styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 8, 2022 16:17:04 GMT
Hello Pea Buddies!
We have an upcoming trip that we will need to rent a car from an airport for a week. It's been soooo long since we've rented a car, I have no idea where to get the best rates. They ALL seem expensive to me. LOL! We have 5 passengers so we need at least a full size car, medium SUV or a splurge of a minivan! LOL
I've tried Costco, Sam's Club, Expedia, Priceline, Hertz, Enterprise. They all seem pretty similar.
I tried searching this board but didn't quite find any threads recent or relative.
Any advice, tips or tricks are greatly appreciated! TIA!
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 8, 2022 16:25:06 GMT
Rental prices are crazy now. We’re driving to the UK in 2 weeks and the rental is 1,300€ for two weeks! I’m remembering fondly the days of $500 rentals for the same time period.
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Post by mcjunkin on Aug 8, 2022 16:56:17 GMT
Expedia is who I have used the last couple times. You can compare all the company rates at once and pick from there.
And, believe it or not, rates are actually WAAAYYYYY down from this same time last year.
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 8, 2022 17:01:55 GMT
I usually use Travelocity for car rentals and I feel like I usually go with Budget. I did a week long car rental last month and I prepaid to save a bit of money.
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Post by ntsf on Aug 8, 2022 17:14:26 GMT
when car rentals were high, I rented a car at an enterprise office about 5 miles from the airport. I took an uber car to enterprise, and did the reverse when I returned. If you are traveling with someone, and lots of luggage, you could have one wait at the airport, and have one go off the airport to get the car. saved myself $500.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 8, 2022 17:26:43 GMT
Expedia is who I have used the last couple times. You can compare all the company rates at once and pick from there. And, believe it or not, rates are actually WAAAYYYYY down from this same time last year.
NO WAY!?!  |
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Aug 8, 2022 17:26:45 GMT
I've had luck with Hotwire.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 8, 2022 17:38:50 GMT
when car rentals were high, I rented a car at an enterprise office about 5 miles from the airport. I took an uber car to enterprise, and did the reverse when I returned. If you are traveling with someone, and lots of luggage, you could have one wait at the airport, and have one go off the airport to get the car. saved myself $500.  . I've also had luck with this method in getting the size car I need when the airport is sold out of them. |
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,699 
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Post by basketdiva on Aug 8, 2022 17:45:59 GMT
Check the amount of luggage each type of car will hold also. 5 people and 5 suitcases will be a squeeze in a full size car. Also keep in mind that Costco allows a 2nd driver at no additional cost.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 8, 2022 17:52:58 GMT
I’ve had good luck booking thru Delta via their app when I book my plane tickets. Otherwise I use Costco. In both cases, keep checking back and when the rates drop closer to your trip, book a new reservation and cancel the prior.
Last trip we saved $200 doing that. We checked while waiting for our bags at baggage claim. Booked a second reservation and canceled the first when we went to the counter to pick up our car.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 8, 2022 17:54:49 GMT
All the main car rental agencies should allow a second driver/spouse to drive for no additional charge. We use National, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise and Budget and haven’t been charged for a second driver.
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Post by malibou on Aug 8, 2022 19:04:27 GMT
Try Avis and Dollar. They both sometimes have a discount if you prepay.
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Post by mcjunkin on Aug 8, 2022 19:32:40 GMT
Expedia is who I have used the last couple times. You can compare all the company rates at once and pick from there. And, believe it or not, rates are actually WAAAYYYYY down from this same time last year.
NO WAY!?! Yep. I usually go to New Orleans with a team every summer. Last year, I wanted to fly because I have tons of miles, and priced cars. Almost $900 for the week. I drove. This year it was like $370. Big difference!! |
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Post by mcjunkin on Aug 8, 2022 19:34:28 GMT
I’ve had good luck booking thru Delta via their app when I book my plane tickets. Otherwise I use Costco. In both cases, keep checking back and when the rates drop closer to your trip, book a new reservation and cancel the prior. Last trip we saved $200 doing that. We checked while waiting for our bags at baggage claim. Booked a second reservation and canceled the first when we went to the counter to pick up our car. So odd. For my July flight, I went through Delta for my car, then found a car $150 cheaper with Expedia, so I cancelled. I do think location makes a big difference in price though. |
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 8, 2022 19:47:58 GMT
I usually use Costco but one of my friends uses turo.com and doesn't have a complaint.
It's like airbnb for vehicles. Might be worth a try - she's pretty savvy and checks things out pretty thoroughly.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,899
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Aug 8, 2022 20:33:16 GMT
All the main car rental agencies should allow a second driver/spouse to drive for no additional charge. We use National, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise and Budget and haven’t been charged for a second driver. They've always wanted to charge us which is why wr started using Costco. $15/day for an extra driver even when booking direct through the company. |
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Post by pajamamama on Aug 8, 2022 22:19:01 GMT
We just returned from a trip out to OK.
I have always rented thru National after a bad experience at a car rental counters HOURS wasted!
I joined their Emerald Club (FREE) and all rental forms are done online. NO LINE.
Once you have all your confirmation info, you can either print them or just use your phone.
We just got off the plane, DH retrieved the luggage while I went to pick out the car.
Just walked thru, the woman asked for my name and just waved me thru. When I saw none were there she
said just take whatever you like. Got in and drove off.
You can pick any car on the "emerald aisle" or upgrade for free if none are there.
We ended up with a full sized SUV since all the standard sizes were gone.
I have no idea why anyone would stand in line any longer. Safe travels!
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 8, 2022 23:40:29 GMT
I think so too. When we got to the rental terminal the line for National was non-existent. we just walked right up to the counter. The line over at the Budget counter was at least 50 people deep. I'm sure it took over an hour for most of those folks to get to the counter, there were only a few open. I wanted to tell them all to scoot over to the National counter. Hopefully there were saving big time.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 8, 2022 23:44:52 GMT
I usually use Costco but one of my friends uses turo.com and doesn't have a complaint. It's like airbnb for vehicles. Might be worth a try - she's pretty savvy and checks things out pretty thoroughly. I did run across their site ... At first glance it seems like a cool idea, but a lot of their prices for older cars are just as expensive as a big rental agency! For older cars, I would be worried if something broke down ... Would we be stranded? |
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Post by mom on Aug 9, 2022 1:04:16 GMT
Random, but this just came across my Til Tok account and thought you could try and see if it works.
https://www.tiktok.com/@moneyhoneyrachel/video/7129612179849907502
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,257
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Aug 9, 2022 1:19:48 GMT
THANKS! I made a COSTCO car reservation for a September trip in May, I just checked again and have saved $180. I planned to check in early September, but seeing this post made me check  |
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 9, 2022 1:23:26 GMT
I usually use Costco but one of my friends uses turo.com and doesn't have a complaint. It's like airbnb for vehicles. Might be worth a try - she's pretty savvy and checks things out pretty thoroughly. I did run across their site ... At first glance it seems like a cool idea, but a lot of their prices for older cars are just as expensive as a big rental agency! For older cars, I would be worried if something broke down ... Would we be stranded? Fair question - perhaps yes. |
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 9, 2022 1:28:05 GMT
Random, but this just came across my Til Tok account and thought you could try and see if it works. https://www.tiktok.com/@moneyhoneyrachel/video/7129612179849907502 Hmmmmmm ... Thanks for the info! The hack does work! At least up until you have to pay ... Then, I got cold feet and needed to learn about cancellation options and am hesitant to pay up front! LOL! But it is about HALF of what anything else has been. Anyone else have experience with this? |
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 9, 2022 1:29:10 GMT
THANKS! I made a COSTCO car reservation for a September trip in May, I just checked again and have saved $180. I planned to check in early September, but seeing this post made me check Nice! I plan to check once a week or so up until our trip too. |
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Post by buddysmom on Aug 9, 2022 1:37:50 GMT
Do you or any of the five work for a large-ish company? Rental cars are so much cheaper with corporate discount codes. Just make sure that the person that the reservation is under also uses their credit card (not one of the other passengers) to make sure there are no issues with insurance.
Example- major rental car company ( appears that Hertz doesn’t participate) was about $900 with no discount, $600 from Costco and $250 with the corporate discount. This was before taxes, etc. ( same exact car, dates, extras, etc)
I’m traveling with both my kids. The one who works for the “giant” company got a slightly smaller discount than the one who works for a much smaller company. So it’s not just necessarily the huge, well-known that gets the better price.
And you don’t have to pay in advance or give any credit card info.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 9, 2022 1:48:42 GMT
The other advantage to Costco is if you have the executive membership and use their Visa to book you’ll ultimately save about another 5% due to the rebates.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 9, 2022 1:52:47 GMT
Do you or any of the five work for a large-ish company? Rental cars are so much cheaper with corporate discount codes. Just make sure that the person that the reservation is under also uses their credit card (not one of the other passengers) to make sure there are no issues with insurance. Example- major rental car company ( appears that Hertz doesn’t participate) was about $900 with no discount, $600 from Costco and $250 with the corporate discount. This was before taxes, etc. ( same exact car, dates, extras, etc) I’m traveling with both my kids. The one who works for the “giant” company got a slightly smaller discount than the one who works for a much smaller company. So it’s not just necessarily the huge, well-known that gets the better price. And you don’t have to pay in advance or give any credit card info. Thank you for the idea ... DH and I are both employed by small businesses and the other three passengers are our older teen kids and and one of their friends. |
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Aug 9, 2022 5:02:21 GMT
Costco has sucked for me lately. We have gotten much better deals by clicking the link that comes with our airline confirmation.
I just saw a car rental hack on Instagram that seemed worth trying. Let me see if I can find it.
ETA-it’s the same lady mentioned above
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Post by christine58 on Aug 9, 2022 10:50:03 GMT
Renting off site from an airport is always cheaper.
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Post by Merge on Aug 9, 2022 12:46:20 GMT
Doesn’t help you for this trip, but if you haven’t already, pick one of the major companies and sign up for their loyalty program. Make sure you use them every time you travel. We get discounted rates through Hertz for being gold members.
Also, if it’s offered, we’ve always rented the “manager’s special,” which means you take whatever car is available for a cheaper rate. It’s almost always the bigger cars available because most people rent the smaller, cheaper cars. It’s a gamble, but if you’re willing to be flexible on how much space you have, we’ve always been able to make it work.
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. I've also had luck with this method in getting the size car I need when the airport is sold out of them. 
