I have reserved an Audi TT from the Hertz 'Fun Collection' over the Easter long weekend next month from Marble Arch in London. According to the website "Hertz Fun Collection cars have guaranteed make and model reservation, so you know the car you book is the one you'll be driving away in".

I am pretty keen that when I arrive at the rental station next month, there will be a TT there waiting for me. Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, of what this guarantee means in reality? Also, any tips on making sure I get the car I booked?

Never booked on outside the US, but every time I've booked a guaranteed rental, I've remarkably received exactly what I've reserved.

This will probably work in the UK but there is fat chance of it working at TPA

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz...xperience.html

I had it happen one time to me a couple years ago at LAX, where we booked an Audi S4 cabriolet and they didn't have it when we arrived. They gave us a choice of Jaguar XK8, XJ8, Audi A8, Cadillac XLR instead for the same price, or a standard car for lower price.

Looking a their list of cars, I would agree that the TT is probably the most fun / best choice. Call the station a few hours before your arrival if it's important to you, but be prepared to get surly employees.

Aah yes, I remember that thread. Your case was a little bit different though. In your situation, you reserved a Premium SUV, defined as a Yukon XL or similar. Instead, they gave you a regular Expedition, which compares directly to the Yukon but not the Yukon XL. So it wasn't that they didn't honour a specific make/model reservation, it was that they downgraded you. Still a lousy play by Hertz and I'm in no way downplaying your experience. Just thought I'd clarify in case there's any confusion.

I have an Audi A6 booked at YVR for my birthday in June. It's my 25th so I figured it was only natural to celebrate the lifting of age bans by renting something sweet. Looking at their current fleet guide, the only other cars listed in their Prestige Collection are the Escalade, Navigator, and Volvo V70XC and S80. I might be okay with the S80, but the V70 isn't what I had in mind, I've driven the Navigator, and not particularly fond of getting a giant SUV in either case. So beyond that, it'd leave me at the mercy of their luxury class, which is likely a Lincoln Town Car.

I'm planning to phone a night or two before to confirm that the car will be there. If they comp me into anything else, I'll be heading for National's Luxury Aisle that morning to pick something I'll enjoy better.

So I just came down to visit some friends in the Sarasota area, and I flew into TPA, I never have liked hertz TPA. Even when my Mom or family member would rent from them it was always a hassle.

So I reserved a Ford Edge and got a really good rate. They were out... so I kindly asked if they had a Lincoln MKZ as it is the same thing only with a lincoln logo... This guy snorted and said no. So I knew my rate was really good so I asked what they had in a compact to standard size SUV, his response we have a Chevy impala on ur rez ticket. I chuckled and said, no seriously.. what SUVs do you have to offer me. He snorts again and says he will get the MIC, I chuckle and say whatever you need to do.

5 mins later an old, heavy set guy comes over and asks what is wrong w/ the impala. At this point I am beyond words and I whip out the rez agreement that I made online and pointed at my specified car. He says "Well, son... I only have a limited # of SUVs at this time" I am getting a little testy and say "Well, man... that not my problem. You know who is coming when and what they want..."

I finally said to mr manager to spout off what SUVs they had in stock and available, and he had like 6 different models.. so at the end of this I received a very nice (loaded) Ford explorer, 5k, FL plate, moonroof . I asked the manager why mister trainee couldn't give me the explorer or at least spout off some models of what they had.

I know this isn't a very relevant story, but this is... If I rent a Ford Edge from the fun collection, was I being too aggressive with the people at the desk for trying to give me an Impala?

* As a side note, I had to walk past the Impala in the space the guy tried to give me, and it was an all black, loaded SS. So... did I win or lose?

Now here's irony for you. Since making my original post, worried that I might not get the TT that I ordered, I have slipped a disc in my back. I'm now thinking that a TT is probably the last car I need with a bad back, and hoping that they don't have it and I can get them to give me an SUV instead.