Rental Car Companies

That's a great week rate...

 

Whichever is nearest to me when I descend the terminal escalator.

 

Check out flyertalk.com for discussion about various companies, discounted rates, etc.

Avis, Hertz and National are typically considered top-tier. Enterprise is typically considered lower than low-tier.

 

I hate Dollar.

That is all.

 

yes. avis loves raping ass.

 

A heads-up: National's acquisition by Enterprise is imminent.

 

When I was traveling often for work, I liked National's Emerald Club. Got to the airport, into the shuttle bus, picked my car and I'm gone. No waiting in line.

I have yet to find a car rental outfit that keeps the time-wasting to a minimum like that.

I got screwed royally by Advantage once in San Diego. I returned the car about 4:30 in the morning because I had a 6 a.m. flight. Their office didn't open until 5. So I had to leave the car in the parking lot, keys in the gas tank, then walk from the off-airport location back to the terminal because I couldn't for the life of me find a taxi.

That sucked. I got to the airport about 5:30, tired, sweaty and pissed off.

 

I start with a site like Travelocity.com so I can get an idea of prices from five or six companies. I've also used Priceline.com and have sometimes been able to get good deals, offering very low prices to see what I can get. But often times it depends on the city; need a car when you land at JFK or LGA and you're just not getting something at less than $75 a day.

What's hacking me off more and more these days are the fees they tack on . . . airport access charges, etc. They can easily add $50 onto your bill.

 

Rented a car in a Midwestern town last week. $30 for the rental ... $30 for the taxes and fees.

 

Enterprise's bread and butter is local rentals -- people whose car is in the shop. They deal best with insurance companies and the local rentals is what they focus on. For the most part, they only have airport locations to maintain a presence within the industry.

 

You bought the insurance?

 

True, but ALWAYS ask at the counter if you are getting the best deal they offer