Death Hits the Jackpot - S11-E1
Trivia: The car Freddy is looking at is a Dino 308 GTS (made by Ferrari, but not officially a Ferrari), which was manufactured from 1977 to 1980. (The photo and the car in the dealership has the rear side window slats from the later 308GTSi.) Freddy is going to pay $175,000 for the car. That car, when new, cost slightly more than $30,000, and the most expensive 308 Dino ever sold went for $159,500. (The Magnum P.I. Dino was at auction, expecting to fetch $150,000 to $250,000).
Death Hits the Jackpot - S11-E1
Trivia: Freddy's fake watch is a "Le Sur 2600." It has a day window across the 12 position (like a Rolex Day-Date), but it does not display a day.
Answer: In the show, he was already a Lieutenant. A promotion would put him in the next rank up, which for the L.A.P.D. would be Captain. However, some of a Captain's duties would be overseeing other officers and ensuring they're compliant with policies, regulations, and standards. It would also most likely take him out of the field. This is something Columbo has no desire for as he rarely goes to police HQ's. Nor does he show interest in compliance and standards (for example, not going to his semi-annual evaluation at the firing range). However, he could still be assigned to a higher pay grade based on expertise, which is a form of promotion that does not include rank advancement. This would be going from Lieutenant I to Lieutenant II. I don't believe in the show it's ever started what his pay grade is. Although, in s02e01 (I believe) he mentions making $11K a year. Whether or not this was a true statement on his part, if you could find pay scale information for an LAPD Lieutenant in the 70's, it could give you an idea of his pay grade.
Bishop73