Car rental recommendations?

[Belisarius]

I'm in the process of booking a trip, and have the option of booking a car with it, but I'd kind of like to play it by ear. For those of you who travel and rent regularly, which companies tend to have the best prices and service? For that matter, should I book it with the trip, or do it when I arrive?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kenickie]

Generally, if you bundle everything together, it's cheaper, although by how much is debatable. If it's going to be an extended stay (more than 7-10 days), I would bundle it all together right now as you are booking everything else. Renting cars stand alone is loaded with fees and what not that usually gets eliminated when you book it with everything else.

 

[thujone]

You might get a deal getting flight and car bundled but could wind up paying the same after considering the finders fee you'll be charged by a 3rd party for going through them. Depending on how long you intend to rent a car for, if you are traveling to a continental destination it could actually be worthwhile to sign up for AAA membership and go through an approved vendor. By doing so you could save enough money that it makes your AAA membership gratis. At the very least, book with a company that AAA endorses. Car rental is not the kind of thing you want to go with a discount company with, because the headaches and potential hidden fees you may be signing up to pay are just not worth the attempt to save fifty bucks, especially when you're traveling and in a vulnerable position.

 

[Belisarius]

Thank you for your responses.

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

At the very least, book with a company that AAA endorses. Car rental is not the kind of thing you want to go with a discount company with, because the headaches and potential hidden fees you may be signing up to pay are just not worth the attempt to save fifty bucks, especially when you're traveling and in a vulnerable position.

Seconded. Also, buy the insurance (if its optional) when you pick up the car. It's worth whatever the extra $50 or so is for that peace of mind. Seriously.

 

[alasdairm]

For that matter, should I book it with the trip, or do it when I arrive?

are you definitely going to need the car when you arrive? if so, i can't think of any good reason* not to book it in advance.

alasdair

* i recognise this doesn't mean there is no good reason

 

[Belisarius]

I've booked it in advance, and got the insurance.

Thanks again, people.

 

[Mariposa]

Do you have an already-insured car of your own, Bel?

Some companies include rental coverage in your policy so you don't have to buy the extra. If you call your car insurance company and they do cover it, just make sure to have your own insurance card with you.

 

[Busty St Clare]

I always buy insurance but never pay full price and just accept a $1000-2000 excess. This will save you at least $30 a day. I hire a car at least 3-4 times a year and over the course of the last 10 years I have saved far more than that $2000 . Like any insurance it is a gamble, but one that at this point in time I am ahead. One of my credit cards also drops this excess to around $400 as one of it's selling points if I use it to book my rental.

I always inspect the car and mark down any slight damage before I drive off. The more shady companies make a pretty dollar ripping off unsuspecting clients.

 

[felix]

which flavour of dollars is that?

Bel, you didn't even say which country/countries/continents you're going to on this magical mystery tour. what is true for the US may not be true for Outer Mongolia.

I always inspect the car and mark down any slight damage before I drive off.

Generally, if you bundle everything together, it's cheaper, although by how much is debatable. If it's going to be an extended stay (more than 7-10 days), I would bundle it all together right now as you are booking everything else. Renting cars stand alone is loaded with fees and what not that usually gets eliminated when you book it with everything else.

^ & ^ good general advice.

 

[Belisarius]

Re 'Posa: No auto of my own, yet, but I drive.

Bel, you didn't even say which country/countries/continents you're going to on this magical mystery tour. what is true for the US may not be true for Outer Mongolia.

Just the West Coast. A little closer than Outer Mongolia.

On a totally unrelated tangent, did anyone ever watch that episode of Lonely Planet (or perhaps a different show, the title escapes me) in Ulan Bator, where they indicate that it's actually normal there for strangers to hitch rides from place to place rather than hire a taxi?

 

[felix]

Just the West Coast.

ooh, ooh, i live on the west coast too. maybe we're neighbours???1??

i've been to a country [that i can't remember right now] which had two different colours of taxis. one colour indicated that you would be the only passenger, as normal, and would take you directly to your destination. the other colour indicated that your driver would pick up other passengers as well, and would take detours to drop them off/take new ones on as he gradually meandered to where you wanted to go. the latter option was much cheaper, but advised against. strange.

 

[Eshu2012]

Car Rental

Might I suggest that you get a GPS device and learn how to use it before your trip....

If you wait to walk up to a counter without reservations they will screww you..make reservation well in advance if possible...gets you a better price...dont let them talk you into a more expensive car at the counter...rent a car that is at an airport terminal (if your flying)...if you already have a car and have insurance you might already be convered...dont let them talk you into insurance..if you already have some...

right now the cost with taxes..is aprox $50 a day folks...just fyi...

have fun...

 

[Belisarius]

^
Thanks for the tip. I do plan to get a TomTom; I used a friend's one a couple of years ago and fell in love with it, though I still rock maps like it's nobody's business.

Re Felix:
I'm in Texas, deep in the barbarian southlands. I will enjoy visiting you decadent westerners.

 

[Mariposa]

Bel, if you'll be in the SF Bay or Portland, shoot me a PM and we can meet up

I couldn't live without my GPS. It's awful; I can read maps and atlases but I'm directionally impaired and I need to have navigation. I have an on-board (thanks to a BLer) and also my Blackberry has Telenav. I love both and would recommend very highly that you do keep a GPS with you!

 

[felix]

^
Thanks for the tip. I do plan to get a TomTom; I used a friend's one a couple of years ago and fell in love with it, though I still rock maps like it's nobody's business.

Re Felix:
I'm in Texas, deep in the barbarian southlands. I will enjoy visiting you decadent westerners.

hint: there's more than one west coast in the world. :D my one happens to be in scotland, so it would be a hell of a road trip.

anyway, +1 to at least having a GPS device with you, as well as paper maps. i just discovered today that my old beloved TomTom is fucked, but the CoPilot Live app on my iPhone is even better. you can't beat a GPS for navigating through unfamiliar territory, especially big cities.