Originally posted by osv you are confusing features with upgrading, they are not the same thing at all.
when you rent a car, the only upgrade available is for a bigger car, they don't call a smaller vehicle that gives better gas mileage an "upgrade".
when you check into the airport terminal, and find out that all of the coach seats are full, the move to first class seating is considered an upgrade.
No confusion here. Just trying to distinguish form factor vs feature set. Change of form factor is not an upgrade, at least not
in and of itself. It may >include< upgraded features, but may also include downgraded features. To use your examples:
If I've rented a base model minivan because I need the passenger space, then being offered a luxury SUV is not an upgrade.
Minivan vs SUV, two different form factors and the 'upgraded' features of the SUV are irrelevant to me. (FWIW, I've run into
this exact scenario a few times....).
However, if I've rented a compact, 4 passenger car, and I'm offered a free 'upgrade' to a mid-size 4 passenger car, then yes,
I do consider that an upgrade. Same form factor, still meets my needs. (Curiously along your example, I did refuse such an
upgrade on my last trip expressly because of gas mileage. The upgraded car was superfluous and I had no need for that
extra luxury at the expense of an extra tank of gas over an 800 mile journey.)
Being switched to a new, cushier seat on the same plane to the same destination is indeed an upgrade. All base parameters
have remained the same, (the form factor, if you will), while a specific feature has been upgraded. If you get bumped to
a plane that takes off four hours later, I'd hesitate to call it an upgrade even with the upgraded seat, especially if you need to
be there four hours sooner.
Ultimately, the difference that we're arguing over is one of marketing vs actual need. Of course manufactures and retailers want
us to see bigger and newer as an 'upgrade'. That message is constantly blasted our way. Doesn't mean we have to
buy into it if it doesn't fit our needs.
Last edited by tvdtvdtvd; 03-22-2016 at 08:40 PM.