rental cars

[anysia]

hey guys, when it comes to rental car companies, do you think it is ok to insist on being able to pick a car within reason?

for example, shouldn't i atleast be able to state what class of car? or possibly that i want a foreign car if at all possible? (after the pontiac sunfire rental and the ford focus rental, i REALLY don't want to be stuck with another one of anything similar for any length of time!)

the rental car co i am dealing with is screwing up right and left..... i'm ready to call my insurance co and see if i can work with a different rental place.

[princess]

Usually when the insurance co. is paying they fo for the bottom class.... if you upgrade, you pay the difference. So be prepared for a tiny one!

I was shocked to discover what they considered "mid-size" on vacation. If you're dealing with one of the main companies, you can look it up online & check what they're options are.....

Sometimes you can get a free upgrade with cards from your credit cards or roadside service card...

:confused:

[anysia]

i have up to $30 a day coverage. the last time i needed a car it got me up to i think mid-size (which i think is described on the sight as grand-ams...) that time i opted for a corolla though. so far i haven't had to settle for the economy class. crossing my fingers that i don't get stuck there now. the description for them is chevy aveo or similar". yikes!!

the last time the husband had one, he had up to $25 a day from the insuracne of the person who hit him. the rental place wanted ot give him a jeep grand cherokee???? he waited a couple fo more hours and settled on another ford focus. (he was scared of driving something as big as the jeep.)

[Pairallel]

If you work with a small local office, many times they will give you whatever is on the lot for the same price, or they will give you a larger car that may not be as brand new as the smaller ones.

The trick is to make your reservation at $30 / day, then go in and smile, bat your eyelashes, play on their sympathy, etc. Tell them it might be an extended rental so they will make a nice return on their $30 / day, and you might just be OK.

I went from a Ford Escort to a Toyota Avalon just by asking when I got to the office - same price.

Worst case...you can offer them a couple dollars more per day. and you can both be happy.:cool:

[jbuffethed]

When my wife got rearended in my Altima , the person at faults insurance company got us a new Taurus from Budget. Those cars are crap.

[anysia]

keep your fingers crossed for me. 5pm today is the time i get to go work some magic to try to get a dcent car..... ;)

(don't get me wrong, i love that honda doesnt do rentals, but geez, when i need a rental, i wish they had one on the lot just for me!!! :blush: )