Rental Car USA

[psi999]

I am on the east coast USA at present and hired thru Argus (National supplied car) without any problems - usual try to upsell additional insurance as mentioned above upon car collection but declined offer - I had the choice of selecting a vehicle from those in rental category from the lot - good selection of relatively new cars . Have hired a car on the west coast USA next week also booked via Argus (Dollar will be supplier).So far so good.

I had a bit of luck recently as well (i only ever book cheapest car on the lot).

Las vegas (LAS) - Dodge Challenger (Alamo)
San Francisco (SFO) - Chevrolet Camaro (Alamo)

Not a bad deal for $30AUD day all inclusive

 

[BAM1748]

The first time I visited the US I was under 21 and rented using Avis, booked direct with pick up at LAX. They were most helpful and as I didn't have a credit card they asked for a $100 cash refundable deposit.

These days I mostly use Alamo.

As an Australian the CDW is maditory. Even if you take all the insurances on offer you basically still have no cover if the rental firm pushes it which I why I use a 'known' company. A lawyer friend once did read the fine print and concluded the was little to no cover anyway.

Having said the above, I did once rent a car without producing a license :shock: (left it back in Sydney) but they accepted my passport and insisted I take all the insurance on offer which wasn't worth arguing about on the first day of a month long road trip.

I would suggest you hire a car, $700 or $350 per week is pretty good and there is lots more to see if you have an auto.

Matt

 

[DeKa]

The disadvantage of Argus IMHO is you do not know the rental company before the booking is made.

Every time I've rented using Argus their site has told me who the rental company is before finalizing. Holiday Autos on the otherhand don't tell you.

 

[cove]

Argus has worked ok for us in California and so far it has channeled thru Dollar,Alamo and National and I take no extras to the Gold booking. I am still holding Hertz status but it has lost it's luster if it is 10 bucks or more a day extra and I am hiring for a month.

 

[Point Hunter]

Anybody have ideas about how to avoid/get out of one way drop fees? $300 just for a one way drop fee is proving to be a real disincentive.

The added logistical challenges of having to return hire cars back to their origin simply to avoid the drop fee are coughbersome.

 

[cove]

Could you go the other way? If there is a drop charge the way you are considering you should achieve a great price going the other way!

 

[Point Hunter]

Could you go the other way? If there is a drop charge the way you are considering you should achieve a great price going the other way!

I imagine it will be the same in reverse. Pick up at location x and return to y, drop fee applies regardless of where x and y are...

 

[BAM1748]

Anybody have ideas about how to avoid/get out of one way drop fees? $300 just for a one way drop fee is proving to be a real disincentive.

The added logistical challenges of having to return hire cars back to their origin simply to avoid the drop fee are coughbersome.

Hard to do, but what are the cities involved?

 

[trooper]

Some companies (cheapcarrentals.com IIRC) do not charge drop off fees on one ways within CA or between certain states.. typically NV, AZ, CA...

Worth checking!

 

[auriga]

Just a related question.

For USA rentals, when LDW is included in the rental rates, does this mean there is no need to check the vehicle for scratches, etc?

 

[kristophe]

I used Alamo when I was in the USA, and they were cheap. A friend who worked for a car rental agency in Aus said they had a bad rep for stinging you for pre-existing scratches, so I took photos of minor defects and dings prior to collecting my car, but when I returned the cars (did two rentals at different times), they seemed pretty dis-interested.

I really rate Alamo, and found their upgrade to a Jeep on my cheap low-end SUV was nice for my big drive back between Vegas and LA with a 5 suit cases full of shopping

 

[Skyring]

With our upcoming US trip, we are going to hire a car from LAS and drive through to SFO over a period of 13-14 days.

After searching the forum, netflights.com seems to have pretty decent deals, however all the threads I could find on using them were a couple years old.

Anyone used them recently?

That's a lot of time to drive a short distance. Have fun!

I used Dollar (via Netflights) last April, hiring a van for five weeks. This is the fifth time I've used Netflights, and I love their rates and selection. It's a little odd, being an Australian, paying in GBP for a car in the USA, but it works. They send you an email with a voucher which you print and handover to the rental people, who swop it for a set of keys.

My last trip was with three other drivers, two of whom were under 25 (one by only a few days). The underage surcharge would have effectively doubled the cost of the rental, so I didn't bother to sign the two young'uns up - just myself and the oldest. By and large, the youngsters only drove on the interstates to give me a rest and when we got close to a big city we'd swap drivers. This is probably not an option for you...

 

[cymbolz]

Last year I hired cars a few times during my USA visit.

Once was direct with Alamo. They had one of the best rates of the majors, easily. And included all the necessaries (like insurances). I booked on the site as an Aussie, so the price included those insurances (I understand that if you're a US citizen then it's likely your own personal car insurance policy has some coverage for hire cars so they don't offer those insurances by default).

I also used carhire3000 (carhire3000.com) three times. They don't tell you who the company is until you've committed/paid. Twice was Dollar, other was Alamo (again). Price was in GBP but I used 28 degrees credit card for payment.

Looks like there is a surcharge for younger drivers, or they have some "packages" which includes young drivers. So you'll be paying extra either way, but at least it's in front of you. Make sure you check the T&Cs for what is included/allowed and include the insurances (CDW etc...pls ask if you want to understand what these are).

At the counter (with the carhire3000 voucher) they *always* try to upsell. And might try to sell something you've already paid for (like some sort of road side assist). Be aware. And they'll be ****ty if you don't buy, but too bad for them. I did upgrade to a larger vehicel a few times (ok, I got sucked in).

And scratches etc? I couldn't give a stuff. I had CDW so understand I was covered (please someone correct me if I'm wrong). My theory is, if there's a scratch and they don't like it, I'll take the car and drive it into a wall and not be liable. Same with break downs when they tried to sell me some coverage for towing (claiming otherwise it'd cost me $20 per mile). If it breaks down, I'll hitch hike / bus and give them the co-ordinates where the car is so they can go get it. Maybe I'm a bit reckless

 

[trooper]

Have never had a problem with "return inspections" in the USA... as long as all the panels are there they seem to sign you off!! (OK.. small exaggeration)

My habit is to run the car through some form of wash before returning... driving in with an obviously CLEAN car sems to work well....

OT - I was pleased to see a little photo sheet at AVIS (SYD) when I picked up my last domestic rental... It showed minor scatches/glass chip damage AND boot lid marks from poorly handled luggge.. and pointed out that those types of damage WERE considered fair wear and tear..

I hadn't seen that before (in Oz)... very pleased!

 

[MadFairlane]

Booked the cars, one in Orlando (just a std midsize) and a Luxury for the LAS to SFO section... Both through a reputable online company.

Both booked through to Dollar, so I guess we'll just wait and see what happens.

 

[PLANT]

I used this mob: Cheap car hire UK, Europe & worldwide from Novacarhire
Before and while on the road.
Have free phone contact number which helped confirm booking questions.
They hooked me up with ALAMO in LA.

Found that ALAMO still asked if I wanted insurance. cough GPS...outdated and not clear as mobile phone apps!
They add costs then take it off on return.
Watch ALAMO don't included paying for fuel tank as I had to get it removed, but still incurred TAX payment(When you collect car)
Banged side mirror on narrow street(maybe a scratch) but they did not notice...I pointed out issues before I left....no concerns noted on return of car.
Best Flight hostie tip for driving KEEP YOUR PASSENGER IN THE "GUTTER"......Helps!

 

[Duker]

Have never found a travel insurance policy here that covers anything other than the excess....

So.. I never rent a car in the USA without CDW/LDW..

The OP seems to be looking at US rental sites (attracted by the apparently cheap daily rates we have all heard about?) but then has to add the awful daily rates of CDW...and the under 25 surcharge... Even so...

As harvyk says... that's only $50 a day... I usually pay between 30 and 40 all in (booking through mainly europe based consolidators who offer all inclusive rates) ... and I'm well over 25 so I too would consider that a good deal given the surcharges often applied to those under 25, let alone under 21!!

Am I right in saying CDW only covers you for damage to the rental car itself? What about damage to another vehicle (third party liability)? Is that something you also purchase?

 

[DeKa]

Am I right in saying CDW only covers you for damage to the rental car itself? What about damage to another vehicle (third party liability)? Is that something you also purchase?

Yes it is. Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI).

 

[BAM1748]

I used Alamo when I was in the USA, and they were cheap. A friend who worked for a car rental agency in Aus said they had a bad rep for stinging you for pre-existing scratches, so I took photos of minor defects and dings prior to collecting my car, but when I returned the cars (did two rentals at different times), they seemed pretty dis-interested.

I really rate Alamo, and found their upgrade to a Jeep on my cheap low-end SUV was nice for my big drive back between Vegas and LA with a 5 suit cases full of shopping

Have used Alamo many times, never had problems and found the complete opposite to your friend. They even replaced a vehicle after I did some under car damage and knocked out an engine mount out the back of Utah - no charge. I think you friend is wrong on Alamo.

Matt

 

[Duker]

Yes it is. Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI).

It's not covered by travel insurance?