Consolidated "Renting at BOS; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,352
Consolidated "Renting at BOS; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
In Boston this evening, the PC area had just F and D cars, plus a few of the nicer C class. I booked a Compact, so cannot really complain.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
#3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South West, UK
Programs: VFC, BAEC, ETIHAD, IHG,
Posts: 59
Consolidated "Renting at BOS; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Im about to book a standard car in Boston Logan, anyone know what type of car to expect ? I will be booking via Amex do hoping for an upgrade :-)
#4
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: Hertz Gold PC, AAdvantage Platinum, United Premier 1K, HHonors Gold
Posts: 76
BOS
Expect a Chevy Cruze for a standard car reservation. PC had a few minivans (T&Cs and Quests), several Nissan Pathfinders, and a Charger R/T Hemi with Michigan plates. Prestige Upgrades were Cadillac XT5s and an Infiniti Q50 sedan. Lots of full size suvs on the lot, and many Cadillac sedans in the return section.
BDL
Spotted a Tundra on the lot, and went to check it out, thinking it might've been an employee's truck. Nope- Hertz now has the 2017 Toyota Tundra SR5, extended cab, 5.7L V8, 4x4, 6.5' bed truck in the fleet. Equipped with the tow package and bedliner.
Expect a Chevy Cruze for a standard car reservation. PC had a few minivans (T&Cs and Quests), several Nissan Pathfinders, and a Charger R/T Hemi with Michigan plates. Prestige Upgrades were Cadillac XT5s and an Infiniti Q50 sedan. Lots of full size suvs on the lot, and many Cadillac sedans in the return section.
BDL
Spotted a Tundra on the lot, and went to check it out, thinking it might've been an employee's truck. Nope- Hertz now has the 2017 Toyota Tundra SR5, extended cab, 5.7L V8, 4x4, 6.5' bed truck in the fleet. Equipped with the tow package and bedliner.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
I am Platinum and have an upcoming reservation at BOS. Just got an email explaining the ultimate Choice program. Typically BOS has upgraded me to the best car on the lot - in fact for my last reservation I received the carfirmation over 24 hours in advance and they had a brand new QX80 waiting for me when I had reserved a basic SUV. They kept it out of service to assure it would be waiting for me!
So I am a little puzzled/stressed about this upcoming reservation. Their sample map doesnt even have a Platinum section. The email they just sent suggests platinums need to pay for upgrades I would typically get for free "Upgrades are available for just $35 more per day* (only $25 more per day* for President’s Circle and Platinum members). Simply select the vehicle you want to drive from the Premium Upgrade zone and go"
What if I have them deliver the car to the terminal - are they just grabbing something off the lot without pre-blocking a top vehicle fior me?
Any Platinums have any experience with Ultimate Choice?!
So I am a little puzzled/stressed about this upcoming reservation. Their sample map doesnt even have a Platinum section. The email they just sent suggests platinums need to pay for upgrades I would typically get for free "Upgrades are available for just $35 more per day* (only $25 more per day* for President’s Circle and Platinum members). Simply select the vehicle you want to drive from the Premium Upgrade zone and go"
What if I have them deliver the car to the terminal - are they just grabbing something off the lot without pre-blocking a top vehicle fior me?
Any Platinums have any experience with Ultimate Choice?!
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
I am Platinum and have an upcoming reservation at BOS. Just got an email explaining the ultimate Choice program. Typically BOS has upgraded me to the best car on the lot - in fact for my last reservation I received the carfirmation over 24 hours in advance and they had a brand new QX80 waiting for me when I had reserved a basic SUV. They kept it out of service to assure it would be waiting for me!
So I am a little puzzled/stressed about this upcoming reservation. Their sample map doesnt even have a Platinum section. The email they just sent suggests platinums need to pay for upgrades I would typically get for free "Upgrades are available for just $35 more per day* (only $25 more per day* for President’s Circle and Platinum members). Simply select the vehicle you want to drive from the Premium Upgrade zone and go"
What if I have them deliver the car to the terminal - are they just grabbing something off the lot without pre-blocking a top vehicle fior me?
Any Platinums have any experience with Ultimate Choice?!
So I am a little puzzled/stressed about this upcoming reservation. Their sample map doesnt even have a Platinum section. The email they just sent suggests platinums need to pay for upgrades I would typically get for free "Upgrades are available for just $35 more per day* (only $25 more per day* for President’s Circle and Platinum members). Simply select the vehicle you want to drive from the Premium Upgrade zone and go"
What if I have them deliver the car to the terminal - are they just grabbing something off the lot without pre-blocking a top vehicle fior me?
Any Platinums have any experience with Ultimate Choice?!
To answer my own question - I just got the Carfirmation email - about 20 hours in advance of my scheduled pickup - and they have already assigned a Cadillac CTS (maybe I will be surprised with a CTS-V although I know those are not part of the BOS fleet). So it seems like even with the "ultimate choice" they are continuing their practice of preblocking desirable cars for Platinum customers.
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
I've got the same question, this time booking in BOS... Anyone know whether I'm more likely to get the Infiniti or the Land Rover? Also, any idea whether an upsell to a larger luxury SUV might be possible? I realise the latter question may be a bit OT...
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
To close the loop for posterity, I ended up with a 2017 QX60 with around 1900 miles on it. Not AWD from what I can tell, unfortunately. There was a QX80 available, though I didn't ask what the cost difference would be as I'm uninterested in paying more.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,135
I know it's far out but booked a Q4 to pick up Labor Day. Any idea what a Gold member might expect will be picked out for them? I assume it's separate from Ultimate Choice since it's not a sedan but we could pick a SUV from there if we found one we liked better?
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
Any recent reports for the PC area in Boston? Headed there tomorrow and wondering if I should book with Hertz or Enterprise...
#12
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,135
Picked up the day after Labor Day, which ended up being the equivalent of a Monday morning. A handful of vehicles in the 5* area, half of them minivans. The small SUV I requested was not waiting upon arrival - they had to pull a Kia Sportage from the returns area, and it had a stained rear seat. Ended up taking a Chrysler T&C from the 5* area - had satellite radio and rear seat DVD player, but car had clear electrical issues and no iPod capability.
PC area looked like it had some Mercedes & Infiniti models - don't remember what else they had, but inventory looked good.
PC area looked like it had some Mercedes & Infiniti models - don't remember what else they had, but inventory looked good.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
Monday around 7pm the PC area was mostly empty.
When I first got there, PC had a few minivans, a few SUVs (medium/large size), and one Toyota Camry. Five Star and Gold were a little better stocked, but mainly intermediates and maybe an occasional full size. The upgrade area had a few Merc's (didn't look close enough to see what models).
I lingered for a few minutes, and they drove a few more minivans and SUVs, into PC and then finally an Infiniti Q50 which I grabbed. Definitely worth the ~5 minutes I spent waiting...
When I first got there, PC had a few minivans, a few SUVs (medium/large size), and one Toyota Camry. Five Star and Gold were a little better stocked, but mainly intermediates and maybe an occasional full size. The upgrade area had a few Merc's (didn't look close enough to see what models).
I lingered for a few minutes, and they drove a few more minivans and SUVs, into PC and then finally an Infiniti Q50 which I grabbed. Definitely worth the ~5 minutes I spent waiting...
#14
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ARN; SFO
Programs: Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum, Eurobonus Diamond
Posts: 134
Thursday 4pm
Lot was full with no empty spaces at all. PC area had:
1x Tahoe LT
4-5x Ford Expedition
3x Explorer
2x Pathfinder
Multiple 300s
1x QX60 (Which i took)
Multiple of the usual fullsize suspects
Lot was full with no empty spaces at all. PC area had:
1x Tahoe LT
4-5x Ford Expedition
3x Explorer
2x Pathfinder
Multiple 300s
1x QX60 (Which i took)
Multiple of the usual fullsize suspects
#15
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 22
Showed up at BOS in the evening, only to find the 5* section completely empty. PC had a lone Infiniti Q50 and Chrysler 300. Was about to snag the Q50 but then a Q70 with just under 20k miles pulled up, so I went for that.
BTW, I got PC through United, but it's been a few days and my account wasn't updated yet. The gate agent did inquire how I got that car as I was only 5* and asked if I wanted to pay to upgrade, but then she was able to make a call and let me through upon checking with the back office regarding the pending PC status. I obviously got pretty lucky, but definitely happy with Hertz/PC/UC thus far!
BTW, I got PC through United, but it's been a few days and my account wasn't updated yet. The gate agent did inquire how I got that car as I was only 5* and asked if I wanted to pay to upgrade, but then she was able to make a call and let me through upon checking with the back office regarding the pending PC status. I obviously got pretty lucky, but definitely happy with Hertz/PC/UC thus far!
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Dec 30, 2017 at 4:26 am Reason: Moved from PC Experiences thread; seems more topical here