Talking your way to a free upgrade - how did you do it?

[bazzanoid]

Hi all!

We're off in a few weeks and we've gained an extra person - currently I've got an intermediate car booked with dollar, but i'm concerned about fitting 4 adult's luggage for two weeks in the trunk.

So, I'm thinking of a bigger car, but i don't want to eat into my spending budget to go up a few classes (would LOVE a full-size SUV, settle for full-size car), seeing as the car is pre-paid through my TA. Naturally, as a result, the ever-generous staff member at the Dollar counter will want to charge me a silly rate to upgrade.

What lines have you used on the hire staff in the past in hope of a free upgrade, and more importantly, did it work?

I fully expect to have to shell out around another $200 to upgrade for the duration, but if i can get it reduced or free, so much the better! More money for Mickey!

Cheers,

Barry

 

[happymommy]

If you can pack more smaller bags, I wouldn't worry about the larger car. That is, unless you are also stopping for groceries. Once at WDW, you won't have the luggage with you daily. You'd be surprised how much we once loaded into a rental car for a 40 minute trip in Hawaii - luggage and people and one of my kids was on my lap in the backseat. Okay, not so safe, but it was for a quick trip. You can put luggage at your feet. It's not so comfortable, but if it's just to get to the resort, not such a big deal!

Also, sometimes when you pick up a car, they offer something larger for just a small extra fee - and you can negotiate that.

Or, sometimes if you book an intermediate, if they don't have that they have to give you something larger.

I'd personally stick with what I had reserved. Good luck!

 

[taimgxe]

Go onto Dollar's website and print out the rate of your intermediate car quote. If you have to get it from your TA, then tell them to pull it up. On the quote it will have an upgrade rate for the next two classes. If you are unable to get it changed beforehand, then take the print out with you and when you get to the counter and ask for an upgrade, you should know if they are "jacking" up the rate. Show them the upgrade online and see if they will match. Usually the upgrade rate is $5-10/day more.

 

[Kim1964]

Do you happen to belong to BJs Warehouse Club? If you do, there's a coupon on their website that you can print for a free one class upgrade with Dollar. If you have the coupon and your BJs card with you, and a car is available, they'll do the upgrade. We just did this earlier this month and it was nice...we went from a Stratus to a Taurus.