Author Topic: Avis Presidents Club upgrades (Read 23020 times)

benchik · « **on:** July 12, 2012, 10:17:23 AM »

I'm a newly minted Avis Presidents Club member thanks to the UA Club card.

I'll need a large SUV or Van for a party of 8. With the double upgrade available, what option should I select to (probably) end up with a Suburban or Yukon?

This is for a 2 week rental in Aug. at PHX.

I guess I can also status match with Hertz or National, but the benefits seem to be better here.

Thanks,
Ben

shmiel · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:35:36 AM »

First of all, you should definitely do the status match to both Hertz and National, and make reservations with all 3 companies. I would say you have a very good chance between the 3 of getting something like that. As for what size car, I would say full size with avis and hertz and mid size for National, and try to negotiate at the counter if they don't wanna give you a free upgrade

benchik · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:42:46 AM »

So you're saying I should request a full size car and expect to upgrade to a large van?

shmiel · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:58:53 AM »

With National, u can reserve mid size and take any car in the exec and exec-elite lot which has good chance of having one of the big guys (IME). Avis pres entitles you to double upgrade, but many times you can do much better, so I don't think it's worth booking higher than full size (I say full and not lower bc usually there isn't a big price difference from compact up to full size, and I don't think they will let you get away with compact res and driving out with big SUV, though I'm sure that has happened).

benchik · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:17:50 PM »

Thanks!

anyone has any actual experience?

LAXtraveler · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:52:49 PM »

Just did a rental with National as an exec member. Reserved whatever lowest class is needed to be eligible for an upgrade (I think it said intermediate on my receipt, but mid size online) and chose anything on the lot. Ended up with a Santa Fe SUV - the last minivan had just gotten taken off the lot and the only Tahoe left was actually reserved in that category.

golan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:06:28 PM »

From a lot of past experience . Chances are very high with national to get big suv as stated earlier. Being that you can pick what you want from their many options. In addition the representatives at national are easy to deal with as a general rule.
When you rent from hertz or Avis you really are starting out on the left foot being that they assign you a car, and now you want to change it.

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:11:39 PM »

Hertz has a gold choice aisle as well.

Vans & SUV are often the least desirable cars on the lot b/c of gas costs.

bochur · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:17:17 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on July 12, 2012, 01:11:39 PM

Hertz has a gold choice aisle as well.

Vans & SUV are often the least desirable cars on the lot b/c of gas costs.

gold choice usually doesnt have more than a full size for a free upgrade

bochur · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:17:34 PM »

Quote from: LAXtraveler on July 12, 2012, 12:52:49 PM

Just did a rental with National as an exec member. Reserved whatever lowest class is needed to be eligible for an upgrade (I think it said intermediate on my receipt, but mid size online) and chose anything on the lot. Ended up with a Santa Fe SUV - the last minivan had just gotten taken off the lot and the only Tahoe left was actually reserved in that category.

which location?

jj1000 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:21:27 PM »

I reserved a compact and received a volvo s60 t5 from a local Avis, because of president...

bochur · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:22:45 PM »

nice!! which location?

LAXtraveler · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:24:40 PM »

Quote from: bochur on July 12, 2012, 01:17:34 PM

which location?

Kona

jj1000 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:24:53 PM »

Quote from: bochur on July 12, 2012, 01:22:45 PM

nice!! which location?

Brooklyn on Atlantic avenue.

WhyAich · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:26:32 PM »

Quote from: jj1000 on July 12, 2012, 01:24:53 PM

Brooklyn on Atlantic avenue.

Wow that's impressive for NY

bochur · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:40:49 PM »

+1
i only rented from there once reserved a full size and was offered a small suv, i asked for the taurus which is a premium and it was fully loaded and i got it. i only has avis preffered

ganizzy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:44:33 PM »

a bit off topic, but what do u do about the limit of united club card primary insurance only covering for 15 days if u want a rental for longer, then that?
do u have to reserve it for 2 weeks, then continue at same rate
or is there another way?

bochur · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:48:14 PM »

if the rental is more than 2 weeks it wont cover. either use amex ( i think they cover up to 1 month) or drop off and pick up again put the 2nd rental on another card

benchik · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2012, 12:31:57 AM »

Should I call ahead to make sure I get the vehicle I want? Or is the PC upgrade only on the spot. (My reservation would be worthless if I don't get something that can hold my family. 8+)

Bentzy

aussiebochur · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2012, 12:34:17 AM »

Quote from: jj1000 on July 12, 2012, 01:21:27 PM

I reserved a compact and received a volvo s60 t5 from a local Avis, because of president...

How did you find it? I find it a little small...