
"At the car rental facility, I don’t actually ask for an upgrade," he says. Peter Hoagland, a marketing consultant and frequent car renter from Warrenton, Virginia, offers yet another obvious – but often overlooked – tip. Once we've established some rapport and go to the actual car, I throw in a line such as “So what upgrades can you offer?” or, “We are getting upgraded, right?” – and I make the assumption that we are." Want a car rental upgrade? Don't forget your manners I try to spark a connection and compliment the area or the agent. "Long before we get to the type of car, I have engaged them in a conversation about the area, about themselves. Webster, who writes a travel blog called Brit on the Move, says she tries to make friends with the reservation agents. MASK MANDATE OVERTURNED: Where travelers may still need face masks
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"In almost all cases, if an upgrade is available the rental company will give it to you." "All it costs is a little flattery and banter," says Nikki Webster, a frequent car renter. Yes, agents may try to sell you an upgrade (they get paid more when they do), but they can also give you the upgrade. They put you in it and you’re on your way – for free." Other secrets for getting a car rental upgradeĪnother thing car rental customers may not realize: The key to an upgrade is that person at the counter. It’s usually stuff they can’t easily rent out, like trucks, vans, sports cars. Their pay is based on getting those bad boys out. "Once you get to the lot, ask the attendant if they have any 'no-rev' vehicles. "Book the lowest class car you’re comfortable with, in case you have to take it," she says. TRY OUR TRAVEL NEWSLETTER: Get the latest headlines in your inbox dailyĬhloe Skupnick, a former car rental manager who lives in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, says booking the lowest-class can land you a better car. That means it has to start giving their customers the keys to more expensive vehicles. On a busy holiday weekend, it's possible for a rental location to run out of cars in a certain class. Last summer's car rental shortage made it even harder. Car rental companies have to manage vast fleets, and the ability to reserve and cancel a car without paying a penalty makes that difficult. First, it helps to understand what's happening behind the scenes. But you can improve your chances with a little insider advice. I hear from a lot of car rental customers who say the reserve-the-small-car trick still works. What are your rights? That car rental upgrade trick works, but … RENTAL CARS: Some Hertz customers face arrest. INVESTIGATION: If you’ve rented a car from Hertz, there could be a warrant out for your arrest

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Maybe a convertible for that long drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West? Or a comfy SUV for that California road trip? There are ways to get a free car rental upgrade, experts say.

With the busy summer vacation season just ahead, a lot of travelers are thinking about renting a nicer car. But if you insist on sticking with the matchbox car you reserved, they'll upgrade you into a bigger vehicle – at no extra cost. Burdiss says an agent will try to sell you an upgrade. The strategy is most effective for last-minute reservations at an airport location. "Rental car companies very rarely have these in stock unless you prebook one and they hold it for you." "Book the cheapest and smallest car," he says. That secret for getting a car rental upgrade has been around for almost as long as there have been car rental companies.Īnd it still works, says Marc Burdiss, an emergency management consultant from Dayton, Ohio. If you want a better rental car, start with the smallest vehicle. Watch Video: Tech for travel: Get help finding a rental car, campsite
