Premium Reserved, Can I "self downgrade"?
Aug 3, 2010, 4:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
Premium Reserved, Can I "self downgrade"?
I have used a couple of free days to reserve a preimum vehicle in a few weeks. But I don't want to drive the Grand Marquis I recently saw on the "Premium" Aisle (I was thinking it more more like the Buick or something, not the "boat" 
)
So if I get there and the Marquis is the only option, I was planning to "downgrade" to full size. Anyone see an issue.
I am ES so I could just go to that aisle, but I need a decent size car to haul my family around in.....
) So if I get there and the Marquis is the only option, I was planning to "downgrade" to full size. Anyone see an issue.
I am ES so I could just go to that aisle, but I need a decent size car to haul my family around in.....
Aug 3, 2010, 5:10 pm
#2
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
I've done this before a few times. Only time that required even some explanation was at LAX when I took a Lincoln MKS off ES, the checkout guy gave me a hard time saying it was a luxury - to which I replied yes but it was parked in ES - a call to the manager and I was all set to go.
Aug 3, 2010, 7:26 pm
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2001
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I have self-downgraded enough times that I wonder if a Premium reservation is the right way to go at locations with ES - but I will not take a Grand Marquis or 300 Touring as a premium. Without rebooking the reservation one gets a full size (ES) car at the full size rate.
Aug 4, 2010, 6:57 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
I have self-downgraded enough times that I wonder if a Premium reservation is the right way to go at locations with ES - but I will not take a Grand Marquis or 300 Touring as a premium. Without rebooking the reservation one gets a full size (ES) car at the full size rate.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:20 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
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Ron.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:27 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Sorry for the dumb question, but out of interest, what's so bad about the Grand Marquis? It's a little unwieldy and under-accessorized, but otherwise I found it to be a pretty comfortable car.
Just wondering!
Cheers,
Paul.
Just wondering!
Cheers,
Paul.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:29 am
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,438
Aug 4, 2010, 10:33 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Amex Platinum; Southwest A-list; BW Diamond; Hilton Gold; CO Silver; Hertz President's circle
Posts: 405
TOO BIG! Also I think you have to be over 60 to legally drive one
Hehe. There is certainly no doubt that it is an old man's car!
Thanks for the clarification, and the 'too big' part was what I suspected.
Cheers,
Paul.
Hehe. There is certainly no doubt that it is an old man's car!
Thanks for the clarification, and the 'too big' part was what I suspected.
Cheers,
Paul.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:49 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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The Grand Marquis is a wonderful ride for 4-5 guys on a golf trip with a trunk full of clubs. Other'n that, I'm not a fan of them.
I don't mind the loaded 300's I sometimes see on the ES, but I still find 'em a big too unwieldy. My own car is a Civic...I guess I'm just used to smaller cars.
I've self-downgraded before on several occasions. Luxury to Premium and Luxury to ES. Also, on Alamo bookings, I'll usually be in a full-size reservation but if I see a midsize with XM I'll take that instead.
I don't mind the loaded 300's I sometimes see on the ES, but I still find 'em a big too unwieldy. My own car is a Civic...I guess I'm just used to smaller cars.
I've self-downgraded before on several occasions. Luxury to Premium and Luxury to ES. Also, on Alamo bookings, I'll usually be in a full-size reservation but if I see a midsize with XM I'll take that instead.
Aug 4, 2010, 10:54 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
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Posts: 1,924
Once I asked about upgrading to a Santa Fe at YVR since it had XM and Bluetooth, and they would only give it to me for the going rate, esentially changing my booking. When I told them I was willing to pay $10-15 more like a traditionally upgrade, they still said no, full price only. So I left the counter and went and sat in the Santa Fe as I cancelled my original booking and booked an SUV using a Free Day.
Aug 4, 2010, 11:24 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I really dislike SUVs. (SORRY) So I booked the "hightest" I would actuallly want to drive.
Aug 4, 2010, 1:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
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Though I've booked a luxury SUV a number of times, I've never driven one. The last 2x at LAS I switched out to a Mercedes and a Volvo C70 convertible.
Ron.
Aug 23, 2010, 7:44 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bavaria
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Aug 23, 2010, 10:11 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
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