if you choose a grade up at the time of booking? I will not be booking through a travel agent so i will be booking online probably.
2007-08-15 00:40:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
It's not necessarily cheaper, although most of the tier-2 car companies will try to give you a "deal" on an upgrade at the counter. This is the classic "bait-and-switch" technique. They lure you in with a REALLY low rate and then tell you that your reserved car sucks and they want to give you a better one for just $99 more for the week.
I try to go with one of the tier-1 rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo/National, etc). They don't usually try to get you to upgrade (unless they're out of the car you want, then they try to get you to upgrade and if you say no, they give you the upgrade for free anyway).
I would avoid PAYLESS rental car in Orlando at all costs. Not only do they do the Bait-and-Switch routine, they also try to strong-arm you into taking the damage waiver by telling you that your insurance won't cover a rental (a blatant lie) and that your deductible will be twice as high. There isn't an ethical fiber in that company at all.
2007-08-15 00:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've ALWAYS booked the cheapest car available - without aircon. When I've arrived they always say that don't have the car (basicially I don't think they keep lower range models in stock) and I've had free upgrades. However, if you book the cheapest and arrive and are given the car, you can then pay to upgrade - you won't be any worse off than if you'd paid for the upgrade in the first place. That is of course if you're using a large hire firm.
2007-08-15 00:43:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
checkout the various travel portals. for exampe www.ebookers.de they sometimes offer a free upgrade. it is usually cheaper when booking and paying in advance.
if you book alamo for example, and depending on the time you arrive, you might be lucky and the categorie that you have chosen is not available. This will get you a free upgrade (economy cars are usually only available in small numbers). Was lucky with this several times.
2007-08-15 00:43:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of them con you into thinking you will be getting a really small car and then get you to "upgrade".
From our experience it's better to do it when you are there as a lot of the time they only ask you to upgrade as they have run out of economy cars. Ask to see what car you are getting and what the upgrade is and then negotiate like hell.
2007-08-15 00:44:18 · answer #4 · answered by leedsmikey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Budget for Orlando International airport - their desk is in the terminal and the cars are across the street - not too far to walk with all your cases. At Sanford Airport I would choose Hertz as most people on arriving flights will be using Dollar or Alamo. check out all the car hire comparison websites for prices
2016-05-18 02:45:51 · answer #5 · answered by elsa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always upgraded at the point of pick up much cheaper
2007-08-15 00:44:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
book the car you want and if they upgrade you free it is a bonus. when you get there they may not be the type of car you wanted to upgrade to then you are stuck
2007-08-15 00:54:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did this when I went to Orlando about 2yrs ago, it was cheaper to upgrade there.
2007-08-15 00:50:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋