Interesting that we're not the only ones to have the agents deny our ordered vehicle type is available, only to then find them in the garage. We've had this so many times now with both Avis and Dollar that my DD has a standing joke - sign for a car we didn't order, go to the garage, find the car we want, go back and change it at the desk (and no extra charge or fuss from the agents).

The worst example was arriving at LAX, where we'd booked a premium SUV through Avis (Preferred) and finding a Frontera equivalent in the bay. As soon as I complained in the office I was asked to go and take my pick of any SUV on the lot, including Expeditions and Suburbans.

It seems the (unwritten) rule is for agents to palm us off with whatever vehicles they have loads of in stock, but as soon as they are rumbled, they'll let us take anything we want instead.

For John Rooke, I've checked the rental agreement, but the original agent name is not recorded, so unfortunately you can't pass this incident on to Dollar.

VV