Car renting tips?

89911 · 02-05-2005, 12:13 PM

Going on vacation Easter week and I am going to rent a car. I've done it many ways before, Priceline, Expedia, call direct (never do that!). It seems that once you get to a bottom dollar price for the car you want, it pretty is the same everywhere, including Priceline. Is it better to try later close to when you are leaving, especially with places like Priceline? It also cracks me up with the car description. A standard car is a Fort Mustang. Large car is a Taurus. Premium car is a Mercury Marquis? SUV is a Jeep Liiberty. Such crappy choices.

Joeaksa · 02-05-2005, 12:17 PM

Make sure your personal car insurance covers you in rental cars, then decline it on the rental car. Thats $15 a day savings.

Shop around the internet then check if AAA (if you are a member) gives a discount. Try everything as the discounts really add up.

Also try not to rent at an airport as they charge you "airport rental tax" and its hard to get around it.

Do you have a lot of miles or points with any of your credit cards? Lots of them let you trade in miles or points for vouchers to use with Hertz or Avis. I rent usually 1-3 rental cars a week when I am on the road traveling and use a Hertz voucher (supplied by my boss) on every one of them. Get the car for free...

JoeA

350HP930 · 02-05-2005, 03:05 PM

My favorite tip is to thrash the car.

Drove it like you stole it.

sjp_30188 · 02-05-2005, 04:41 PM

I always rent from Hertz. Ask for Neverlost always. a buddy of mine did that, they were out of Tauruses, so they gave him a Jag XK8 convertible for the price of the taurus!

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by sjp_30188
I always rent from Hertz. Ask for Neverlost always. a buddy of mine did that, they were out of Tauruses, so they gave him a Jag XK8 convertible for the price of the taurus!

What is "Neverlost"?

CarreraS2 · 02-05-2005, 05:04 PM

What's the going "best price" on a Taurus-type rental these days?

I'm gonna need one in a couple of weeks.

KevinP73 · 02-05-2005, 05:09 PM

Be sure to ask if the car is "monitored" with GPS , lojak or any other tracking system. Some places hit you with an "out of area" charge.

Joeaksa · 02-05-2005, 06:58 PM

Neverlost is the Magellan GPS navigation system. Not a bad system, I like the Garmin better but this one is good.

Rent one and play with it, its well worth the $8 extra charged a day.

My favorite tip is to thrash the car.

Felt that way when I was 18 as well. Now that I am an adult treat the cars with a bit more respect. Remember that you may be driving the car that the last guy "trashed" and need the brakes or other safety systems to save your life.

Joe A

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

I always book a medium level car, like a taurus, sometimes a little larger. Then, when I check in at the counter, I ask for an upgrade to a luxury car. I did this a few weeks ago, and got a Cadillac Deville for 10 bucks more a day. Well worth the extra few bucks. Tell them you'll upgrade for a minimal price, and usually the kid behind the counter will entertain you, especially if the car is just gonna sit anyway.

I find that the discounted rate at a counter is better than just about any other rate I can find. But, I do book the original reservation at a AAA rate. Just be very nice, start B.S.'ing with them, and hope they hook you up. The Cadillac is a very cushy, powerful and great way to go. By the way, you will ALWAYS get a better rate by booking directly with the website of the company, not through expedia or other travel related site.

Regards,

M.D. Holloway · 02-05-2005, 08:16 PM

I use Avis exclusively - they have an insurence deal worked out with my co - I have used all the others and declined the added insurance to save the $15/day - got some damage done once and it was a nightmare getting it taken care of. The added cost of insurance is a pain but I wish had it, would have actually cost me less in the long run.

stuartj · 02-06-2005, 04:10 PM

Here is a tip. A colleague of mine last week returned a car to an airport. It was late, the company declined an inspection because they had no one available to do it. My colleague dropped the keys and ran for his plane, as we have all very likely done.

Now he is being scammed for $500 worth of interior damage to the car. The company has deducted this from the credit card per the hire contract, so he has to fight for recovery of the money.

Ive heard of this scam before, never seen it actually happen. He will liekly win this, but its turning into a real hassle, and he has had to go legal to have a show.

Stuart

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I have found that I can usually use my companys reduced rate or AAA. 9 out of 10 times, the AAA rate is better.

Definitely look into what your personal Auto Policy covers. Remember, if you do have an accident, your coverage kicks in after your deductible.

02-07-2005, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 350HP930
My favorite tip is to thrash the car.

Atta boy! That's great advice

David · David's Garage

I used my company's group number to make a reservation online for a vacation car. When I picked it up they never asked about the company discount. It was much cheaper than any other rate I could find and it was the same rate for everything up to a full size.

And remember, rental cars are the best handling cars in the world