Looks like we need to rent a car in Milwaukee WI for a few days (flying in for family event in a month; it's been a real long time since we rented one). Any rental car companies to avoid? Or are recommended? Thanks.

Avoid Hertz unless you want to risk jail for stealing your rental.

Look at [www.autorentals.com] to see all the rates at your airport. It has served me well in the past to find the best deals on car rentals. Look at the total price shown, not the daily rate as some rentals have low daily rates but then high required fees that make them far costlier.

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i think every airport will be a different experience. Look at Yelp or TripAdvisor reviews for specific companies at your destination airport.

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We will never use Budget car rental again. Burned twice by waiting hours to pickup the rental. Both times at Dallas-Ft Worth.

Spirit Airlines screwed us at the same airport, so they have lost what little business we have with air travel.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2024 10:41AM by modelamac.

I usually stick with Enterprise. Many times it is cheaper to take an Uber from their airport to a nearby location, but for just a few days it probably isn't worth it.

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Markintosh
i think every airport will be a different experience. Look at Yelp or TripAdvisor reviews for specific companies at your destination airport.

Yup. I've had great experiences with my local Budget branch, and even the experience at the Spokane Airport was quick and hassle free, but they charged me for 0.8 gallons of gas! And they never even looked in the car! (Can the cars communicate with their handheld scanners now?) I'd filled up beforehand and it showed full on return, but it's like they know everyone fills up in town and just take out 0.8 gallons of gas for the drive to the airport, but if that was true, then I would have had 0.8 gallons of gas less than full when I left the airport!!! Sadly, $8 wasn't really worth my time to investigate, and they probably figure that's true for most people so they can get away with it.

My last trip friend used her Costco membership to rent, highly recommend.

As has been pointed out, depends on the location for each company. That said, the top tier companies usually provide better cars and customer service, but it can be hit or miss. Helps to join the reward program of the company providing the car in case there is a dedicated rental counter line for reward members when you pick up the car, or you can skip the counter and go to the pickup area. National is usually touted as the best but their prices are too high for me unless my job rents from them. I like Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, and Thrifty (good overall for a cheap company). Hertz used to be better but they started going downhill after the pandemic. I have rented from those 5 companies a lot so I think I get treated fine. Some of the rental companies are under the same ownership. Dollar and Budget may have lower prices but the lines tend to be long, and they don't have the best cars and customer service lacks in my experience. I now stay away from the other low budget companies like Fox, Payless, etc. Every company has coupons/discount codes that can be found online.

I agree with Black about renting through Costco. I have an upcoming trip and reserved an Avis car through them and it is a good savings compared to booking through Avis. AAA rates usually aren't as good as Costco's. Car rental rates can change daily or multiple times a day, like airfares. Unless you pre-paid for a car rental, you can cancel/re-book when a lower rate pops up. I do that often.

Thanks for all the info!

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polychrome
As has been pointed out, depends on the location for each company. That said, the top tier companies usually provide better cars and customer service, but it can be hit or miss. Helps to join the reward program of the company providing the car in case there is a dedicated rental counter line for reward members when you pick up the car, or you can skip the counter and go to the pickup area. National is usually touted as the best but their prices are too high for me unless my job rents from them. I like Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, and Thrifty (good overall for a cheap company). Hertz used to be better but they started going downhill after the pandemic. I have rented from those 5 companies a lot so I think I get treated fine. Some of the rental companies are under the same ownership. Dollar and Budget may have lower prices but the lines tend to be long, and they don't have the best cars and customer service lacks in my experience. I now stay away from the other low budget companies like Fox, Payless, etc. Every company has coupons/discount codes that can be found online.

I agree with Black about renting through Costco. I have an upcoming trip and reserved an Avis car through them and it is a good savings compared to booking through Avis. AAA rates usually aren't as good as Costco's. Car rental rates can change daily or multiple times a day, like airfares. Unless you pre-paid for a car rental, you can cancel/re-book when a lower rate pops up. I do that often.

Rate was good, no charge for additional driver, plus they just randomly discounted the whole ting 20% on return. If they later hit us with any unexpected charges, I haven't been told about it.

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Black
Rate was good, no charge for additional driver, plus they just randomly discounted the whole ting 20% on return. If they later hit us with any unexpected charges, I haven't been told about it.

Oh also when we needed a few extra hours due to picking up in the morning and dropping off in the afternoon, the rep bumped us down to an overall cheaper weekly rate.

Costco Travel, if you're a member, will give you the best rates.

ive rented through Costco, but the price was the same. the bennies, however, were better. what they were, I cannot recall, but I do think it had to do with insurance and extra driver. fwiw, the rental companies have always been good about being slightly over time and upgrading cars when they are available at no extra charge. I typically rent at airports, which have slightly higher rates, but MUCH better vehicles.

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