USA Rental Companies - Best value

[AnnaB]

Still about $400 more expensive then through other sources... Will wait and see what happens. Might book a car I can cancel in the meantime and then just wait and see what I do

 

[PLANT]

Carrentals.com get a price and then ring 1800 number to get them to beat it!
Do in both American and au dollars..... US or pound I think is cheaper with 28 degrees conversion.

 

[Buzzard]

Interesting thread. Might be booking something late this year depending on how +1 wants to travel around the US.

 

[fairbasa]

I did a fair bit of research before my last trip to the US, I also found the co.uk or .ie (depending on currency at the time) sites for Avis and Hertz to be the most competitive and include insurance. I never found an instance where the US or AU sites beat them out despite the numerous discount codes I tried.

I also found there's little rhyme or reason to the pricing, you need to do the laborious task of checking each CDP/AWD against your specific hire location and dates. There's some good lists of discount codes over at Flyertalk. You just need to understand exactly what each code is for and balance your risk appetite against your frugality

 

[NoName]

Seeing as this thread has been revived I will jump on and ask a question. Does anyone have any experience renting a proper off-road vehicle in the US? So not your typical full sized SUV or suburban 4WD but one suitable for driving on unsealed, rocky, very slow going roads that would likely cause damage to a normal vehicle. Any info would be great - cost, companies etc. Would be looking to rent out of LAS, LAX or maybe SFO if I had to.

 

[fairbasa]

Seeing as this thread has been revived I will jump on and ask a question. Does anyone have any experience renting a proper off-road vehicle in the US? So not your typical full sized SUV or suburban 4WD but one suitable for driving on unsealed roads that would likely cause damage to a normal vehicle. Any info would be great - cost, companies etc. Would be looking to rent out of LAS, LAX or maybe SFO if I had to.

Sorry, I don't have any specific experience NoName. But I suggest you read the contract VERY carefully before doing so. All major rental agencies write into their contract that vehicles are not to be used off sealed roads (even the mine-spec 4wd utes with off-road tires we used to hire for work had signs in the vehicles saying not for off-road use despite the rental agency knowing where they were going was off-road). They're more than happy to hire to you but will sting you relentlessly if the vehicle is damaged/excessively dirty.

 

[prozac]

Seeing as this thread has been revived I will jump on and ask a question. Does anyone have any experience renting a proper off-road vehicle in the US? So not your typical full sized SUV or suburban 4WD but one suitable for driving on unsealed, rocky, very slow going roads that would likely cause damage to a normal vehicle. Any info would be great - cost, companies etc. Would be looking to rent out of LAS, LAX or maybe SFO if I had to.

I would suggest contacting expedition builder GXV directly to see if they can put you in touch with someone who is willing to do this, perhaps an owner not using their vehicle at that time - Why GXV is a Good Choice for an Expedition Vehicle? | Global Expedition Vehicles

 

[NoName]

Sorry, I don't have any specific experience NoName. But I suggest you read the contract VERY carefully before doing so. All major rental agencies write into their contract that vehicles are not to be used off sealed roads (even the mine-spec 4wd utes with off-road tires we used to hire for work had signs in the vehicles saying not for off-road use despite the rental agency knowing where they were going was off-road). They're more than happy to hire to you but will sting you relentlessly if the vehicle is damaged/excessively dirty.

Yep this is basically what I have found I'm up against in my admittedly limited research so far. I haven't actually found a suitable vehicle yet anyway but I'm aware of the restrictions on driving off road in the agreements. So obviously that needs to be a requirement as well for me.

If it helps I will be looking to drive some of the roads in Death Valley national park. Specifically from furnace creek to Ubehebe crater (sealed) to racetrack playa (unsealed but could probably get away with a full sized SUV) and then from racetrack playa down to CA190 (includes sections where proper 4WD vehicle is required.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/maps.htm

 

[NoName]

I would suggest contacting expedition builder GXV directly to see if they can put you in touch with someone who is willing to do this, perhaps an owner not using their vehicle at that time - Why GXV is a Good Choice for an Expedition Vehicle? | Global Expedition Vehicles

Thanks will take a look.

 

[prozac]

Thanks will take a look.

Let us know how you get on?

 

[ozjuice]

Slightly off topic but worth a mention i think. I booked a Hertz rental in November for 16 days @$1430 AUD for a trip in May this year. Cancelled yesterday and re-booked same car and saved $300 AUD. Prices seem to have dropped a lot. I pretty much always use Hertz as i get good treatment.

 

[andye]

I found some good prices on the europcar.co.uk site recently
Seem to use Advantage at LAX which is a bit out of the way in Inglewood
Price too good to turn down so will feedback on the experience at end of April

 

[NoName]

Seeing as this thread has been revived I will jump on and ask a question. Does anyone have any experience renting a proper off-road vehicle in the US? So not your typical full sized SUV or suburban 4WD but one suitable for driving on unsealed, rocky, very slow going roads that would likely cause damage to a normal vehicle. Any info would be great - cost, companies etc. Would be looking to rent out of LAS, LAX or maybe SFO if I had to.

Hadn't looked at this for a while until I ended up finding a company the other day. Actually ended up finding it through a pretty simple search which I probably should have tried earlier.

Farabee Rentals & Tours | Death Valley and Colorado!

Expensive at USD195 for an 8am-4pm rental but located in Death Valley National Park which would actually suit perfectly. Racetrack Playa is now very much on the next itinerary!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racetrack_Playa

 

[raleyoz]

Sorry no help here , never done it

 

[AnnaB]

I just made a booking through Americacarrental. Got a Hyundai SantaFe from Thrifty, one way rental including SLI, UMP, CDW etc for about $1230 AUD

Then the fine print came with the voucher... "estimated taxes and fees to be paid at the rental counter". I thought that was all included in the rental? Anyone can shine a light on this?
This is my first rental in the US and I feel so lost...

 

[raleyoz]

RoseAnna, that on them all i cant remember every paying anymore once i drop off the car. i always get the receipt and it is $0. i use thirift through Americacarrental a lot

what state are you renting to & from?

 

[AnnaB]

RoseAnna, that on them all i cant remember every paying anymore once i drop off the car. i always get the receipt and it is $0. i use thirift through Americacarrental a lot

what state are you renting to & from?

Hello Raleyoz,
I am renting from CA to NV. Was initially looking at Alamo, but Thrifty had additional UMP included. I did have a look at the other voucher and it says estimated $0 taxes and fees. I just didnt want a surprise of 12% or something when I get there.

How is Thrifty at LAX? Anything I need to know or think about? Our rental is for a Monday arvo, perhaps that was bad timing

 

[jgm]

I'm just back from the US. I rented through carflexi.com. 18 days for US $453 (came to just over $500 when the extra airport charges etc were added). I had a GMC Yukon 4WD, sat nav (Herz branded), just over 3K on the clock supplied by Dollar at LAX. I usually hire something smaller, but as this was cheaper and I could fit the skis in the car, I couldn't resist. The heated seats and steering wheel were a real bonus in the snow, and the 4WD with the included M+S tyres meant we didn't have to fit chains even in the huge dumps we had in the 2 weeks.

 

[raleyoz]

Thrifty are fine, you will head out to the purple zone at LAX and catch the thrifty bus , i think they share with Dollar. The Bus can be a little slow coming around, but should be no longer than 15 mins. the shuttle will take 5-10 mins to get to the Thrifty centre. and your off. I still use Americacarrental.com exclusively, they are great, . just be aware that the actual car Companies (all of them) will try and get you to upgrade the insurance, add breakdown service, sell you a toll pass etc. you dont need the toll pass and the others are up to you i never get any extras.
i have had 2 rental insurance claims in 2 years and never had any issues or costs.
happy to help with anything further in the region i know the area and the road you are heading really well

 

[AnnaB]

Thrifty are fine, you will head out to the purple zone at LAX and catch the thrifty bus , i think they share with Dollar. The Bus can be a little slow coming around, but should be no longer than 15 mins. the shuttle will take 5-10 mins to get to the Thrifty centre. and your off. I still use Americacarrental.com exclusively, they are great, . just be aware that the actual car Companies (all of them) will try and get you to upgrade the insurance, add breakdown service, sell you a toll pass etc. you dont need the toll pass and the others are up to you i never get any extras.
i have had 2 rental insurance claims in 2 years and never had any issues or costs.
happy to help with anything further in the region i know the area and the road you are heading really well

Perfect, thank you for the help. I have only ever rented in Europe and Australia before so this is all new to me. Guess when I am in the car, things will just be the same