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McNoob |
I don't fly. I am planning to drive to Florida and back, over the course of 18 days after the new year. I am looking into getting a rental car for that trip. I will be staying with my brother for the duration. This is the total price I am seeing through Expedia for Budget car rental including taxes, fees, and Insurance. Midsize SUV Toyota Rav4 or similar Collision Damage Plan payable today $190.00 Due at car rental counter $1,042.21 Total $1,232.21 I would consider getting a Costco "Executive Membership" for $130 if it was close to a wash. I couldn't get far enough through the process to see what the final cost would be. It looked like it was about $843 before taxes, fees, and insurance though. I don't travel much so any help/pointers would be appreciated. Thanks! "We've done four already, but now we're steady..." | ||
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Member |
Doesn't sound too out of line. I paid $989 total for an econobox in Europe for 22 days this past summer. My Amex provides the insurance. So if you back out that $190 you're paying for insurance and knock off the four days less you're using than I did, it sounds just about right. | |||
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| Looking at life thru a windshield  |
Used to travel a lot, US and Overseas, that sounds about right. Ditto the Credit Card coverage using AMEX or another type of CC. I actually worked for Budget years ago, here is something to remember, never and I say never rent from an airport location they always have add on fees. Cheaper to take a taxi or Uber to a City location and save yourself the airport fees. Those really add up on a longer rental. And make sure there is unlimited mileage on the contract. Also do a walk around with your phone and film the entire car, save the video, and make sure any damage is noted on form with closeup. If you think you can make do with a compact book that, they are usually always gone first and then you get upgraded. Not a 100 percent guarantee but 9 times out of 10 I have always gotten a class or two bigger. | |||
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Fighting the good fight |
Yep. That's in line with my recent midsize SUV rental from Enterprise. Worked out to almost exactly $50/day after fees and tax. (I didn't get any additional collision insurance.) | |||
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| In the yahd, not too fah from the cah  |
Sounds like a good deal for 18 days. If you have an Amex card you can sign up for their premium rental protection where its only I believe $20 for the entire rental duration. | |||
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| Member |
If you have insurance { collision } coverage on your current vehicle, would it also cover a rental ? Might call your agent and ask, could save you a few bucks. Did that with our Allstate ins. a few times in the past. | |||
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goodheart |
Costco Travel shows me $1260 for a RAV4 from Jan 6 to 25 picking up from MPLS Airport. If I pick up from an off-airport location in St. Paul, Budget shows a price of $821. I had no idea the difference would be so great.
I have a question for you: the airport locations seem to be owned by the rental car company; I have the impression that at least some of the off-airport facilities are franchises. An attempt to rent a car at one of these Avis facilities made it appear to be harder to deal with and much fussier. Was this an unusual experience? _________________________ “Remember, remember the fifth of November!" | |||
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| Just for the hell of it  |
Costco is good to go for renting through. Check your insurance. Mine will cover a rental car. Also as others have said some credit cards will also. We used the insurance on a Chase credit card when a truck threw up a rock and cracked a windshield. We initially had to pay the car rental company but the card did reimburse us. _____________________________________ Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. Jack Kerouac | |||
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| If you see me running try to keep up  |
I rented a car through Costco for 12 days. It was about $450 dollars. The price varies, earlier in the year it was much higher but I checked about once a month. About 3 months out I saw that low price and reserved it. Since it is thanksgiving week I thought it was a really good rate. I could not find a lower price through any other discount. It’s a Toyota Camry XLE and I’m getting about 38 mpg so I am pleased. | |||
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| Looking at life thru a windshield |
I know when I worked at Atlanta Budget, Avis was still a separate entity. Atlanta Airport and city locations were all owned by one person, I believe it is all corporate now. Back then we had our own system and call center and if someone rented thru corporate it would then connect to our call center and yes it caused problems but this was like 30 years ago. Airports always have extra fees and I have never seen it not to be the case. | |||
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Casuistic Thinker and Daoist |
It varies quite a bit between airports. My shooting buddy and I will often get a rental when driving to out of town matches. Since he was driving, he was responsible to book a rental car. He most often found the lowest prices out at the airport (SMF)...but then we'd have to drive then to pickup the car the day before and than take an extra car to drop off after the trip so we could drive home (40 mins each way). I finally convinced him to compare the total cost, including fees, it what it would cost closer (10 mins) to home. The only advantage of renting from the airport was that they weren't closed on the weekends. When I fly into smaller reginal airports, (MTJ, GJT) there often isn't much choice, because there's nothing nearby, except to rent at the airport...but there airport charges aren't bad (<$100) No, Daoism isn't a religion | |||
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Itchy was taken |
Overall, not a bad deal. I would also look at Sixt for a rental, newer in the market but coming on strong. Also, check to see if your credit card covers insurance and consequential damages. Mine does and USAA provides some rental coverage too. I'm stuck with Avis for the time being due to a large Corp. discount. _________________ This space left intentionally blank. | |||
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| McNoob |
I won't be picking up from an airport. Rochester will be my pickup/drop-off. I am going to check my auto insurance to see what I have for coverage there. Might look more into Costco to see what a final price would be. I could drive my own vehicle, but if something happens either breakdown or accident I don't want my vehicle stuck out of state for repairs. Am I correct in thinking if something happens I can pretty much get a replacement rental? Assuming I am relatively close to another car rental location, and I am not seriously injured. Thanks for all the info!This message has been edited. Last edited by: xantom, "We've done four already, but now we're steady..." | |||
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thin skin can't win |
In many cases it will cover the repairs. What it almost never covers is the assessment for lost revenue for every single day out of commission the rental company will come after as well as diminished value. Not to mention the disputes over repair costs and location. As a previous very frequent traveler, with two significant claims for damages (hit and run / massive hail) I’d NEVER forego the LDW coverage without a credit card in place that covered. You may think it’s a few hundred dollar gamble but it is many thousands. Never give your personal coverage details to them. I made this mistake when younger on that hit and run and it got messy. They get really insistent when filing damage report. My answer; “Why would I have insurance? I’m only driving this rental?” You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02 | |||
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| If you see me running try to keep up |
FYI I have rental car insurance through my car insturace carrier but if you reserve and pay through Amex, most of their cards cover it (but Costco does not take Amex). For this rental I opted for the Costco insurance. It was $60 for the 12 day rental period. I have never needed it, but it is worth it just in case. | |||
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| Made from a different mold  |
Try looking at the local Toyota dealer to see if they have a rental program. I do this when I need to go on longer trips out of state and don't feel like taking my vehicle. Rent A Toyota Link ___________________________ No thanks, I've already got a penguin. | |||
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Member |
My insurance covers me on a rental car so I never pay the additional fee at the rental agency. Call your carrier to confirm your coverage. _____________________ Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you. | |||
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| Technically Adaptive |
I was going to mention that some dealers rent cars, looked into it before posting and the ones around here charge over a certain milage. If you can rent from a dealer with unlimited miles it's worth looking into. | |||
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| Member |
It's the airports taxes that drive the price up. Here at FLL the rental car tax is around $12-15 per day. | |||
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Member |
1) Flying --not your mode of transportation 2) Minn to Florida is 2 days down by car, 2 days back. 2 weeks in Florida with your brother is what you are describing. 3) Train to Florida. You can pick up Amtrack in Chicago and take the train to Florida. I would advise a sleeper car--offsets the price of meals/hotel room. | |||
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