Once you move beyond the Economy cars, rental cars can get a bit expensive. Upgrading to a mid-size car or SUV, however, can make your travels more enjoyable, so you might want to try and get a free rental car upgrade. This might not be possible every time you travel, but it never hurts to try your luck. Rental car upgrades are up to the employees who are working at the time you visit their office, and sometimes they will be more than willing to give you an upgrade in order to keep your business.
Use the Same Company Every Time
Because the rental car industry is so competitive, using the same company every time will express your loyalty to whichever business you choose. Once you’ve used a company several times, they may feel that you “deserve” a free rental car upgrade for staying with them. If that isn’t the case, mention to them that another company is willing to offer you a better rate. Sometimes, this will give them the incentive they need to offer you a free upgrade. This particular tip works best for people who use rental car agencies at least twice each month.
Get to Know the Employees
When the staff members of the agency you use get to recognize your face, you’re more likely to stick out in their minds. Chat with the employees whenever you go to pick up or drop off a car. Learn their names, how many children they have and where they went to school. Make it impossible for them not to know who you are, and you might find yourself with a free rental car upgrade. You’ll find that if they have a shortage of economy cars, you’ll be the first name they call to switch.
Pick Up Early
The earlier you pick up your car, the better your chances of getting a free rental car upgrade. Most people turn in their cars before noon, but not before eight o’clock in the morning. If you’re the first one in the office, you’ll probably beat most of the returns from the day before. This means that they’re more likely to have a shortage of the smaller vehicles and may have to offer you an upgrade. Just don’t let them talk you into upgrading at cost; they might be trying hard to sell you because there aren’t any economy cars available.
Show an Interest
When you head out to the parking lot with one of the rental agency employees, admire one of their more expensive cars and express a desire to drive one of them some day. This puts the idea of a free rental car upgrade in the employee’s mind, and it might pay off. If you’ve been using their service on a regular basis and if you always make good on your bill, they might consider you a valuable customer.
Sign Up
Many rental agencies have frequent-rental programs just like airlines have frequent-flyer programs. In some cases, you’ll get a free rental car upgrade just for signing up, but you may have to bargain your way in. Agree to sign up, but insist that you be given an upgrade for your troubles. Remember that this won’t work but once, and it may not work at all. However, if they value your business, what have you got to lose?
Exchange Miles
Some rental agencies have partnerships with various airlines and credit card companies. If your frequent-flyer miles are redeemable at the rental agency, you can use them to get a free rental car upgrade. Remember that you’d probably get a better value if you used the miles for airline tickets, but if they’re about to expire or you don’t fly very often, this can be an economic use of your miles.
