car hire

[wiggy]

hello people
i will be hiring a 7 seater mini van from las vegas on 9 august until 22nd august, could any body suggest a good CHEAP car hire firm for uk residents. it will be one way dropping off at lax.
thanks

[UK]

Hi Wiggy,

Two problems for the UK motorist hiring a car for the journey you describe, drop off charges and insurance.

Many car hire companies will charge an arm and a leg for picking up in one place and dropping off in another.

The insurance charges can be huge especially if you are young (under 25) and if you want to register many drivers.

The best way out in my experience is to arrange the car hire from the UK via a UK travel agent / company. There are very good all inclusive deals with full insurance (much cheaper than buying the insurance in the states) and sometimes no drop off fees. Try Thomas Cook or any specialist USA travel agent e.g. http://www.northamericatravelservice.co.uk who do a deal with no drop off fees for a one way rental from Vegas to San Francisco.

UK

[Robert Schaller]

The best way out in my experience is to arrange the car hire from the UK via a UK travel agent / company. There are very good all inclusive deals with full insurance (much cheaper than buying the insurance in the states) and sometimes no drop off fees. Try Thomas Cook or any specialist USA travel agent e.g. http://www.northamericatravelservice.co.uk who do a deal with no drop off fees for a one way rental from Vegas to San Francisco.

I suspect that UK's advice on this will get you your best deal -- but before you commit, for comparison purposes, one of the best deals in the USA for one way rentals right now is Advantage Rent-a-Car -- their rate is $60 per day for one way rents, & no "drop charge." Obviously, the drop charge is included in the daily rate, as $60 per day is on the high side. This wouldn't include insurance. As you've been advised, this is very expensive -- so maybe your home country agencies can beat it by a smidge -- or maybe a mile. It would be helpful (great, in fact) if you'd drop back and let us know if you DO get a better rate from over there, so we can better answer this query in future. Bob

[Jonnibgood]

I found airline network to be the best once you take into account one way hire charges and additional drivers. Holiday Autos looked good up till those additional charges were mentioned. I did find that quotes varied and I looked at a lot of websites and companies - even using corporate discounts for Holiday Autos and Alamo could not beat the price I got - if you've got the time, it pays to shop around.

The best quote I got was via www.airnet.co.uk

Enjoy your holiday.

[wiggy]

hello people
i seem to have found a good deal from www.airline-network.co.uk i have hired a dodge ram 8 seater for 12 days with insurance and any driver from vegas to lax with no drop off fee for the princely sum of £359.00
regards wiggy

[Mark Sedenquist]

i seem to have found a good deal from www.airline-network.co.uk i have hired a dodge ram 8 seater for 12 days with insurance and any driver from vegas to lax with no drop off fee for the princely sum of £359.00

If I have done my math correctly -- that would be about USD 650.00? That does seem pretty good -- but I am not sure that it is really that much different from what is available here -- although that "no-drop-off-fee" probably does make it very competitive. Thanks for the intel.

Mark

[Steve237]

I'm looking to pick up a convertible in L.A. and drop off 10 days later in Phoenix. Airline Networks quote is £262 which apparently covers everthing. I am 27 years old.

I'd be interested to compare this price to a US firm though - has anyone got any recommendations?

The convertible Airline Network have quoted is a Crysler Sebring (or similar). It looks pretty nice but I wouldn't mind something a bit better (bigger in size and even more luxurious) seeing as it's out honeymoon...

[wiggy]

hi
most american companys charge you a drop off fee if it is dropped off in a different state to which you hired it.

[Robert Schaller]

It seems to me that is a very competitive price for a 10 day one-way rental! In markets they serve, Advantage will rent one way with no drop charges for $60 per day. That's significantly more than what you've been offered. Bob

[wiggy]

and the best thing i have found about using this firm is they include insurance, what you pay is for everything.