Infiniti's (including the Q60). I noticed some Chryslers 300's, Camry's, Sonata's and some others which I did not remember since I just went directly for the Q60
Not sure if this is normal here, but this has to be one of the best PC lots I've seen so far.
Cheers!
I was here last weekend, Saturday for a 1 day rent - PC area was great - lots of Infiniti's (including the Q60). I noticed some Chryslers 300's, Camry's, Sonata's and some others which I did not remember since I just went directly for the Q60
Not sure if this is normal here, but this has to be one of the best PC lots I've seen so far.
Cheers!
Dec 29, 2017, 12:38 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Hi,
I was here last weekend, Saturday for a 1 day rent - PC area was great - lots of Infiniti's (including the Q60). I noticed some Chryslers 300's, Camry's, Sonata's and some others which I did not remember since I just went directly for the Q60
Not sure if this is normal here, but this has to be one of the best PC lots I've seen so far.
Cheers!
I was here last weekend, Saturday for a 1 day rent - PC area was great - lots of Infiniti's (including the Q60). I noticed some Chryslers 300's, Camry's, Sonata's and some others which I did not remember since I just went directly for the Q60
Not sure if this is normal here, but this has to be one of the best PC lots I've seen so far.
Cheers!
