That's completely the opposite of my experience in LAX and MIA. I've constantly had amazing cars there. I wonder why, hmm

Update on my LCAR rental: arrived a bit early (~30mins) and was informed I got a free upgrade to an XCAR, the hate-it-or-love-it XTS. Asked about alternatives (due to the negative experiences of others), was told all LCAR were away to the shop to be washed. If I wanted to wait 30 mins I could get one of those, asked what I might get, she said she really didn't have an idea what was out for a wash. So I said ok to the XTS. She sold me on a tank of gas, and roadside service (I know I know... But didn't properly inform myself about alternatives on tire/windshield/towing beforehand).

As we're being walked to the car we pass by some (I think) CTS'es, ask her if they are, she does this weird thing where she pretends she doesn't hear me, then after repeating the question goes on to tell me those are PCARs. At the time 24hrs of travel must have clouded my mind, because there's no logic in ATS being LCAR and CTS being PCAR. So, because no other XCARs were available I took the XTS.

In hindsight, I think the CTS being PCAR thing was a blatant lie. Shame I only really realised afterwards. Makes me wonder what else she lied about.

On the upside, the XTS has a lot of features and what better way to travel the USA than in an American luxury car. Though it does drive a bit lazily (and at 10600 miles is also no longer a new car) its slow transmission can at least be bypassed by putting it into manual.

A bit miffed about the lie, not sure whether to ask for a swap. Not that the XTS is not a nice car (IMHO, Euro cars I'm plenty used to, so don't appeal to me as much), I just have this feeling I could have had a nicer car.

Well car category wise it is certainly an upgrade, whether one likes the car or not is a personal preference. I for one would not have taken it as it is a crappy ride and a fuel guzzler, but that's an aside.

For the car category, the staffer may have been confused themselves. The CTS is usually offered as an LCAR, but so is the ATS though I agree it would fit better in PCAR.

As far as insurance goes, I was actually talking about roadside protection and passenger insurance as my rentals also always include LDW and LIS. The Roadside protection can come in handy, as tire damage isn't covered by LDW and given the rubbish (e.g. big shreds of truck tires) on US Highways it saved me almost 500$ in cost the last time when I had damage to some Pirelli 235/45 tire on a loaded Volvo S80 where just the tire was 330$ plus labor and all.

How's the new location? Is it still painful with queues for the shuttle bus etc?

Kinda disappointed about the geographic restrictions for Sixt in California!

It says in general, every mile driven outside California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah will cost you 50 cents.

Does anyone know how flexible they are with this, and what "in general" applies to, specifically?

XTS to A8L
 

Last Feb I was given the XTS (booked XFAR) and didn't argue because I was already 2 hours late. I was as disappointed as everyone else by the driving experience and the unusable media interface and called up the LA-area booking office who told me they had an A8 in the system.
Made my way back to LAX the next morning and was told there was nothing. When I highlighted plat status and raised my phone conversation and said I had spoken to [insert name here] about an A8 they said there was one but I would have to pay. They threw out $30/day for my 9 day rental which I thought was pretty reasonable.
I was more than happy with my shiny A8L!

I saw someone request pics, so I snapped a couple as I was dropping off. Used the cyber Monday deal, and received a LFAR for $13/day for 2 weeks. Ended up with a Q5 with 30k plus miles on it. Apparently that was my only choice, even though I could see an X3 and GLC parked in the garage. Employee tried to upgrade me to an X5 for "only" $30/day more, I declined and stated that is over 200% more than what I was paying per day. I'm trying not to complain too much at that price point, but it was a 2016 without a backup camera, aux input, or usb input. I found that fascinatingly weird. I listened to more radio in 2 weeks than I have in the past 2 years.

So, what I noticed. They have the new E-Klasse. Not many, but I saw at least 2. They still have the A6 and XTS. They have replaced the Cadillac SRX with the new XT5 SUV, which I think looks much more masculine than the SRX. THey had quite a few in stock compared to the X3 and GLC. When I was returning the car prior to my redeye, I noticed two were being rented out, both in silver.

Here are the few pics I snapped real quick:

https://s29.postimg.cc/n7e73bh2v/20161214_200732.jpg
https://s30.postimg.cc/pfyjclnk1/20161214_200734.jpg
https://s30.postimg.cc/t0uevts3l/20161214_200736.jpg

New and "old" E-Klasse available
https://s30.postimg.cc/utxbk5da9/20161214_200842.jpg

I have Platinum status with SIXT (via a status match), and haven't used them before...I'm an Exec Elite (top-tier) at National, so I've got some options for my upcoming Friday-Monday rental at LAX...

Hoping someone can help here with my decision...

PREMIUM CLASS
Mercedes-Benz GLC or similar
SUV | LFAR

PREMIUM CLASS
BMW 4 Series Convertible or similar
Convertibles | LTAR

I'd really like to book one of these 2 cars, but I'm curious if this is a bit of bait-and-switch? If I book the LTAR, is it likely I'd actually receive a 4-series convertible? Or are other cars in that class things like a Mustang convertible?

I normally just go with National and pick my favorite car on the lot, but these rates are enticing if their fleet truly is what they're indicating on the website.

Thanks in advance!

I'm in a similar situation and tried to check what Sixt actually advertises in various channels in the US to see if I could get an overview. For what it's worth here's what I found for the car groups around your two alternatives.

PTAR - Premium convertible - Audi A3, BMW 2-series
STAR - Sports convertible - Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro
LTAR - Luxury convertible - BMW 4-series, Audi A5
XTAR - Exclusive convertible - BMW 6-series, Mercedes E-class

PFAR - Premium SUV - Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC60, BMW X1, Audi Q3
LFAR - Luxury SUV - Mercedes GLC, Cadillac SRX, BMW X3, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5
XFAR - Exclusive SUV - Mercedes GLE, Mercedes GL-class, Land Rover LR4, Cadillac Escalade, BMW X5

This list is probably not complete and there's always a risk for the good old "bait and switch", but at least it could give you an indication on what you could expect and what cars that have been placed in other car groups.

Since Sixt segments their car categories so much, it is pretty hard for a bait-and-switch in my opinion.

LTAR - Luxury convertible - BMW 4-series, Audi A5 -- Probably will get either one since I have seen a good mix of both in the fleet up here in SJC.

LFAR - Luxury SUV - Mercedes GLC, Cadillac SRX, BMW X3, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5 -- I have only seen the GLC, XT5, and X3 at SJC.

Up here in the Bay Area, it seems like the fleet is now more Cadillac than German cars. Might be the same thing in LAX.

I would roll the dice and go for a LFAR, and hope to get upgraded as a plat into a XFAR.

XFAR not avaliable?
 

Hi!
When booking online (from Sweden) XFAR and FFAR is not reservable anymore. Not on the list of optitons at all at LAX.

Have an upcoming prepaid reservation made months ago for an XFAR and am a bit worried that I wont get an XFAR.

Does anyone have any info on that?

I just booked and prepaid XFAR (from the swedish site)
14 sept to oct 5.

So it is definately available :)

I just booked from Sweden through Sixt mobile app FFAR in LAX

Booked a STAR and I'm a Platinum member since last week. Any experiences on upgrades? I'm (not so secretely) hoping for an upgrade to a convertible Jag... one can hope :)

Booked a PCAR for Oct in LAX.


Hoping to get to drive the CLS or A3. Don't really want to get stuck in a Volvo or worst yet the Chrysler 300. chances i'll get either of my 1st 2 choices?


altho all of these are a nice upgrade from the standard Kia/Corollas we usually get.


anyone have experiences with other PCARs at LAX?