Do we get "conned" by upgrades!

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm becoming somewhat jaded with so-called upgrades.

This week I was joyfully informed by Hertz that my booked "Premium Full Size Holden SV6 or similar" had been upgraded to a................

Nissan X-Trail :evil:

Is it just me or is a Nissan X-Trail a downgrade? Not only is it not even remotely similar to an SV6, but it's hardly top of it's range in even the SUV class (which I didn't bloody want). Territories, Klugers, Landcriusers, X3s, X5s would all (in my opinion) beat an X-Trail.

When I raised this with this Hertz guy, he looked shocked and stated "but it's new"......totally ignorant of the fact they are not even remotely similar vehicles.

I'm thinking of making a complaint to Hertz, but thought it wise to seek the advice of AFF forumsters first. Am I correct in expecting a vehicle similar to the the class booked (the vehicle was booked about two months prior with no change and no discounts), or am I simply being a DYKWIA?

To me, an upgrade would be a Lexus, Merc or even a 320i........but not an X-Trail. Otherwise deliver the class booked!

 

[ozmille]

Best "upgrade" they offered me was Avis in LAX, I booked a convertible Mustang and they tried to get me out the door with a Jeep... I said no and had to go back the next day to get my Mustang

 

[markis10]

Welcome to Hertz, I consider the Xtrail an upgrade on an I20, but street prices don't matter to car rental companies. Loving the Golf I have at present with 1 K on the clock, don't get that option with Hertz.

 

[anat0l]

When I used to use hire cars more often before, often I would've like to have had the choice to decline an upgrade. (Of course you have no choice - the vehicle which you reserved is now gone, so you're stuck with this bigger vehicle)

Can't imagine ever having to use those words when in air travel or hotel parlance...

 

[Jleno]

I'm with you on this one - an Xtrail is not an upgrade to a Mustang. From a price perspective maybe it is (if the Xtrail would have cost more to book than a Mustang), but generally people booking Mustangs aren't looking for Xtrails and vice versa. They basically screwed up their bookings and rather than apologise to you and offer you a discount or some other compensation, they (and pretty much most companies nowadays) try the trick of making you think you've instead won something (like an upgrade).

I would totally complain, except that probably just falls on deaf ears. Unless they actually had a Mustang or a "proper" better car, there's not much they can give you except some sort of compensation. So if they gave you the Xtrail and some credit or discount, then you might feel less aggrieved. But just giving you the Xtrail is not good enough, let alone try to pass it off as an 'upgrade'.

 

[muppet]

I'm becoming somewhat jaded with so-called upgrades.

This week I was joyfully informed by Hertz that my booked "Premium Full Size Holden SV6 or similar" had been upgraded to a................

Nissan X-Trail :evil:

Is it just me or is a Nissan X-Trail a downgrade? Not only is it not even remotely similar to an SV6, but it's hardly top of it's range in even the SUV class (which I didn't bloody want). Territories, Klugers, Landcriusers, X3s, X5s would all (in my opinion) beat an X-Trail.

When I raised this with this Hertz guy, he looked shocked and stated "but it's new"......totally ignorant of the fact they are not even remotely similar vehicles.

I'm thinking of making a complaint to Hertz, but thought it wise to seek the advice of AFF forumsters first. Am I correct in expecting a vehicle similar to the the class booked (the vehicle was booked about two months prior with no change and no discounts), or am I simply being a DYKWIA?

To me, an upgrade would be a Lexus, Merc or even a 320i........but not an X-Trail. Otherwise deliver the class booked!

Yeah I'm fed up too.
If I wanted an SUV I'd order one.

Melbourne and Sydney Airport are fairly reliable. Book an XR6 get the GE or Passat or something premium.

Everywhere else just thinks P class goes up to... whatever class SUVs are.

So you try booking an F car.... it goes up two rungs to an SUV.

It should just be a nicer version of the car you booked.

 

[docjames]

I would have asked for (read: insisted on) an alternative car on the site.

 

[JohnK]

I usually book the cheapest option and more often than not I receive the cheapest option or equivalent.

Occassionally I receive an upgrade but the upgrade is not that important to me and I do not get too attached to rental vehicles.

 

[simongr]

This is a bug bear of mine.

I booked a VW jetta or equivalent in t he UK and was upgraded to a Kia carnival :shock:

I booked a Audi A4 or equivalent and got a Volvo Estate :shock:. In that instance I refused until they gve me an A4...

 

[AdMEL]

I'm becoming somewhat jaded with so-called upgrades.

This week I was joyfully informed by Hertz that my booked "Premium Full Size Holden SV6 or similar" had been upgraded to a................

Nissan X-Trail :evil:

Is it just me or is a Nissan X-Trail a downgrade? Not only is it not even remotely similar to an SV6, but it's hardly top of it's range in even the SUV class (which I didn't bloody want). Territories, Klugers, Landcriusers, X3s, X5s would all (in my opinion) beat an X-Trail.

When I raised this with this Hertz guy, he looked shocked and stated "but it's new"......totally ignorant of the fact they are not even remotely similar vehicles.

I'm thinking of making a complaint to Hertz, but thought it wise to seek the advice of AFF forumsters first. Am I correct in expecting a vehicle similar to the the class booked (the vehicle was booked about two months prior with no change and no discounts), or am I simply being a DYKWIA?

To me, an upgrade would be a Lexus, Merc or even a 320i........but not an X-Trail. Otherwise deliver the class booked!

I'm with you .. X-trail is not an upgrade to an SV6!

I book an SV6 because I want to drive an SV6 or XR6! The reasons for this are they are powerful, well equipped, handle well and comfortable (I'm 6'9"/205cm). Hertz Melbourne downtown have tried to give me a Toyota Rav4 a couple of times, as they consider it an upgrade because it costs more to rent! Whenever I get a car I don't like, I tell them I can't drive it due to my height! Works every time! For the record, I also do not consider an Audi a1, A3 or A4 an upgrade from anSV6, despite what Europcar think!

A couple of other points ...

I read somewhere here or FT that Hertz are getting rid of SV6 and XR6, so this probably contributed to your upgrade! Where did you rent from? You should have stood your ground.

Finally, have you returned the car? Last time I returned a Hertz car (XR6), I received the usual Hertz survey email, but it was very specific about the car - make, model, km, did I like it, what make/model is my preference. Good way to give them feedback. I think I posted something about the survey on AFF at the time.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Welcome to Hertz, I consider the Xtrail an upgrade on an I20, but street prices don't matter to car rental companies. Loving the Golf I have at present with 1 K on the clock, don't get that option with Hertz.

Hey markis10, clear your mail box so I can PM you!

I also like the Golf, but have to also say I've had an X-Trail "upgrade" from a Passat with Europcar as well. Really, the last thing I want is an SUV unless I specifically ordered one and anything I want an SUV for is probably not permitted use anyway.

 

[eastwest101]

I also like the Golf, but have to also say I've had an X-Trail "upgrade" from a Passat with Europcar as well.

I agree - In no way is that an upgrade! Is there any reliable way that the frequent car renters here have been able to reliably get the car that they actually want?

 

[Poisson]

Agreed. Europcar in France just upgraded me from a Fiat 500 (I'd deliberately ordered the smallest car available due to my phobia of driving on skinny French roads and trying to park in their non-existent bays). So what did I get - a Renault Kangoo! Some upgrade

 

[markis10]

I think booking the lowest category car is akin to booking a run of house room, you get what no one else wants!

 

[austgap]

Firstly I am one of Harriato's counter staff, so let me try and give some insight into the whole upgrading policy to try and assist with future rentals.

In my opinion I don't think going from a Premium full size to a standard SUV (X-Trail/Rav4) is an upgrade. I do certainly know that had it been an upgrade to a full size SUV (Territory/Kluger) that is certainly an upgrade and something that has been used before.

At the end of the day. All you need to do is ask. I certainly know that most of the staff will happily try and accomodate you in something else, if you don't wish for an SUV. My feeling is there could have been a lack of the premium full size cars available and instead of waiting for one to get cleaned/washed and then dropped to the parking lot the CSR gave you an X-trail that was ready to go.

The simple difference is verbage - I would describe it as a convience upgrade "instead of waiting would you like a..." vs "you've been upgrade to"

Hope this helps somewhat

 

[austgap]

Also markis10 Hertz has new VW Golfs on fleet in all the major airports. They are in the same class as the Toyota Corolla.

 

[markis10]

Also markis10 Hertz has new VW Golfs on fleet in all the major airports. They are in the same class as the Toyota Corolla.

But not TSI comfortlines! Vrrooom.

 

[austgap]

But not TSI comfortlines! Vrrooom.

True, most are TSI trendlines. I do know a few TSI comfortlines got snuck into Sydney after driving one myself while on holiday!

 

[Hvr]

As noted by austgap, sometimes they may just want to get rid of a car they have there because your preference isn't ready.

When I was a Hertz gold I was often upgraded to large cars which didn't affect me because it suited me. However, once in DRW many years I specifically ordered a small/compact car and was offered an upgrade to a full size car which I didn't want because the underground car park at the HI makes a large car awkward. You'd have thought I was the biggest mongrel in the world with lots of huffing and puffing and whinging about the hassle of changing my booking sheet.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

You'd have thought I was the biggest mongrel in the world with lots of huffing and puffing and whinging about the hassle of changing my booking sheet.

Ha, ha.......the look on the face of the guy who "upgraded" me was priceless. Sheer astonishment and disbelief and all he could sputter was "but it's new"! I've got absolutely no doubt he did genuinely think he had given an upgrade.

The rental before in SYD though, saw me drive out in a very nice Mini Cooper S (black) instead of the base box auto (Yaris??) so it does sometimes work.