Car Rentals

[Emqtee]

A friend of mine is looking at renting a car. Neither one of us has ever done that before. Just wondering if the extra fees make it pretty expensive? It would just be for a weekend and staying in the same state. Any good tips you can give?

[kgsilvas]

I recommend going through Priceline for your rental, then declining all the extras at the counter when you pick up the car.

I've been using Priceline for car rentals for the past few years. I've rented for as low as $9 a day and typically don't pay over $12 for as large as a mid-sized car.

I always get one of the majors like Hertz or Avis from Priceline, then I decline all the extras since I've prepaid through Priceline. I hear others at the counter getting pressured into buying all their coverages and extras and a two day rental that started at $29.95 per day ended up costing them over $120. It's crazy!

[Markel]

A lot of personal auto insurance covers you when driving a rental car. I'd suggest verifying that personal insurance covers, then declining the outrageous car rental coverages. (For some rental agencies, it might be good to have the summary page of your personal insurance on hand when you rent.)

[mechmike0034]

If you rent using an AMEX card it may provide extra coverage. I am not certain on this, but it might be worth checking into (if your friend has an AMEX card)...

[Prngr44]

NOW I see this.... I didn't even know you could rent vehicles through priceline. I just rented a 15 passenger van for a trip to wine country (in MO) and was FORCED to rent 2 days because they weren't open on Sunday to return the damn thing.

:(

[tupacboy]

if its just for the weekend... i suggest just getting the "damage waiver". for the weekend it would cost you about $30... and it basically covers the entire car itself only... bumper to bumper... for me... that's just $30 for peace of mind...

[gear02]

I've rented from Alamo and they've rarely given me the hard sell on fuel or upselling. Plus I love their system where you just pick your car from a row of cars in your range. It's quite fun.

I had Thifty in florida and the f*cker "claimed" that the car I wanted wasn't available and gave me a PT cruiser for 3 people with lots of luggage. To upgrade I had to pay over $100 more. I'm never using them again.

I'm going to Seattle and booked on Dollar but noticed they didn't even charge my card (or even ask for my credit card) which I bet means that they'll upsell the crap out of me.

After reading this thread, I tried Priceline for my rental car and I got Hertz for $80 less than what the cheapest I could find on Kayak (which was that Dollar rate). I don't think Hertz will give me the hard sell, especially after I prepaid.

Freaking cool!

[Markel]

The last time I rented was from Enterprise in San Luis Obispo. I had reserved a full size car (had 3 kids with us), but I had a "free upgrade" coupon (from a previous business rental). So what did they give me: a Nissan Armada. :)

[Thesifer]

if its just for the weekend... i suggest just getting the "damage waiver". for the weekend it would cost you about $30... and it basically covers the entire car itself only... bumper to bumper... for me... that's just $30 for peace of mind...

Usually I don't get it since I am covered with my Credit Card that I rent with. Most Platinums do it. I would rather just risk them having to cover it then using $30 that I probably won't need. I guess it might just be me. But I also usually rent for longer then a weekend.. so it's more like $300 extra or something.

[Houdini]

A lot of personal auto insurance covers you when driving a rental car. I'd suggest verifying that personal insurance covers, then declining the outrageous car rental coverages. (For some rental agencies, it might be good to have the summary page of your personal insurance on hand when you rent.)

:stupid: Also check your credit card benefits as others have mentioned. I always decline the insurance, as it can easily make it much more expensive. You can, if you'd like, splurge and spend that extra money on a nicer/sportier/whatever car. I had a blast in CA several months ago in a new Mustang convertible. :)

[WhiskeyPapa]

On the rare occasion I rent, I do it online and use my "Rapid Rez" account with Budget. The courtesy bus simply drops me off at my car and I'm off. No need to stand in line and spend time telling a counter person you don't want the extras.

[Mommypooh]

renting Cars sucks for us, and will contunue to suck until after April 1 next year. I can't believe how many rental agencys charge an extra $25 bucks a day because we are under 25. Our insurance is not even at the full under 25 price, becasue we are married with kids.

Just watch what they charge for. No one told me thle extra fees when I quoted because they don't ask how old you are. It really sucks. But I will have to keep price line in mind next time I need a rental car.

[SKinAZ]

I don't buy their CDW because it nullifies my credit card coverage. The card picks up the difference between my auto insurance deductible/coverage.

The other extras are things like pre-paid gas, XM Radio, GPS. All come with hefty fees.

Since most folks get unlimited mileage and don't use a whole tank, it's MUCH cheaper to just top off the tank before returning the car. Last time I only had to put in about 5 gal. The pre-pay was for the entire 17 gal tank. Saved myself $25-$30 by declining fuel purchase.

Hertz was charging $15 per day per item for the GPS and XM Radio. No thanks!

[Thesifer]

renting Cars sucks for us, and will contunue to suck until after April 1 next year. I can't believe how many rental agencys charge an extra $25 bucks a day because we are under 25. Our insurance is not even at the full under 25 price, becasue we are married with kids.

Just watch what they charge for. No one told me thle extra fees when I quoted because they don't ask how old you are. It really sucks. But I will have to keep price line in mind next time I need a rental car.

I used to have this problem with renting when I was under 25.. Then when I turned 25.. I went to rent, and asked the guy at Hertz in my hometown (when I was home on leave) What difference it made, he said "not a bit.. because it's a college town we rent to 18 and up.. and so do the other places in town" .. but in Oklahoma City, I had to rent out of Enterprise.. I don't believe they charge a fee for being under 25.

[Houdini]

I used to have this problem with renting when I was under 25.. Then when I turned 25.. I went to rent, and asked the guy at Hertz in my hometown (when I was home on leave) What difference it made, he said "not a bit.. because it's a college town we rent to 18 and up.. and so do the other places in town" .. but in Oklahoma City, I had to rent out of Enterprise.. I don't believe they charge a fee for being under 25.

I knew someone who went on a job interview several years ago after graduating from college, but was unable to rent a car secondary to the <25 rule. So she rented a U-Haul. Hell, it was only for 2 days. Damn good idea I thought!

[InfiniteNothing]

Oh the irony. They don't think you can drive a Dodge Neon at 24 but a giant U-Haul—Sure why not.

[Thesifer]

Oh the irony. They don't think you can drive a Dodge Neon at 24 but a giant U-Haul—Sure why not.

That's because no one under 25 needs to rent a car for any legitimate purpose. And you can only use a U-haul for a few things so they know you are actually moving.

Ok.. Not really... But that's just because the rental system is all fudged up.

[InfiniteNothing]

I can think of all sorts of illegitimate uses for a U-haul :naughty: