02-07-2017, 03:36 AM
We've done it successfully a few times over the years, but as others have noted, it doesn't always work out... when Baby Buzz was in utero we requested, and got, a white Mitsubishi Diamonte in AZ when they were new to the U.S. market (I also asked for tan interior, but we got gray; oh well, but in all fairness, the guy I spoke with said most of their white Diamonte's had gray interior). A couple of years ago we got the requested 4WD midsize SUV in Anchorage, and before that we got the requested 2WD SUV in Hartford, CT. We even got the requested Prius (but not one of our color choices) once in Oakland when Mrs. Buzz wanted to basically go for an extended test drive.
There have been a couple of horror stories, too, but tip would be to also try Alamo, National, and Enterprise, then possibly Budget or Dollar, depending on the area; Budget seems to do better near bigger metropolitan areas. Tip number two, make sure you state that it's an insurance related rental, because your car is gonna be in the shop at the time of camping trip, right?! Tip #3, call the actual location(s) you like to rent from, not the call center in gawd nose where... and check for club rates, be they wholesale (Costo, Sam's, etc.), affinity (Auto Club, AARP, etc.), and travel industry, including the rental agencies' programs. Those things help, and the more you can combine, often the more helpful they will be you to meet your goal... may not save you any more than whatever offer the best rate, but if they accommodate your request, it's a win. Good luck.
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There have been a couple of horror stories, too, but tip would be to also try Alamo, National, and Enterprise, then possibly Budget or Dollar, depending on the area; Budget seems to do better near bigger metropolitan areas. Tip number two, make sure you state that it's an insurance related rental, because your car is gonna be in the shop at the time of camping trip, right?! Tip #3, call the actual location(s) you like to rent from, not the call center in gawd nose where... and check for club rates, be they wholesale (Costo, Sam's, etc.), affinity (Auto Club, AARP, etc.), and travel industry, including the rental agencies' programs. Those things help, and the more you can combine, often the more helpful they will be you to meet your goal... may not save you any more than whatever offer the best rate, but if they accommodate your request, it's a win. Good luck.
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