Cars at Portland / PDX
Sep 17, 2012, 11:24 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
Arrived at PDX yesterday evening. The selections at ES/ER were pathetic. The only premium car available was a Taurus limited. 80% of the fleet is Malibu or Impala, with a few Optima, Sonata. I saw one Ford Edge and Jeep Patriot. A VW Passat stands out. The agent was helpful, he found a Chrysler 300C from Enterprise for me and I took it.
Sep 19, 2012, 9:04 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
Thanks for the update. I did saw a "VIP" section and I spotted a minivan and an Infiniti sedan in that section. Maybe that is reserved for "luxury"?
Sep 20, 2012, 10:37 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
I can't figure out what that section is for. I asked once if I booked luxury, would I get a car from there, and was told no, that section is reserved for frequent renters who are VIPs. With that having been said, I walked all around the lot and didn't see either a Premium or Luxury section, so I have no idea what you would get if you rented one of those levels.
Last edited by Buster; Sep 20, 2012 at 10:38 am Reason: incomplete thought!
Dec 30, 2012, 9:50 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
That's what it was like on 12/25 at 10pm. I turned to my husband and said, "what color Impala do you want?" There were only 5 cars in Exec - 4 Impalas and, as it turns out, one high mileage Camry, which is what we took.
Jan 25, 2013, 9:04 pm
#67
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: OAK
Programs: SWA Companion Pass, SWA A-list+, National Executive, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 146
Was directed to the Exec Asile last Sunday and picked up a new 2013 Ford Escape 4WD loaded, crappy gas mileage though. Still don't like SYNC, too complicated
Feb 3, 2013, 9:45 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
Friday afternoon - lots of Impalas, a few Kias & Camrys. One convertible Mustang, one Ford Escape. I picked up a new Prius with only 250 miles....not my cup of tea, but certainly better than the Impalas, and nice that it's new!
Feb 16, 2013, 8:34 am
#69
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
Decently well stocked aisle last night. Your usual Impalas, Camrys, Altimas, plus a few Kias. More unusual cars included a few Mustangs (these seem to be showing up more and more frequently), a Dodge Ram 1500, and a couple of minivans.
I grabbed a Maxima that I figured was pretty new because I could smell the new car smell coming off of it just standing next to it. I think it was a record for me for lowest mileage rental car - just 33 miles! The passenger front seat was still buckled to itself, and was in an awkward position, so I'm guessing no one had ever ridden in the passenger seat of this car, and the trunk mat is still sitting wrapped up in the trunk!
I grabbed a Maxima that I figured was pretty new because I could smell the new car smell coming off of it just standing next to it. I think it was a record for me for lowest mileage rental car - just 33 miles! The passenger front seat was still buckled to itself, and was in an awkward position, so I'm guessing no one had ever ridden in the passenger seat of this car, and the trunk mat is still sitting wrapped up in the trunk!
Mar 25, 2013, 4:04 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, UA MP, National EE, Marriott Gold, Avis First, WS Rewards
Posts: 231
3/25 @ ~8:30AM
VIP:
-Dart (OR)
-Traverse (OR)
-Transit Connect (OR)
-Impala (CA)
ES:
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
EA:
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Avenger
Imagine my excitement! Thankfully this was only a one day rental. I was ready to jump into my LT Impala when it dawned on me to check out the regular rows and to my surprise there was an Optima and a....Impala!! However I did notice a Routan in the minivan lane, so it was off to the soccer field!
VIP:
-Dart (OR)
-Traverse (OR)
-Transit Connect (OR)
-Impala (CA)
ES:
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
EA:
-Impala
-Impala
-Impala
-Avenger
Imagine my excitement! Thankfully this was only a one day rental. I was ready to jump into my LT Impala when it dawned on me to check out the regular rows and to my surprise there was an Optima and a....Impala!! However I did notice a Routan in the minivan lane, so it was off to the soccer field!
Last edited by Alaska737890; Mar 25, 2013 at 4:05 pm Reason: Missed VIP section by mistake
Mar 26, 2013, 10:59 am
#71
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,884
Does anyone know what it takes to get a car from the "VIP" aisle? PDX has no premium or luxury aisles, so is that what it is, or is it some sort of frequent renter thing?
Note: I just saw that I asked that question above. I guess I'm nothing if not consistent!
Note: I just saw that I asked that question above. I guess I'm nothing if not consistent!
Last edited by Buster; Mar 26, 2013 at 11:01 am Reason: Because I'm lame and keep asking the same question!
Mar 26, 2013, 11:14 am
#72
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
That's something you'll have to ask the lot attendants there. Usually, VIP means executive vip, a status not available to us mere mortals.
Mar 26, 2013, 7:14 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
At PDX last night about 7pm and the pickings were slim.
One Avalon that was scooped at fast...two gentleman sprinted to the thing.
One Sonata and a ton of Camry's and Impalas.
Only saw one SUV and it was some sort of Dodge. The Sonata was great with low miles but reeked of cigarette smoke so got a Camry (drive an Avalon for personal use so I am comfortable in it).
One Avalon that was scooped at fast...two gentleman sprinted to the thing.
One Sonata and a ton of Camry's and Impalas.
Only saw one SUV and it was some sort of Dodge. The Sonata was great with low miles but reeked of cigarette smoke so got a Camry (drive an Avalon for personal use so I am comfortable in it).
Apr 1, 2013, 5:40 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, UA MP, National EE, Marriott Gold, Avis First, WS Rewards
Posts: 231
4/1 massive turn-around!
VIP:
-LR2 (OR) (hmm was told this was SEA exclusive)
-Rogue (WA)
-C300 (OR) (6k)
ES:
-Flex (CA)
-Beetle (OR)
-Impala (CA)
-Taurus Limited (WA)
-Impala (WI)
-Malibu (OR)
-Charger (OR)
EA:
-Explorer Limited (OR)
-Impala (WA)
-Camry (OR)
-Sonata (OR)
I ended up inquiring about the LR2 (All I got to was "I see you have an LR2 out there...", but an a-hole shows up behind me and goes "I believe that would be mine." cuts me off in line, takes the keys (to the Benz) from another attendant just showing up and has the audacity to tell me that "VIP cars are for VIP, not rookie EA's. National is for big boys." he then storms off only to return with a DYKWIA? in the meantime, the other attendant explained to me that he booked an econo and if I wanted the Land Rover, we'll pull a lost key until he leaves. Finally he calls everybody at the booth f******* and stormed off to the LR2, only to find out that they gave him the key to a Spark in wash. They basically told him that if he was civilized they would upgrade him even though they didn't have to because he booked econo. I actually think LR2's are my favorite...
Also how stupid do you have to be not to notice that your holding a Mercedes or Chevy key when your heading to the car? Hope he enjoys his pink, yes pink Spark 1LT!
VIP:
-LR2 (OR) (hmm was told this was SEA exclusive)
-Rogue (WA)
-C300 (OR) (6k)
ES:
-Flex (CA)
-Beetle (OR)
-Impala (CA)
-Taurus Limited (WA)
-Impala (WI)
-Malibu (OR)
-Charger (OR)
EA:
-Explorer Limited (OR)
-Impala (WA)
-Camry (OR)
-Sonata (OR)
I ended up inquiring about the LR2 (All I got to was "I see you have an LR2 out there...", but an a-hole shows up behind me and goes "I believe that would be mine." cuts me off in line, takes the keys (to the Benz) from another attendant just showing up and has the audacity to tell me that "VIP cars are for VIP, not rookie EA's. National is for big boys." he then storms off only to return with a DYKWIA? in the meantime, the other attendant explained to me that he booked an econo and if I wanted the Land Rover, we'll pull a lost key until he leaves. Finally he calls everybody at the booth f******* and stormed off to the LR2, only to find out that they gave him the key to a Spark in wash. They basically told him that if he was civilized they would upgrade him even though they didn't have to because he booked econo. I actually think LR2's are my favorite...
Also how stupid do you have to be not to notice that your holding a Mercedes or Chevy key when your heading to the car? Hope he enjoys his pink, yes pink Spark 1LT!