HHR/Malibu Classification Change
Jun 14, 2011, 12:57 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
The Malibu has been a full for a while. I remember one of the ERAC employee posters rang the alarm on it and there was some discussion... Was a while ago though and with the Impala also a full it's easy to forget.
You scared the daylights out of me thinking it was now a PCAR or something!!
You scared the daylights out of me thinking it was now a PCAR or something!!
Jun 14, 2011, 4:00 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis CC, Continental Onepass
Posts: 451
The Malibu has been a full for a while. I remember one of the ERAC employee posters rang the alarm on it and there was some discussion... Was a while ago though and with the Impala also a full it's easy to forget.
You scared the daylights out of me thinking it was now a PCAR or something!!
You scared the daylights out of me thinking it was now a PCAR or something!!
Jun 14, 2011, 11:35 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Somewhere cold - preferably up a mountain
Programs: AC Subhuman (*A silver), NW Barely Alive
Posts: 842
I had to argue for 20 minutes (granted it was about 5 years ago) to get a true Full size when the agent tried to foist a Malibu on me. We had four adults with a ton of suitcases... "A Malibu is the same as an Impala". Yeah, nice try.
Jun 14, 2011, 4:05 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boston
Programs: Delta Diamond, Jet Blue Mosiac, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 148
Yeah this happens all the time in MKE. I always book a fullsize and show them the reservation that says Impala or similar. The ES always has Malibus and I kindly point out that I'd like a fullsize instead per my reservation. It takes a little strong arming but I always walk away with an Impala or an upgrade. Frustrating to have to go through this every time. I wish National would better manage the 'franchise locations'.
Jun 14, 2011, 6:02 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
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As for those who found their complaints on Malibu not being similar to Impala? I predict that National will take that argument away with MY2012 vehicles by designating a car other than Impala as the representative Full Size car. GM has announced some serious powertrain upgrades (and will surely raise the price, dropping its popularity in rental car fleets).
Jun 17, 2011, 10:53 am
#37
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Got a Malibu from Avis (from Avis fleet list a Malibu is regarded as Full size), and I was kind of not happy about but since the car was almost new then I didn't fight for it.
Jun 22, 2011, 9:35 am
#38
formerly memoses
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New York City
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Something or another, HH Blue :), National EE, Sixt Plat
Posts: 136
What Do We Reserve for Big Car?
I got in a mini-argument (friendly I suppose) with my local city location about this very detail 4 days ago! I remember sometime ago, maybe in late 2009, we all had discussion with Paminaz about the insanely annoying 300 PCAR class creep and came to understanding that the Malibu was classified as an SCAR, to which I bantered last weekend with the station manager that he was confused about this little car with big car dreams. Sure enough the key fob last weekend stated FCAR, and sure enough my new pickup today (a Malibu LT) also states FCAR.
So the new question National/Enterprise is this: If I need a big sedan, what do I order? PCAR can still net me a smaller car (Maxima or Kia), and Luxury car is not allowed by my travel policy nor personal wallet policy.
So the new question National/Enterprise is this: If I need a big sedan, what do I order? PCAR can still net me a smaller car (Maxima or Kia), and Luxury car is not allowed by my travel policy nor personal wallet policy.
Jun 22, 2011, 7:41 pm
#39
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There's no good solution for you. You can reserve Full Size and hope for an Impala or Charger. You can reserve Premium (typically my plan, but often a disappointment) hoping for a Chrysler 300 or Ford Taurus (I rather liked the Maximas). If it's about space, the manufacturers' solution is a minivan, 3-row crossover, or SUV. The U.S. market has been moving away from big sedans for 45 years.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Jun 23, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Jun 23, 2011, 3:52 pm
#40
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Posts: 10,855
Jun 23, 2011, 5:38 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
