Upgrade for Rental?

[jgates]

I joined Dollar's Fastlane and have coupon for Free One-Class Upgrade. So is my best bet to book the Compact instead of the Intermediate and then upgrade to the Intermediate with the coupon? It appears I would save about $80 off the base rate that way.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Read the coupon, carefully, it does state the upgrade will be given to you if available.
I threw mine away, but, what is the minimum class to rent? If it is compact and you want an intermediate, then that would be the way to go.

 

[jgates]

It is subject to availability of course. You have to rent from a Compact or an Intermediate level and then you are upgraded to the next level from their.

By booking the Compact (Neon) from 7/17 to 7/31 using the KISS3, we have $353.96 including taxes. As long as a vehicle is available then we could upgrade to the Stratus level. We may have to go back & pick up my aunt after a few days so if not available the first go-around, I could attempt to change when we got her.

Sounds like fastlane checkin is easier too from what I read. I tried my Emerald Club with a couple of codes, but the best I could get was $415.15 (but an assured Intermediate).

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You could make a reservation at both Dollar and National and watch the rates.

 

[CarolA]

Will you fit in the compact? If not, don't reserve it. You should reseve what you need. The upgrades are NOT guranteed. And if you won't fit, it could cost you LOTS to upgrade on the spot.

Also, don't count on being able to turn it in a few days later and get upgraded. The rental car companies tend to look down on this and are probably more likely NOT to upgrade you then. (I have had to turn cars in due to mechanical problems and a few times they have acted like I am trying to pull a scam to get a better car!)

 

[Lewisc]

Make sure you can fit your luggage in the size trunk you reserve.

 

[jgates]

We should be ok - this trip is just me and DD so the luggage doesn't even need to be in the trunk between airport & Royal Pacific and then between RP & Swan. I can toss it in the backseat. We will have a medium suitcase (with clothing) inside a bigger suitcase. This should help for packing of all the junk we end up buying!!!! (Or I may put a couple of priority mail boxes in and ship it home!).

We can live with the compact if we have to, but it would be nice to get the upgrade. We are going mid-July- not near the 4th.