What's a "full size"? The Jetta is an SCAR (together with the Corolla). What did you think you would get/what category did you reserve?

I reserved this:

Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Impala, Nissan Altima, VW Passat or other
Sedan (FCAR)

Which was ~$100

Jetta, Corolla etc was ~$60 at the time of reservation, but I chose to pay more to get a more comfortable ride.

They tried to sell me an upgrade, but I declined. Then they gave me Jetta and told me it was full size, what I reserved.

When returning the car, a different agent agreed Jetta was a downgrade and gave me $10 off after much arguing.

If they did not have a full size, they should have told me so, and should have given an upgrade for free, or and adequate discount. Instead they lied, downgraded me without telling, and were going to charge the original rate.

OK, that makes more sense. Jetta is a class down and you should have never been forced to accept it as a full-size. Sounds like some coaching is in order for the SAN Sixt folks. And you should get some kind of compensation for his/her incompetence and your inconvenience.

The way rental companies classify vehicles defies logic. I work for an auto company (and am generally an auto enthusiast in case my prior posts here haven't carried that across adequately) but am baffled every time by the logic of the Ford Focus and Fiesta being classified by some companies (*cough* Hertz) as same category vehicle. Those, of course, are also the same fine folks who call Corollas and Civics "mid-size".

Thanks, btw - you just saved me about $100:). After reading your post and looking at cars @SAN, I played around with my own reservation and saw that SCAR prices dropped precipitously, to around $17 a day @LAX for next week. PCAR still the same, though. Re-booked, will hold out hope for the same upgrade I was promised originally. $87 for four days, all in, for a PCAR would be pretty sweet.

The person behind the counter is SIXT. If SiXT is having a bad day , then there goes your upgrade and perhaps you vacation or trip. SIXT in bad mood will LIE to your face and wont even upgrade you for being platinum member.

If SIXT is having a good day, then you are all good to go.

SIXT's whole reputation depends on just one person, who is behind the counter and dealing with you. Thats SIXT for you.

Does anyone happen to know what the Ford Explorer or equiv is at PHX?

With Sixt, you should always check the rates whether you are picking up in US or Germany. Two weeks prior to pickup, it starts dropping like a rock (depending on bookings vs. inventory). I check even on date of pickup.

I hadn't known that, but I will now definitely do so before my trip to France in May!

Sixt reply
 

Hi beachmiles,

If you can send me your reservation number in a private message, I'll see if there's anything we can do for you.

Thanks, Jess.

Thank you Jess. I have always had good experiences with Sixt.

Hi, can anyone tell me whether the concession recovery fee is automatically included in the price when renting from LAX?

The terms and conditions mention it but i can't see anything listed on the reservation called "concession recovery fee"

Thanks, Jason

Sounds like this is becoming a common problem at SAN -- the Jetta is most definitely SCAR and a Passat is an FCAR, at least according to Sixt's own website.

I had this exact same issue and circumstances at SAN and I involved management to get it fixed (I just posted my follow-up in the SAN thread). At the time, it sounded like a certain agent might be to blame, so maybe we were all unlucky with that agent -- but if not that, perhaps it's a wider training issue.

Here's some more info from the thread for SAN:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24006667-post10.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24115873-post12.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24172546-post18.html

FWIW, I'll try to bring this up with management the next time I pickup at SAN.

Also, a question for the SixtCustomerServices team:

Regarding requalification/continuation of Platinum benefits, the Sixt website does state the 10/20x rental rule to keep your upgrade, etc. benefits intact.

However, does Sixt allow any other (perhaps unpublished) criteria, such as by number of rental days or spend? I'm planning to book several 15-20 day rentals but this may not reach the 10-20x rental rule as a result (it will probably be 100-120 days all together).

I know Hertz, for example, will still give you PC besides the rentals/rental days requirement, if you have demonstrated spend (something like $10k, IIRC).

Sixt reply
 

Hi SpeedRicer,

Please can you send me a private message with your Sixt Platinum card number, and I'll have a look into this for you.

Thanks, Jess.

Hi, a question on Tolls in California. From the Sixt terms and conditions it states -

"If you elect not to purchase the Fastrak TX and you drive through a Toll Lane, you will pay us $10 plus the applicable toll fee for each time you drive through a Toll Lane during your rental."

I'm assuming if the tolls are paid via cash or credit card in advance that this wouldnt apply? i.e. Sixt would not be getting the bill.

Cheers

Since nobody has replied, you're correct. Six will only bill you if you do not pay the toll yourself. One caution, if your car has a remote device make sure it is not enabled because if it is you could get a dual billing.