Upgrades Based On Your Profile?
 

I was just wondering what the process is for upgrades on a given reservation. Let's say I have a reservation for a midsize, but continuously get a full size, is there math behind that? How does that happen?

Would setting my profile up for a wagon give me a better chance of getting one on a midsize reservation?

A lot of time it depends on what they have around the lot, as well as your status (5 Star or President's Circle), how many rentals you have for the calendar year, and what kind of rate you are paying.

As a 5 Star, I normally received two to four class upgrades when renting below full-size at SEA. When travelling, I normally rent Premium so that is what I get. My HLE will give me a full-size or Premium on an Economy rental, but I have a great relationship with them.

If a location has an abundance of one type of car, they often assign them. I've rented Compact and received Mustangs or mid-size and received Tauruses with NL.

As President's Circle, I am guaranteed a one-class upgrade (maximum full-size to Premium) and so far, my first PC rental at SEA earned me a YG (Specialty Premium) on a full-size rental. I often rent for one or two days on a weekend, so usually that gets me something nicer since large airport locations have plenty of cars over the weekend.

I'm not sure there is a process, I'd say upgrades are more result of availability. With that said, I have seen a pattern develop with Hertz recently that seems positive as it relates to upgrades. I have been PC for the last several years. I used to book a midsize through my corp TA and usually ended up driving a Taurus. With the advent of Neverlost--I would book a midsize w/neverlost through my corp TA and end up with Taurus, Subaru, Explorer, Excursion w/Neverlost. In the last several months I have been booking the majority of my cars online. I book midsize w/neverlost and now I have been getting--Explorer's, Volvos's, G-35's, Town Cars, etc. I don't know if there is a greater power at work, but my midsize/neverlost reservations online seem to be working (knocking on wood)

I actually needed to rent a Neverlost car one week at IAD. I called up Hertz and I was told that they do not put Neverlost into Intermediate cars, I would have to rent a full to get neverlost. That being said, I've seen Intermediate cars with NeverLost. But I believe these cars are rare. So, when you book an Intermediate with NeverLost, they will mostlikely grab the first car they have available with neverlost.

My experience is that upgrades depend on the location. I'm PC. In Seattle, upgrades to luxury collection cards are extremely rare, but happen once in a blue moon. At Kansas City, they never happened. In Minneapolis, I've gotten Volvo S80's when reserving mid-size cars 75% of the time...Taurus's otherwise.

I've heard the same nonsense from IAD. That is the only location that I've been to with that restriction. I rented C class with NL in BOS all last year and received cars such as a Jag S Type, X type, Town Car, Expedition, Volvo and lots of GM's and Taurasi.

What do you all think would happen if I rented a Standard Car with the Never lost? Would I get the upgrade if I only have a #1 Gold Membership?

You'll probably get a Taurus with NL