Can I refuse a rental car upgrade?

[Finnishwife]

I am a small car type of girl. I rented an economy car for my upcoming trip at the end of the month. I'm worried that I might be “upgraded” when I get to the rental car counter to a larger car. Can I politely refuse an upgrade if they offer it?

 

[msmayor]

I guess it depends on what you mean by being offered an upgrade.

Many times, they will ask if you want to upgrade to a 'better' car as a way to get you to pay more. We always decline that.

But...sometimes you are just given an upgrade because they no longer have any more cars in the class you reserved. You pay the price you agreed to, but get a bigger car.

Can you refuse that? I suppose...but if they no longer have the size car you want you'll have to go someplace else to find one. They can't give you what they don't have.

 

[lila]

Yes, you sure can. I rent weekly for work and have many times turned down an upgrade. If you are flying into a place where you expect there to be limited availability (or even if not) just call and have them put a note on the reservation that you want that size only.

 

[DebbieB]

I have. I don't like SUV's but sometimes they assign me one even though I reserved intermediate (Avis). I politely requested a "regular car" and have almost always got it. One time I arrived late and that was all they had, so I had to take it.

 

[goofy4tink]

The first time I rented from Alamo, at the Dolphin, I had reserved a mid-size car. Just the three of us, so didn't need anything large. When we got to the counter, I was asked if I would like an upgrade. Having read many reports of others being 'offered' an upgrade and then being charged for it, I politely declined..told her that the mid-size was plenty big enough and I didn't feel the need to pay more for a larger car that we didn't need. "Oh no....you won't be paying more for it mam. We only have one midsize left and plenty of SUVs and minivans..people don't seem to like driving the larger cars. We would let you choose from those cars if you would take one and not the mid-size." Oh....no extra charge and I got a beautiful Rainier. Loved it. I normally drive SUVs and minivans so it wasn't an issue for me.

So go ahead, politely decline...especially if they are going to try and charge you extra.

 

[newcomer52]

One time I reserved a economy car and they were out when I got there. They wanted to upgrade me to a convertible. I did not want that, so they gave me I minivan. It was just like mine at home, so I was very happy!

 

[CarolA]

I have flat out refused the "mini van" option with National They used to put them on the EA a lot in MCO and have been known to walk over to the agent on duty and point out that EA was for business travelers and NO, I did NOT want a mini van LOL!

If they offer you the "pay" option, my advice is to say no. Generally they are getting low on your car types and often will give you the "upgrade" anyway (Talk about trying to rip you off LOL!)