Couple are renting a car as they had car trouble last time. How to get best deal? Longer time period? Airport pickup? Costco said to have good deals?

If someone can pick them up from the Airport and go to a non-airport location it will be considerably cheaper.

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C(-)ris
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C(-)ris
If someone can pick them up from the Airport and go to a non-airport location it will be considerably cheaper.

Yup, airport locations add A LOT of extra taxes vs a local location.

At least for me, the best prices seem to be from Budget after you create or login to an account. But sometimes, you just got to do the legwork for the location you're going to.

Although my best deal was a "Mystery Car" special at AVIS through Expedia. Didn't know what car we'd get, but it didn't really matter for that trip. Ended up with a Chevy Colorado.

Costco first, plus there is no fee for a second driver. Of the aggregation sites, for cars Expedia seems to be best.

I've occasionally found smoking deals from Costco. Also AAA and/or AARP once in a blue moon (but when they're deals, they're deals!). When all is said and done, I usually rent through the individual business because the price is the same/lower. I always check them all.

I've been using Hertz Gold (free with a sign-up) recently because I can simply pick out the car I want. My basic criteria when I pick out my own car is that there is no existing damage. I don't want a chance of being charged for somebody else's damage. And I don't want to fight with them about it 2 months after I've dropped off a car.

See if they can get a car thought their employer? it may be significantly cheaper.

when I rent for work, I pick up in terminal at MCO (Orlando) and national is $30/day, there are a few that are $10-12 per day but you need to take a shuttle. Company covers insurance, 4-5 days comes to around $160-200 with taxes and fees.

When I tried to rent for my vacation, it was $400 for one week, and wife managed to get one bundled with the flight and the hotel for $0, I am not sure how that works but it really was no cost to us, at least no direct cost. I am sure that they move funds between companies to come up with these kind of deals.

I have found this website to be extremely useful for finding the best price quickly. The grid will show you the out the door price from every rental agency at a location, including some that you normally don't think of.

My last rental was in Grand Rapids, MI using Autoeurope at the Avis Counter. Same Avis car, half the price.

[www.autorentals.com]

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we have had very good success using the costco->travel->car rental feature.

i often need to get to the local nyc airports to get the best rates since those parking lots have the most cars to choose from.

thumbs up.

rob

Sign up for email alerts at least two weeks before you want to rent.

It was 16 years ago so likely different now, but the Enterprise on the edge of downtown Sacramento was regularly the cheapest in the region. Airport locations have to pay high rent. An airport with a good bus/light-rail line should have better car rental prices as soon as you get off the Port property.

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gadje
See if they can get a car thought their employer? it may be significantly cheaper.

when I rent for work, I pick up in terminal at MCO (Orlando) and national is $30/day, there are a few that are $10-12 per day but you need to take a shuttle. Company covers insurance, 4-5 days comes to around $160-200 with taxes and fees.

When I tried to rent for my vacation, it was $400 for one week, and wife managed to get one bundled with the flight and the hotel for $0, I am not sure how that works but it really was no cost to us, at least no direct cost. I am sure that they move funds between companies to come up with these kind of deals.

Be careful with this. It's one thing to use the corporate discount code. Renting thru the employer may put the insurance coverage within the employer's fleet coverage. An accident or damage could result in a sticky situation. My employer has no issue with us using the corporate discount code as it helps the company negotiate better rates.

Not sure about AARP discounts, but AAA used to have some of the best discounts around. Have them check their credit card to see if they offer discounts and insurance coverage. Having a rental car covered under one's own insurance can be dicey. If you're in an accident, not only are you on the hook for damages but potentially lost revenue.

Some airline rewards memberships also offer rental discounts. Go thru the rewards app to see as you usually have to rent thru their app to get their pricing.

Make sure that anyone who is driving presents their license at time of rental. This is really important.

not for everyone certainly, but I have had good results with Turo.
I get the car I want, not a last minute switch, at the price I'm looking to pay. The are many different choices to be had at any decent airport.
Evryday driver sedans to frighteningly fast stoopercars.
I dislike seeing the words "or similar" that most rental companies call the contract you're signing.

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Nolite manducare flavo.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2024 08:34AM by Fritz.

Just started looking at some of the links mentioned. Price looks good on some,. for a $35/day car. And this was a SUPPLIERS CHOICE car. But at LAX, and mentioned SHUTTLE. I guess they expect us to be flying and take the shuttle to and from their location. But price was cheap.


Doing a closer smaller airport LBX was more expensive, but then you go look at the break down, and there is a $120 delivery fee.

So will keep researching.

I'm a big fan of Costco Travel. Almost always the best price, especially knowing that all taxes and fees are factored into the quote. And there is no penalty for canceling if you want lock in a reservation and keep shopping around.

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andypie48
Costco first, plus there is no fee for a second driver. Of the aggregation sites, for cars Expedia seems to be best.

Depending on what state you're renting in, a second driver may or may not be a benefit. I.e. In California, family members are allowed to drive free of charge. The rental car companies won't even bother to put my wife on the contract when I ask. But of course, there's no clear guidance as to what constitute's "family". Spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents are all mentioned, but would parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, siblings that are now married and have different last names, etc?

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Fritz
not for everyone certainly, but I have had good results with Turo.

One thing to check and be really certain about with Turo is insurance. A lot of insurers and credit cards won't cover Turo (I know mine don't). So if you have to buy insurance through Turo, it defeats any price advantage. But my personal auto insurance policy will cover a normal rental car and credit cards will cover physical damage.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2024 10:40AM by Gareth.

Yes, a insurance truism regaring Turo.
Fortunately, we're covered.

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Nolite manducare flavo.

Where ya/they goin'? Unless I absolutely know better, I check out all available rentals at the location we're going to, rather than relying on an aggregator and/or big name agency online. You can get really good deals w/ a little bit of homework. Recent scores in just the last month were Maui and Phoenix.

Good luck.
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Fritz
Yes, a insurance truism regaring Turo.
Fortunately, we're covered.

Does Turo even let you waive their insurance? I used it off an on since around 2013 I think and the jump in insurance costs post-pandemic has been a deal breaker.

Our rental contract at work has a leisure use option (using a different code). Never been able to beat its rates in my searches.

Be careful with this. It's one thing to use the corporate discount code. Renting thru the employer may put the insurance coverage within the employer's fleet coverage. An accident or damage could result in a sticky situation. My employer has no issue with us using the corporate discount code as it helps the company negotiate better rates.

Good point, I should have clarified: use the code if the employer allows it, but get your own insurance.

Our rental contract at work has a leisure use option (using a different code). Never been able to beat its rates in my searches.

Nice, that is what I was thinking about...

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Black
Does Turo even let you waive their insurance?

Yes, they do (unless that has changed).

There was a potential Turo "scam" here locally last year. Someone rented a Tesla on Turo, and then suspiciously, some folks smashed all the windows out overnight. Renter got hit with like a $35k bill that his insurance and credit card won't cover because it's Turo. [abc7.com]

Folks think the Turo owner sent some shady characters to smash out the windows to create the claim (only the rented Tesla was targeted on a block with lots of other cars). Apparently Turo will let the owners submit pretty much whatever they want in damage claims, which then gets passed to the renter.

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we have had very good success using the costco->travel->car rental feature.

+1

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yes, I used my auto ins for both rentals. No issue.
The only other pita about Turo is the need (for insurance reasons) to take picts of the whole car before and after.

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Nolite manducare flavo.

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Fritz
The only other pita about Turo is the need (for insurance reasons) to take picts of the whole car before and after.

Although probably a good habit to get into regardless of where you're renting from!

Going thru Priceline, my Grandson found a low price by picking up car at LAX and returning there.

Currently it is setup for "Suppliers Choice", which I think we are going to have to change, as the reservation picture has a picture of a head with "2" by it. That may be too small.

So may edit to larger vehicle that can hold 3 people, and 2 peoples Bowling Gear, and luggage, etc.

So with Suppliers Choice it is 5 days x $8.26 = $41.30
Taxes and Fees. $25.93
For a total of $67.23

Free Cancellation
Pay at Pick-up
Unlimited Mileage
Double Shuttle (Which we won't need)

To go larger and not "Suppliers Choice"
Mid Size (Toyota Corolla or Similar $83 Total
Standard Size Car Volkswagen Passat or Similar $88 Total