GoSox

We are renting a car in Milan and returning it to Florence. 4 adults. We want a large enough car so that we are all comfortable. I am currently holding a good reservation through Auto Europe. I also have free day coupons from Hertz but they are only good for mid size cars. They said the only way to upgrade to a larger car, which I can do depending on availability, is to do it at the counter. How likely would it be to get an upgrade?

J62

In my experience mid size car is large enough for 4 adults, 2 of whom have luggage. If you plan to travel with luggage for all 4 adults a mid-sized wagon is much better.

If any one of the 4 suitcases is larger than a carry-on you'd need to put some luggage in the passenger compartment.

You can always upgrade for a fee. I would not count on getting a free upgrade.

Dukey1

I can tell you from experience that the Hertz agency in Florence (the one located a couple blocks from the Santa Maria Novella rail station has a whole bunch of different-sized vehicles (we rented from them while in Tuscany this past August). That does not mean something big (as you are defining the term) won't already be reserved but if you are going to go that route (vs. AutoEurope and BTW which agency did you get with your AutoEurope rental or have you actually done that yet or did you GET Hertz?) I would try to get there as soon after the counter opens as possible (do not know what time you are arriving in town).

I was very pleased with my Hertz rental experience in Florence (I also like AutoEurope but in this case went directly with Hertz) and please do not let anyone tell you that driving IN Florence is impossible...depends on what part of the city you are driving in IMO).

J62

I rented from Hertz in Florence and got a ticket driving back to my hotel which was in the ZTL. Don't let anyone tell you driving in Florence is without risk.

GoSox

We will not be driving in Florence at all. We will pick up the car in Milan at the airport, spend three days in the Lakes and then drop it at Florence airport which is north of the city on our way to Florence. We will take a taxi into the city from the airport.

All four of us will have luggage so we are not going to fit well in a mid-size. Auto Europe has us with Europcar.

StCirq

Haven't rented from Hertz there before but in any city that big there is almost always a large fleet of cars and hence a good likelihood of an upgrade. I have been given upgrades without ever asking for one from AutoEurope on about 75% of cars I've rented in Europe, whether in a big city or small town, too. And as mentioned, the car you've reserved is likely big enough if your upgrade doesn't not come through.

nytraveler

You need to reserve the type of car you want. If you reserve mid size they will likely have it - and you'll have 4 people and luggage squashed together. If you want a larger car rent one (they typically have more smaller/mid cars and fewer large ones - unless you arrive early am - or are willing to wait around until a car you want comes in.)