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School me on car rental

4eigner

4eigner

Member
Hey, folks! I'm trying to rent a car in Austin, TX during Labor Day weekend. Which companies would you guys recommend? Looking for something fairly inexpensive, and a compact/mid size vehicle.

Would there be anything around $25ish/day? I'll be there for 4 days if that makes a difference.
 
google is <-> that way.

Hey! Try being nice. Costs you nothing, keeps us off your back, and makes you look better after posts like #15.
admin allisolm
 
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When I rent I look at hotwire, then costco, then each company individually.

Last month I went direct with budget since they were the cheapest.
 
I went through Travelocity last year...in Indianapolis the rate was $12.22 per day plus taxes and feels, or $20.xx per day in total. As I recall, that trip I used Thrifty's "Wild Card" where it's somewhat random what you get...we ended up in a brand new $35K F150 which drove very nice but MPG sucked.

Travelocity was cheaper than the other aggregators and significantly cheaper than thrifty.com.
 
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Check to see if you qualify for a discount through your employer or some other group affiliation. That can bring your price down dramatically.
 
sgrinavi said:
Is there a Fox rent a car there? That's the cheapest I've found by a pretty fair margin
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Off airport though, correct? Which in some states can mean savings on fees and taxes and in other states not at all. And assuming off airport, the other concern is transportation to and fro.
 
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my experience: never trust them, check the car and fuel amount carefully before signing, don't trust them to have the car you asked for because they probably just have a common pool and string everybody along, call if your plane is delayed.
 
Murloc said:
my experience: never trust them, check the car and fuel amount carefully before signing, don't trust them to have the car you asked for because they probably just have a common pool and string everybody along, call if your plane is delayed.
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What I like is the upsell scam. You show up at the counter where they try to upgrade you to a more expensive rental. After you turn it down, you find that they have no cars left at the price tier you reserved but they will put you in the more expensive model at the same price.

The other one you've got to be aware of is insurance. It used to be if you had car insurance you were totally covered. Now, they hit you for an 'out of service' cost that your insurance won't cover. You have to pay for their loss of rental while the car is being repaired. Not truly a scam but something to be aware of.

The other is a secondary driver. Some charge for it, some don't and some put conditions on who the secondary driver can be. Family member or not, etc.

The last two are why it's good to know the terms of the CC you will use as it relates to a rental car. Some coverage may be available.

Nothing is simple anymore.
 
I've had rentals from Enterprise. Last time they tried really hard to upsell me, but I very firmly declined and ended up with a Versa Note for two weeks. The car had 13 miles on when I pulled out of their lot, and the new car smell was so strong it burned and I left the windows down whenever possible.

I averaged almost 45mpg with mixed city and highway driving. The stereo was decent, the seats comfortable if a bit firm, and it was plenty roomy. I'd probably have preferred a Fiesta but I'm pretty happy with what I got.
 
I usually prefer National, Avis, or Hertz. I find their cars tend (not all the time) to be better. And I like the pick and choose options that National and Hertz offer. They're usually the more costly option though, especially compared to places like Fox, Advantage, Dollar, Thrifty, etc.
 
Thanks all for the tips and tricks! I initially did google, but I apologize for not asking specifically enough. I've never rented a car, and it seemed like the prices varied from $45-$65 depending on companies. I'll check out the stuff you guys have mentioned. Thanks again!
 
Depending on public transportation options and your plans, compare prices between the airport location and a nearby location. Last time I was in Chicago, the location one train stop away was 1/3 the price. Last time I was in San Francisco, the city locations were 50% more.
 
I always walk around the car with my smartphone in video mode pointing out any small dents, scratches or such. Also do the same in the interior looking for cigarette burns in seats or tears. Its amazing how many times they will charge customers for the same scratch or dent. If you have video evidence, it will save you.
 
I like National if someone else is paying, but use Budget/Avis for personal rentals.
 
Raizinman said:
I always walk around the car with my smartphone in video mode pointing out any small dents, scratches or such. Also do the same in the interior looking for cigarette burns in seats or tears. Its amazing how many times they will charge customers for the same scratch or dent. If you have video evidence, it will save you.
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You're paranoid.

I say this as a frequent business traveler. Many, many of my rentals are all beat up. The most common issue I see is paint damage from haphazard trunk or hatch loading. It is rarely if ever noted on the rental agreement, and it is never an issue when returning them. This sounds a little more like you heard a story or read a bit of alarmist journalism. They really don't care about normal dings.
 
Ferzerp said:
You're paranoid.

I say this as a frequent business traveler. Many, many of my rentals are all beat up. The most common issue I see is paint damage from haphazard trunk or hatch loading. It is rarely if ever noted on the rental agreement, and it is never an issue when returning them. This sounds a little more like you heard a story or read a bit of alarmist journalism. They really don't care about normal dings.
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Perhaps not. I'm also a frequent business traveler. My company via it's contract with Hertz, Avis, National and Enterprise is a self insurer on all claims.

Yet watch the people pick up personal rentals. At my off airport Hertz location they always do a walk around with the customer and markup the preexisting damage slip. Never do it with me. I've found that at other locations as well.
 
On other tip about rentals... Call you own insurance company and ask for rental damage coverage. NO... NO... NO... Not the rental car coverage you get when your personal vehicle is in the body shop...

They can add a rider that covers you for damages to rental vehicles That you rent for personal use. Costs me $6 a year. Compare that to $12-$20 per day that the rental company wants to charge you.

You have to be very clear with your insurer that you want this and that they don't confuse it with covering the expense of a rental car when your car is in the shop.

Then when you go to rent a car and they offer you their inflated cost for that coverage and you tell them you have it via your insurance - They'll still work to see you the coverage because they'll place doubts that you actually do have coverage in your head.
 
WackyDan said:
On other tip about rentals... Call you own insurance company and ask for rental damage coverage. NO... NO... NO... Not the rental car coverage you get when your personal vehicle is in the body shop...

They can add a rider that covers you for damages to rental vehicles That you rent for personal use. Costs me $6 a year. Compare that to $12-$20 per day that the rental company wants to charge you.

You have to be very clear with your insurer that you want this and that they don't confuse it with covering the expense of a rental car when your car is in the shop.

Then when you go to rent a car and they offer you their inflated cost for that coverage and you tell them you have it via your insurance - They'll still work to see you the coverage because they'll place doubts that you actually do have coverage in your head.
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In Illinois this is automatically covered via your car insurance by law. No additional rider or expense. Not sure how it is with all states, so it doesn't hurt to ask.
 
Uppsala9496 said:
In Illinois this is automatically covered via your car insurance by law. No additional rider or expense. Not sure how it is with all states, so it doesn't hurt to ask.
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Hm, what about if you live in IL and rent a car in a different state?

Last time I rented a car I had to get insurance because the place categorically refused to rent me a car without it and I had no other choices. Would be nice if I was automatically covered even if I were to rent in a different state.
 
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