Persuading a car rental agency to give you an upgrade can be asdifficult as upgrading from economy to business class on a flight.With profits soaring at most rental agencies, managers aren’tgiving up any more than they have to.

“The big car rental companies are cutting costs in allareas–including promotions and giveaways,” says Darrin Deanyof Northbrook, Illinois-based corporate travel agency BTI AmericasInc.

That doesn’t mean you should expect to get stuck in thattiny box your travel agent booked. “There are still ways toget an upgrade,” says Lauren Garvey of Park Ridge, NewJersey-based Hertz.

Here are a few tips:

• By far the best way to earn an upgrade is to join a mileageprogram, either the rental company’s own (such asNational’s Emerald Club or Hertz’ Number One Club Gold) oran airline’s.

• Check newspapers or magazines for information about promotionalspecials. To grow overseas business, some companies offer deals oncar rentals in places such as Europe and Asia.

• For just a few extra dollars, car rental companies will oftenupgrade you to a “special” vehicle–a convertible inCalifornia or a four-wheel-drive vehicle in Colorado, for example.Sometimes, with a little coaxing, an agent will waive theadditional fee altogether.

Christopher Elliott is a writer in Los Angeles and acolumnist for “ABC News Online.”

Road Notes

• The Four Seasons Hotel New York offers a special”Executive Recharger” spa treatment for burned-outbusiness travelers. It includes soothing oil treatments, anhour-long aromatherapy massage, a facial, a manicure, a pedicureand a high-protein shake. Price: $275. For more information, call(212) 758-5700.

• Want to really impress a client? Shutters on the Beach in SantaMonica, California, offers a room deal called “Sky’s TheLimit,” featuring a full ocean-view room, chilled champagne,chocolate truffles–and a personalized banner towed by a plane.Rates start at $875 per night. Call (800) 334-9000 for moreinformation.

• On The Road, an Internet-based destination information servicefor business travelers, will now book reservations for clients atthe 500 restaurants it reviews for a fee of $50 dollars per year. A60-day trial membership is available. For more information, visithttp://www.go-on-the-road.com

Contact Sources

Auto Europe, http://www.autoeurope.com

BTI Americas Inc., (847) 480-8400, http://www.btiamericas.com

Hertz, (800) 654-3131, http://www.hertz.com

Shutters On The Beach, http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com

U.S. Department of Transportation, (202) 366-2220,http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer