Car rental types - help!!!!!!!

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA forum!

Most every rental agency will give discounted rates for weekly or monthly rentals, but there really is not one that stands out as better or worse. You'll just have to shop around - prices can vary pretty wildly.

Actually the biggest potential expense would probably be with your two car plan. One way rentals almost always have drop off fees, so if you switched cars in Vegas, I suspect you'll end up paying significantly more money because you'd be paying that drop fee twice. If you stay with one car, you'll likely save yourself a few hundred dollars.

[Smudgeboy]

Thank you for your welcome!

My intention was to shop around during my week in SF - so it looks like I'll stick to that plan.

So do you reckon the savings on a long-term rental starting and ending at SF with the same vehicle will outweight the costs of parking the thing during my "rest-weeks" in Vegas and San Diego?

[Midwest Michael]

There's no way of knowing at this point which option will be most economical, without specifics of how long you'll be resting, and what you find for rates and drop fees. Its something you'll just have to shop around for and then do the math.

I would not recommend waiting until you get to SF to "shop around." Every major rental agency is online, and its highly unlikely that you'd be able to get a better deal by waiting until the last minute. Do your research now, when you find a price you like book it, and then enjoy your week by the bay.

[s7paul]

As Michael says, don't wait until you get there. When I handed over the booking confirmation at the Alamo desk at San Francisco airport, the guy couldn't believe the price. He asked if I'd booked online (I had), and said that if I hadn't booked in advance, and had just tried to rent the car on arrival, I would have been quoted around twice the price.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Generally, you can save money if book early -- but in these times of tougher economic conditions, many local offices of the national rental car companies are making on-the-moment discounted deals -- so sometimes you can get a much better deal to negotiate when you arrive... It's a lot riskier though...

Mark

[Midwest Michael]

The one really nice thing about car rental reservations is that you are rarely required to put down a deposit to lock in the rate. While occationally I'll find a rate that has a cancellation fee attached, much of the time you can reserve a car, and if you later find a better deal, cancel the reservation without it costing a dime.

[Smudgeboy]

Guys, this is gold dust - thank you so much!

This site just keeps opening me up to new surprises - from spending the last couple of days trawling through this forum I've already revised my itinerary twice!!

I'll be posting a draft itinerary soon and asking for advice on schedules - don't say I didn't warn you :)

Meanwhile, looks like tonight's task is trawling the car rental sites ;)

[romanp]

Hi All,

I have done EXTENSIVE research on car rental companies for my upcoming trip to the USA. If you live in either Australia or New Zealand, I found the following company provides the best rates for rental cars in the USA (including insurance): driveaway-AU They have wholesale relationships with many of the major car rental companies in the USA.

RP

[Lifemagician]

From my experience of renting vehicles in the USA, that strikes me as expensive. I paid less than $250 per week, all inclusive... and that was with Budget. Just walk into the office where you want to rent, and ask what the best price is they can offer. If they have cars sitting there, they are only too keen to get them on the road.

I have never 'booked' a vehicle, and doubt prices have gone up that much in two years. Or have they??

Lifey who will be buying a vehicle for this year's trip

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have never 'booked' a vehicle, and doubt prices have gone up that much in two years.

Our experience is that many international resellers can offer rates that are cheaper than any you can find here in the USA. On the other hand, business is down here in the USA and so you might get a cheaper rate by following Lifey's advice and winging it, but .... it would be a risk.

Mark