It seems like I'm AlwaysLost...

Nugget · 11-08-2001, 01:52 PM

Sometimes I get the feeling that the car rental agencies try just a little bit too hard to pattern their loyalty programs after the successful airline programs that started the trend. The whole concept of getting a car "upgrade" that put me into a hulking behemoth like a Crown Victoria never has made much sense to me. I've always objected to the apparant belief that renters who selected standard or midsized cars were doing so simply due to economics and would naturally be driving a Town Car if only they could afford it.

Frankly, the last thing I want in an unfamiliar city is a car so large that I can't keep track of where the edges are.

A byproduct of this attitude with Hertz, of course, is the complete lack of NeverLost GPS systems in anything but the largest cars in their fleet. This has always been their policy in the past whenever I've raised the issue with the counter staff.

Tonight I booked a car for my time in D.C. (AUS-IAH-BWI-IAH-AUS) next week. Since it's possible that I'll be chauffering one or two of my cow-orkers for the hour drive from BWI to D.C. Metro I changed from the normal "2 DR SPORTY" I usually rent and opted instead for a "STANDARD MAZDA 626 OR SIMILAR" rental.

I was quite shocked and pleased to see my confirmation page on the web site include some text I've not seen before...

NEVERLOST NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

Wow. This is so encouraging! Of course my trip report will detail if I actually get the thing in my car, but hey, it's a great indicator that perhaps Hertz is realizing their previous misunderstanding.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugget on 2001-11-08 12:56 ]</font>

Nugget · 11-08-2001, 01:52 PM

Sometimes I get the feeling that the car rental agencies try just a little bit too hard to pattern their loyalty programs after the successful airline programs that started the trend. The whole concept of getting a car "upgrade" that put me into a hulking behemoth like a Crown Victoria never has made much sense to me. I've always objected to the apparant belief that renters who selected standard or midsized cars were doing so simply due to economics and would naturally be driving a Town Car if only they could afford it.

Frankly, the last thing I want in an unfamiliar city is a car so large that I can't keep track of where the edges are.

A byproduct of this attitude with Hertz, of course, is the complete lack of NeverLost GPS systems in anything but the largest cars in their fleet. This has always been their policy in the past whenever I've raised the issue with the counter staff.

Tonight I booked a car for my time in D.C. (AUS-IAH-BWI-IAH-AUS) next week. Since it's possible that I'll be chauffering one or two of my cow-orkers for the hour drive from BWI to D.C. Metro I changed from the normal "2 DR SPORTY" I usually rent and opted instead for a "STANDARD MAZDA 626 OR SIMILAR" rental.

I was quite shocked and pleased to see my confirmation page on the web site include some text I've not seen before...

NEVERLOST NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

Wow. This is so encouraging! Of course my trip report will detail if I actually get the thing in my car, but hey, it's a great indicator that perhaps Hertz is realizing their previous misunderstanding.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugget on 2001-11-08 12:56 ]</font>

tycoonjack · 11-08-2001, 04:28 PM

It seems to me that rental car companies should have two classes of upgrades, either sporty or luxury. And when you get bumped up, it would be into either of these two classes.

While the cars still are not true luxury or sports cars, it would be better if you could specify what you will most likely get upgraded to.

tycoonjack · 11-08-2001, 04:28 PM

It seems to me that rental car companies should have two classes of upgrades, either sporty or luxury. And when you get bumped up, it would be into either of these two classes.

While the cars still are not true luxury or sports cars, it would be better if you could specify what you will most likely get upgraded to.

dbaker · 11-08-2001, 04:30 PM

Are you claiming that our PT Cruisers weren't performance automobiles?

[img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

*ducks*

dbaker · 11-08-2001, 04:30 PM

Are you claiming that our PT Cruisers weren't performance automobiles?

[img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

*ducks*

tycoonjack · 11-08-2001, 04:31 PM

Well, mine, the limited edition, was. I don't know about yours.

tycoonjack · 11-08-2001, 04:31 PM

Well, mine, the limited edition, was. I don't know about yours.

dbaker · 11-08-2001, 04:37 PM

I always get the impression that the Hertz people are genuinely surprised when they see me, with my one briefcase, tell them that I'd still prefer the 2-door after they explain that the taurus that they've "upgraded" me to can, "fit 5 people and 8 full-size bags!"

It's humorous when two people have a complete failing when attempting to communicate and understand eachother.

dbaker · 11-08-2001, 04:37 PM

I always get the impression that the Hertz people are genuinely surprised when they see me, with my one briefcase, tell them that I'd still prefer the 2-door after they explain that the taurus that they've "upgraded" me to can, "fit 5 people and 8 full-size bags!"

It's humorous when two people have a complete failing when attempting to communicate and understand eachother.

monitor · 11-10-2001, 07:40 PM

Hey Nugget, I've got some (possibly) bad news for you. The rental car business at BWI has been so screwed up since 911 that when you get there and see what's going on, you'll be happy to get a car, any car.
I would like a report, because I have been avoiding going in to BWI for the past few weeks because of this, but I will be coming to DC from Southwest territory near the end of the month and fares to BWI are much lower than the two other airports.

monitor · 11-10-2001, 07:40 PM

Hey Nugget, I've got some (possibly) bad news for you. The rental car business at BWI has been so screwed up since 911 that when you get there and see what's going on, you'll be happy to get a car, any car.
I would like a report, because I have been avoiding going in to BWI for the past few weeks because of this, but I will be coming to DC from Southwest territory near the end of the month and fares to BWI are much lower than the two other airports.

Nugget · 11-10-2001, 10:20 PM

Well, that sure doesn't sound very encouraging. It's to be expected, I suppose, given the disruption to D.C. air travel since 11-Sep.

My trip is this Wed/Thu, and I will of course be posting the trip report here. Cross your fingers for me.

Nugget · 11-10-2001, 10:20 PM

Well, that sure doesn't sound very encouraging. It's to be expected, I suppose, given the disruption to D.C. air travel since 11-Sep.

My trip is this Wed/Thu, and I will of course be posting the trip report here. Cross your fingers for me.

tycoonjack · 11-11-2001, 04:47 PM

Just noticed an ad that Hertz now has S-type Jaguars. Now that sounds like a good upgrade.

tycoonjack · 11-11-2001, 04:47 PM

Just noticed an ad that Hertz now has S-type Jaguars. Now that sounds like a good upgrade.

Nugget · 11-13-2001, 11:03 AM

Swiggy and I rented a Jaguar from Hertz in SFO one week. It was pretty enjoyable, for a rental car. Certainly, not my style at all, but it sure beats being in Yet Another 626.

Tomorrow's the day for my BWI rental. I sure hope it's got the GPS unit.

Nugget · 11-13-2001, 11:03 AM

Swiggy and I rented a Jaguar from Hertz in SFO one week. It was pretty enjoyable, for a rental car. Certainly, not my style at all, but it sure beats being in Yet Another 626.

Tomorrow's the day for my BWI rental. I sure hope it's got the GPS unit.

Nugget · 11-28-2001, 11:43 AM

For what it's worth, the 626 did not have a NeverLost unit in it. The counter staff at BWI offered to put me in a Volvo that they thought might have NeverLost, but when I got to the car it didn't.

Nugget · 11-28-2001, 11:43 AM

For what it's worth, the 626 did not have a NeverLost unit in it. The counter staff at BWI offered to put me in a Volvo that they thought might have NeverLost, but when I got to the car it didn't.

11-08-2001, 01:52 PM	#1
Nugget Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS [Austin, TX, USA] Posts: 610	Sometimes I get the feeling that the car rental agencies try just a little bit too hard to pattern their loyalty programs after the successful airline programs that started the trend. The whole concept of getting a car "upgrade" that put me into a hulking behemoth like a Crown Victoria never has made much sense to me. I've always objected to the apparant belief that renters who selected standard or midsized cars were doing so simply due to economics and would naturally be driving a Town Car if only they could afford it. Frankly, the last thing I want in an unfamiliar city is a car so large that I can't keep track of where the edges are. A byproduct of this attitude with Hertz, of course, is the complete lack of NeverLost GPS systems in anything but the largest cars in their fleet. This has always been their policy in the past whenever I've raised the issue with the counter staff. Tonight I booked a car for my time in D.C. (AUS-IAH-BWI-IAH-AUS) next week. Since it's possible that I'll be chauffering one or two of my cow-orkers for the hour drive from BWI to D.C. Metro I changed from the normal "2 DR SPORTY" I usually rent and opted instead for a "STANDARD MAZDA 626 OR SIMILAR" rental. I was quite shocked and pleased to see my confirmation page on the web site include some text I've not seen before... NEVERLOST NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED Wow. This is so encouraging! Of course my trip report will detail if I actually get the thing in my car, but hey, it's a great indicator that perhaps Hertz is realizing their previous misunderstanding. <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugget on 2001-11-08 12:56 ]</font> __________________

11-08-2001, 01:52 PM	#2
Nugget Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS [Austin, TX, USA] Posts: 610	Sometimes I get the feeling that the car rental agencies try just a little bit too hard to pattern their loyalty programs after the successful airline programs that started the trend. The whole concept of getting a car "upgrade" that put me into a hulking behemoth like a Crown Victoria never has made much sense to me. I've always objected to the apparant belief that renters who selected standard or midsized cars were doing so simply due to economics and would naturally be driving a Town Car if only they could afford it. Frankly, the last thing I want in an unfamiliar city is a car so large that I can't keep track of where the edges are. A byproduct of this attitude with Hertz, of course, is the complete lack of NeverLost GPS systems in anything but the largest cars in their fleet. This has always been their policy in the past whenever I've raised the issue with the counter staff. Tonight I booked a car for my time in D.C. (AUS-IAH-BWI-IAH-AUS) next week. Since it's possible that I'll be chauffering one or two of my cow-orkers for the hour drive from BWI to D.C. Metro I changed from the normal "2 DR SPORTY" I usually rent and opted instead for a "STANDARD MAZDA 626 OR SIMILAR" rental. I was quite shocked and pleased to see my confirmation page on the web site include some text I've not seen before... NEVERLOST NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED Wow. This is so encouraging! Of course my trip report will detail if I actually get the thing in my car, but hey, it's a great indicator that perhaps Hertz is realizing their previous misunderstanding. <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugget on 2001-11-08 12:56 ]</font> __________________

11-28-2001, 11:43 AM	#19
Nugget Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS [Austin, TX, USA] Posts: 610	For what it's worth, the 626 did not have a NeverLost unit in it. The counter staff at BWI offered to put me in a Volvo that they thought might have NeverLost, but when I got to the car it didn't. __________________

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11-08-2001, 04:28 PM	#3
tycoonjack Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS Posts: 690	It seems to me that rental car companies should have two classes of upgrades, either sporty or luxury. And when you get bumped up, it would be into either of these two classes. While the cars still are not true luxury or sports cars, it would be better if you could specify what you will most likely get upgraded to.

11-08-2001, 04:30 PM	#5
dbaker Senior Member ITYT Captain Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IAH/HOU Posts: 2,354	Are you claiming that our PT Cruisers weren't performance automobiles? [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] ducks

11-08-2001, 04:31 PM	#7
tycoonjack Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS Posts: 690	Well, mine, the limited edition, was. I don't know about yours.

11-08-2001, 04:37 PM	#9
dbaker Senior Member ITYT Captain Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IAH/HOU Posts: 2,354	I always get the impression that the Hertz people are genuinely surprised when they see me, with my one briefcase, tell them that I'd still prefer the 2-door after they explain that the taurus that they've "upgraded" me to can, "fit 5 people and 8 full-size bags!" It's humorous when two people have a complete failing when attempting to communicate and understand eachother.

11-10-2001, 07:40 PM	#11
monitor Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: EWR Posts: 7	Hey Nugget, I've got some (possibly) bad news for you. The rental car business at BWI has been so screwed up since 911 that when you get there and see what's going on, you'll be happy to get a car, any car. I would like a report, because I have been avoiding going in to BWI for the past few weeks because of this, but I will be coming to DC from Southwest territory near the end of the month and fares to BWI are much lower than the two other airports.

11-10-2001, 10:20 PM	#13
Nugget Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS [Austin, TX, USA] Posts: 610	Well, that sure doesn't sound very encouraging. It's to be expected, I suppose, given the disruption to D.C. air travel since 11-Sep. My trip is this Wed/Thu, and I will of course be posting the trip report here. Cross your fingers for me.

11-11-2001, 04:47 PM	#15
tycoonjack Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS Posts: 690	Just noticed an ad that Hertz now has S-type Jaguars. Now that sounds like a good upgrade.

11-13-2001, 11:03 AM	#17
Nugget Senior Member ITYT Navigator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: AUS [Austin, TX, USA] Posts: 610	Swiggy and I rented a Jaguar from Hertz in SFO one week. It was pretty enjoyable, for a rental car. Certainly, not my style at all, but it sure beats being in Yet Another 626. Tomorrow's the day for my BWI rental. I sure hope it's got the GPS unit.