Refusing an upgrade?
Apr 5, 2015 | 6:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: AA
Posts: 377
Refusing an upgrade?
I've found lots of discussions on how to get an upgrade. But is there a best approach to refusing one?
This weekend I reserved an intermediate (e.g. Corrola, Focus) from Enterprise. The only car they had available was a Jeep Compass. It was, for my trip, too big and had a crummy ride and lousy gas mileage. But it was a "free" upgrade because the suburban location didn't have any others available. It was only a short rental, so I took it.
But in the future, can I refuse it? Are the only options limited to their lot? Can I request one at the same price from e.g. their airport location? Can they get me one from a different agency, either National or another?
This weekend I reserved an intermediate (e.g. Corrola, Focus) from Enterprise. The only car they had available was a Jeep Compass. It was, for my trip, too big and had a crummy ride and lousy gas mileage. But it was a "free" upgrade because the suburban location didn't have any others available. It was only a short rental, so I took it.
But in the future, can I refuse it? Are the only options limited to their lot? Can I request one at the same price from e.g. their airport location? Can they get me one from a different agency, either National or another?
Apr 5, 2015 | 10:08 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chicago Illinois
Programs: 1MM UA
Posts: 1,753
I usually try to decline upgrades, and depending on inventory, sometimes they find a smaller car, and sometimes they don't. I get the feeling that at smaller lots, there are some cars they don't want to rent for whatever reason.
Anyway, there is never harm in asking. When they've given me a large car I don't want, I've *) refused it and gotten another one, *) waited, *) taken it and replaced it the next day after calling, *) put up with it.
Another option is to go to another agency, but that has cost implications.
Anyway, there is never harm in asking. When they've given me a large car I don't want, I've *) refused it and gotten another one, *) waited, *) taken it and replaced it the next day after calling, *) put up with it.
Another option is to go to another agency, but that has cost implications.