I'm sorry - but... Renting Cars

edrex · Posted: Mar 17, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: I'm sorry - but... Renting Cars

What car rental companies do you all recommend, or which ones should I avoid? Something quick, easy and reliable (like the car I reserve will be there when I arrive) from a major airport.
Thanks. And my apologies in advance for such a stupid thread.

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

Enterprise..... only because I use my Amex points.

The other times I have rented cars was going through Orbitz or CheapTickets where you can compare all the other rental agency prices.

ky1e · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 2693

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

I have used both Alamo and Budget quite a bit and had good result both times. Avis and Hertz will always be good, but you pay for it.

You can search high level comparative prices through travelocity, but often the best deals are on each company's website.

The biggest challenging is spending and hour or so to find the best deal, because all car companies offer a cluster phuck of mix and match deals.

For example if you pre-pay (often the best) your daily rate may be $33 and then you get 15% off or a net daily rate of $28.05.

Then there may be deals where you get 30% off a weekly rental, but the daily is $45 or a net daily of $31.5.

This can be a PITA do deal with, but if you take some time you can generally find one combination or offer that is far and above all the other rates.

STPHNSN23 · Guest

might check to see which companies are on site at the airport you're flying into.

edrex · Posted: Mar 17, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks alot. Now I have some direction at least.
Cheers,
ed.

mbuck · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 1629

I have had no complaints with Alamo.

Go to a Barnes and Noble or Borders and get the Entertainment book. They have a deal in there for a "two car class upgrade" and you are around $19/day in a midsize.

Broccoli B · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 4:31 am Post subject:

one website, rentalcarmomma.com

Hollywood · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 5:39 am Post subject:

Hertz repeatedly didn't even have the class of car I reserved online after showing up at the airport (not small town airports). Enterprise employees don't seem to give a stuff either. I primarily use Budget.

TnR6Rida · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 7:04 am Post subject:

We've have went on several trips, and I don't think we ever got the car we reserved, somtimes not even the same class.

edrex · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

big_steve, any specific rental car company, or just bad luck in general?

Broccoli B, thanks for the link.

edrex · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 10:11 am Post subject:

Well, just booked through Alamo. Thanks everyone for the advice.

TnR6Rida · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

edrex, Just bad luck in general I guess. It has been with a few different companies. Hertz, Alamo, and a few more.

I remember we went through all kinds of hell with Hertz. We had reserved a car, and sure enough when we got there they didn't have one availble. So the guy is trying to find us another car that is about the same as far as price. Well they didn't have anything close, that we needed. All they had were some little tiny cars, and jeeps that were about the same price wise. Well we couldn't use any of those, so the guy starts trying to tell us we are just going to have to pay more for a luxury type vehicle, or a big SUV.

Anyway long story short we weren't about to pay that much more money, because they screwed up and didn't have the car we reserved. After some arguing we ended up with a very nice Chrystler 300 cheaper than what our original car was going to cost Laughing

Oh and when we finally got all that straitened out we walked to the parking garage, the guy walked out of the little building all the keys were in, and asked how could he help us. We gave him the papers and said we need the key for the 300. He says ok, walk back to his little building.....The door is locked! Evil or Very Mad

He goes OH man it locks automatically and I left my key inside.

It took them over an hour to find someone that had a key to get in the building.

So in all it took over 2 hours to get our car.

Talk about a shitty start to a vacation.

/rant

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

I've rented from Enterprise. Their staff were always super nice to deal with, but their car selection sucked and one time I got in the car and drove for 10 seconds and the low fuel light came on which was annoying.

ohsix · Posted: Mar 18, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

I've rented from Hertz (Hurts), Avis, and Enterprise. I've been the most satisfied with Enterprise. Avis is okay, but have not had the car I reserved several times and cost a little more than Enterprise. I rented from Hertz once only because I needed a 4wd vehicle and they were the only ones that had one that day. They charged me $600+ for renting a Ford F-150 for 3 1/2 days. I still needed a vehicle, but returned it and switched to Enterprise mid-trip to a 4wd Jeep Grand Cherokee for 3 days for $99. Also, I've always been under whatever magical age it is that rental car companies like, but Enterprise has always waived the age fee for me.

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

ohsix · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 5:59 am Post subject:

ontrider, they usually tack on an extra $20-$50/day insurance fee for me. I've never been denied a car rental because of my age. Tomorrow, I'll be 25 and won't have to deal with it anymore.

Hollywood · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

I reserved a Cadillac when I went on vacation in Florida a couple years ago. When I get up to the counter the dude says I can't get that vehicle because I am under 25. Well I show him the printed out reservation that asked for my birthdate, with the damn Cadillac confirmed. He tries to put me in some POS so I finally get angry and demand a convertable. I hate Sebrings but wanted to at least screw them into giving me a premium charged vehicle for basically a regular price. Such idiots, all of them.

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

Hollywood · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

No, I wanted to be comfortable. I am accustomed to the smooth ride of my Fleetwood.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Hollywood, does it have fine Corinthian leather?

Hollywood · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:

No, it's tan and dirty.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Hollywood, but was it once fine Corinthian leather?

It's not the cow's fault that you suck at leather.

Hollywood · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

I don't think so. The passenger and back seats are in awesome shape. My fat ass sliding in and out of the car the past 3 years, 60k miles has put some character into the driver's seat. The weather has finally turned here where I can keep the car clean again, yay.

Damon · Posted: Mar 19, 2009 11:02 am Post subject:

The age rule is BS. And it just depends on which one you go to, for example, the people at Seatac won't rent to under 25, but the Bellingham guys have no problem.