USA Car Rental Fees at collection

[daturtle]

The whole rental situation in the USA is confusing me no end. Huge varience in prices and what is included and what isn't. I'm most likely going to book through Argus because of their all inclusive insurance, but I'm wondering if I will need to fork out at the airport when I pick up the car as well?

Thanks

 

[serfty]

The whole rental situation in the USA is confusing me no end. Huge varience in prices and what is included and what isn't. I'm most likely going to book through Argus because of their all inclusive insurance, but I'm wondering if I will need to fork out at the airport when I pick up the car as well?

Thanks

Expectthem to try to bill you for anything and everything they think they can get away with, including "taxes" you may never had heard of before and other things that are already included in the rate you paid Argus.

Always take a printed copy of all inclusions at the time of booking and any other supportive documentation.

I even had them bill me at double the rate for a full tank of Gas as "they do that for the European rentals" - I did get that refunded.

 

[daturtle]

So basically I need to familiarise myself with the complete list of taxes etc they can charge then compare that to my rental agreement and be vigilant. Did you have to pay anything extra at pick up though?

 

[BAM1748]

I've used alamo three time this week, booked them each direct, LA, then Mexico and back in LA now. They include collision damage waiver fee if you note you're an Australian.

just remember, they are all about the up sell and the sticker price you see is never the price you pay because they exclude taxes from it.

the other thing to note is no matter how much insurance you take out there are 'out' clauses all over the place.

As a side, re the Mexico hire. You know how when you hire a car they have a little car drawing and you mark all the existing damage in the before driving out. Well after the rental agent and myself did the walk around every panel had damage. They were. Also very careful to check the spare tyre when I returned to make sure I hadn't swapped it out with a dud.

matt

 

[lovestotravel]

Personally I'd book directly with the rental car company, and I am not a fan of using a third party.

But that's just me

As for your question, expect them to try to add on heaps of extra charges/fees

 

[daturtle]

Know where they keep a list?

 

[Paddy55]

US Rental car companies are notorious for a seemingly endless supply of add-ons you have to have!
The more comprehensive the Agreement you purchase, the more determined they seem to be to extra extra $$$ on pickup.

Argus usually works OK in US

I'm booking directly with Avis in Europe in June just to see if their experience is different

 

[auriga]

Did two car rentals in the US a few months ago. Both were booked and prepaid through netflights, one with Dollar, and one with Thrifty. I did not experience any problems at all. Just offered some additional insurance ( I think it was roadside assistance) which I declined. There was never mention of any extra taxes. Didn't pay anything extra at all.

 

[neon_crossing]

I spent 8 weeks in the US about 6 months ago and hired a car probably 5 times. I used Avis UK website to book everything inclusive. Usually for the same price as the USA Avis website but obviously the USA price doesn't include insurance. There are plenty of discount codes that work as well. I recommend the US Airways Dividend Miles website Avis code. Seems to work well. I couldn't recommend Avis higher, sure they'll try to get you to upgrade every now and again but I had lots of free upgrades as well. Good luck!

 

[drron]

I use Avis as I like their Preferred service.Have booked through their UK site which is cheaper,all inclusive and now with several rentals in the States the only time I had a problem-which was just a need to go to the desk instead of straight to a car- was when I got a new CC between booking and the actual date of rental.Upgraded at least half the time and as you go straight to the car never an upsell.

 

[Missy_]

I use Avis as I like their Preferred service.Have booked through their UK site which is cheaper,all inclusive and now with several rentals in the States the only time I had a problem-which was just a need to go to the desk instead of straight to a car- was when I got a new CC between booking and the actual date of rental.Upgraded at least half the time and as you go straight to the car never an upsell.

Hi I first time poster I have been reading the many posts re USA hire and booking through uk sites. I am looking at thrifty which is coming in so much cheaper, it allows me to declare my country of residence when searching for quotes. I am just curious, when we arrive to collect the car if the 'residence' issue will be a problem, is it ever questioned? Has insurance ever been declined ( if a claim was necessary ) when using this method of booking? ..thanks drron..you posts in this forum have assisted me greatly, I'm just concerned on these two last issues before we leave in 3 weeks.