Ask the Car People.SM


Rental Car Experiences?

855 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 4:42 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Automotive News

Messages Page 62 of 86

#609 of 855 Re: upgrades [fintail] by jpp5862

Feb 18, 2013 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 18, 2013 4:03 pm)
Free is definitely worth it, but since the overall trip is cheap I wouldn't mind splurging if it meant something like your deal in FLL last year. I consistently rent from National and am part of the Executive Elite, which is nice and I definitely like being able to choose the car but it is rare you get a "premium" car even at their top loyalty tier. It's still a nice upgrade but you don't get any of the real fun stuff.
 
I rented from hertz from years but never really liked them. Even when I had status with them I was still relegated to a base corolla way too often and they considered a Taurus wagon a nice upgrade. So while National may not put premium cars in the emerald lane at least I can choose if I want a Prius, a Legacy, an Avalon or an Escape. I even got a Chevy Silverado a couple of weeks ago. It was absolutely horrible, but at least it was fun getting to pick.

#610 of 855 Re: upgrades [jpp5862] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Feb 18, 2013 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: jpp5862 (Feb 18, 2013 7:21 pm)
My sister just got a fly/drive reserved for April back to England. The rental will be through Hertz, which she's not happy about after a lousy experience with them a few years ago. But the price was okay.
 
She was excited about the car though - said even though she went cheap, they said she'd get a MINI. I popped her balloon when I told her they probably meant a subcompact.

#611 of 855 Re: upgrades [jpp5862] by fintail

Feb 19, 2013 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: jpp5862 (Feb 18, 2013 7:21 pm)
I have no status other than Sixt "gold", which is nothing. I don't travel enough. I remember I rented from Alamo in ATL, reserved premium, was offered an iffy looking Town Car or a Grand Marquis with the wipers parked up. I rejected, agent laughed and understood, said I could walk over to National and choose. They had no premiums, and the only luxury was an STS with no keys. I tried to get a loaded Grand Cherokee, but the agent said it would cost more, so I passed. I waited for cars to come in to the Emerald Aisle (this was around 0700 - had no competition) - almost chose a loaded Taurus Limited, but it smelled funny. Ended up with an immaculate Buick Regal, which was a nice drive, and was technically PCAR. No complaints.
 
I might take a week in California this year, where I will use my Hertz points - I think I can get up to "premium" with them, which is my usual category. Most of the time I have rented, Hertz prices are steep and the fleet is nothing special. The Avalon you mention should be "premium" too - I'd be happy to have one as a rental. Dull, but comfy for long drives.

#612 of 855 Re: upgrades [steve_] by fintail

Feb 19, 2013 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Feb 18, 2013 7:50 pm)
What category did she rent? Could end up with a Mini - it is not considered to be anything special there.
 
Reserve a "full size" category with Sixt in Germany, and chances are you will get a C or 3er - as they are ordinary cars there.

#613 of 855 Re: upgrades [steve_] by berri

Feb 19, 2013 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Feb 18, 2013 7:50 pm)
Does she drive stick? Otherwise, make sure she has "automatic" on her car reservation. Even then, they like to drop the line on tourists they finger as saps that they are out of automatics and it will be a several hour wait. However, if you're persistent and just hang politely in their face, an auto usually turns up in about 20 minutes. Some Brits like to think we're still their colony

#614 of 855 Re: upgrades [berri] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Feb 19, 2013 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: berri (Feb 19, 2013 1:24 pm)
Category Fin? Who knows (you'd have to know my sister to understand. )
 
However, ditziness aside, she can drive stick and has owned a few (MGB, some Honda). The last trip over she got an automatic though and did prefer it. Most of the times before that she's wound up with sticks.
 
(I use the term "drive" loosely).

#615 of 855 Re: upgrades [steve_] by fintail

Feb 20, 2013 (8:17 am)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Feb 19, 2013 1:43 pm)
You know, like "compact" or "intermediate". I don't think there is a "mini" category.
 
First time I rented a car in Germany, I reserved automatic, they tried to give me a stick. I was about to take it, but Stuttgart can be hilly, and I didn't want to deal with an unfamiliar car (it was a Citroen) on unfamiliar roads. So they gave me an E-class, which I gladly took.

#616 of 855 Re: upgrades [fintail] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Feb 20, 2013 (11:52 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 20, 2013 8:17 am)
Hertz UK lists a Mini category. A Kia Picanto or similar. No MINIs, naturally.
 
When she complains, I'll tell her it was designed by the same guy who did the Audi TT.
 
Good idea on the upgrade. Maybe I'll suggest that she wear a sling to the rental counter. Knowing my sister, she'd put it on her right arm though.

#617 of 855 Re: upgrades [steve_] by fintail

Feb 20, 2013 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Feb 20, 2013 11:52 am)
She's renting through Hertz? Booking the cheapest car in some countries might be an eye-opener - they get cheaper models than anything seen here.

#618 of 855 Re: upgrades [fintail] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Feb 20, 2013 (1:36 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 20, 2013 12:59 pm)
It's a fly/drive deal through a travel agent. The airline is United, which has a long association with Hertz.
 
Neither ourfit has ever especially impressed me, but she's a UAL retiree and really a brand snob, so I don't say much. (I did tell her about the sandwich I got on one UAL flight that already had a bite taken out of it. ).
 
Last time she did use some "cheapo" outfit and had a great experience with them. She's too impatient to take a chance on her pass privileges, and she's been stuck at Heathrow for a couple of days before trying to get home. So there's another $1,000 she's blowing; guess I should tell her for what'd she'd save flying standby, she could rent a high end Mercedes and just sleep in it if she gets bumped coming home.

Messages Page 62 of 86

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement