Car Rental

[Airscrew]

I've always used Enterpise, mostly because they have an office right across the street from my wife's office and also they have a lot of locations.  Also no hassles when they mess up. For instance, we had reserved a mini van for a trip to Padre Island and Mustang Island, $40 a day.  When we showed up they didnt have any mini vans left so they upgraded us to a Suburban ($80 a day) at the mini van rate.

I have rented from Enterpise at least 6 or 7 times in the last 8 years.

When it comes to insurance for the rental car, check your personal policy, most car insurance policies have an item (or you can add it, in my case its a $1 a month or so) that covers you in rental cars.  Just carry your insurance card with you when get the rental car.

[Jackal1]

Enterprise as far as I`m concerned.

[Maverick]

Enterprise or Budget if you want to save a few $. If you want to get a fancy car and don't mind paying for it, go with hertz or even avis. Cheaper rates for mid week rental vs weekend.

[Traveler]

I travel weekly and rent weekly.  I've used every car rental company that is out there, the only company I have rented from for the last 5 years is Enterprise.  Best rates, most locations, can arrange drop off and pick up.  They also allowed me to open a coproate account with them to take advantage of an addition 15% discount with no limitations ever.  I'm self-employed so I eat the expenses.  Big difference when I only have to pay $80.00 for a 4 day rental as opposed to $150.00.  

The insurance is a rip off, Your own Automobile insurance will most likely cover you completely also some credit cards have an automatic insurance coverage plan, you need to check, but after 25 years of traveling and renting weekly, I've never needed it.   Google your maps have them with you and a small flash light , I don't get the GPS it's to distracting, I figure I am already driving on unfamiliar roads don’t need additional distractions.  But map quest or google maps does a pretty good job and can get airport to address turn by turn directions .  I always get them in both directions also, from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport.

[eskimo2]

Make sure that you check the allowable zone/range that they allow you to drive in.  Some rental cars have GPS tracking devices in the cars that note when you leave the agreed upon area.  I’ve also read that some rental cars have speedometer top speed recorders; they can fine you if you break the speed limit.  Not a great way of doing business and a great way of ruining all chances of repeat customers, but some companies have done it.

[Optiker]

Need to get to Otis AFB from Hyannis, and there is no way i'm trying to get a taxi with those lines!

Have you checked for a flight? PBA used to fly out of Hyannis to Otis.

Regards,
Optiker

[ChickenHawk]

If you get insurance through the rental company, read the fine print.  I rented a car in Baltimore once and the lady at the desk said full rental insurance was only $35.00.  I thought what a bargain and like an idiot signed the form.

Turns out it was $35.00 extra a day which she conveniently didn't tell me.  When I tuned the car back in my bill was $800.00.  I could have bought a beater car for less than that.  Expensive lesson.

[Dichotomy]

Haven't seen it posted yet but fill the car up when you're within 15 miles of the drop off point or they'll gouge the heck out of you for gas.

[Airscrew]

Originally posted by Dichotomy
Haven't seen it posted yet but fill the car up when you're within 15 miles of the drop off point or they'll gouge the heck out of you for gas.

some require you to bring a reciept for the gas.  If you fill it up and no reciept they will still charge you for the gas, just sayin,  its never happened to me but the rental agents have told me this before

[Airscrew]

Originally posted by ChickenHawk
If you get insurance through the rental company, read the fine print.  I rented a car in Baltimore once and the lady at the desk said full rental insurance was only $35.00.  I thought what a bargain and like an idiot signed the form.

Turns out it was $35.00 extra a day which she conveniently didn't tell me.  When I tuned the car back in my bill was $800.00.  I could have bought a beater car for less than that.  Expensive lesson.

thats why we recommened you should never get the insurance through the rental company.  Most (if not all) car insurance policies allow for coverage when you rent a car.  Also as someone else pointed out, most credits cards have insurance that covers you if you rent a vehicle with that credit card.

[68Wooley]

I use Avis because of their preferred service, which lets you skip the ridiculously slow moving lines at the rental place. They are, maybe, just a little more expensive than the other guys (excluding Hertz), but there's not much in it.

They're all bar-stewards if you let them. Unless you take their full damage waiver, go around the car before you leave and get someone to record EVERY ding, scrape or other damage before you leave - they have a special form for doing this. It'll saving a lot of shouting and swearing when you bring it back.

[bj229r]

NEVER get the insurance, (likely your insurance will cover the car) ALWAYS get the 'return empty' option---there is never time or availability to refuel the car at drop-off time, and they charge 4-5$ a gallon:huh