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Started By
Message
How do rental cars work?
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:54 pm
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:54 pm
I've never taken a rental car in my life.
If I wanted to take a rental car ~3,000 miles in about 10 days, what would be the best deal available to me (assuming rental and dropoff at the same place)? I have my own car, but I already put a ton of miles on it as it is and would like to save the mileage if there are deals out there.
I've heard of people renting cars for as little as $15-20/day, but I can't image this being with unlimited mileage. Then again, I really have no idea how such things work...
If I wanted to take a rental car ~3,000 miles in about 10 days, what would be the best deal available to me (assuming rental and dropoff at the same place)? I have my own car, but I already put a ton of miles on it as it is and would like to save the mileage if there are deals out there.
I've heard of people renting cars for as little as $15-20/day, but I can't image this being with unlimited mileage. Then again, I really have no idea how such things work...
30
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:56 pm to zacata88
Basically like other cars
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:57 pm to zacata88
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:57 pm to zacata88
If you goto a rental website, which clearly it doesn't seem you have... You can get a price much like a hotel or flight and it will tell you the costs you are looking at for unlimited miles or the flat rate for the vehicle and then the mileage, insurance, etc.
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:58 pm to zacata88
quote:
how do rental cars work?
The same as non-rental cars. Insert the key in the ignition, turn, and put into "R" or "D", depending on whether you want to go forward or backward. The large wheel in front of the driver seat is for turning the car left or right. The pedals are for moving and stopping.
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:58 pm to zacata88
Check hotwire.com
Posted on 4/28/15 at 11:59 pm to zacata88
$10 x $40-$50/day (after fees) + $300 in gas = $700-$800 for your trip.
Not sure what else to talk about you already explained the process just fine. Renting a car ain't rocket science.
Not sure what else to talk about you already explained the process just fine. Renting a car ain't rocket science.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 12:00 am to zacata88
Be careful though, they put tracking devices on the cars. If you go off of a road or go somewhere that seems unusual, they will cut your car off and you'll be stuck there. Could be risky when traveling 3,000 miles.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 12:03 am to zacata88
Make sure you read the fine print. You don't want to rent the car and drive 1000 miles, return it and your allotment of miles were only 200. Also, if you have an AMEX credit card, I suggest you charge it to the card because they have a great car rental loss and damage insurance, I speak from experience.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 12:26 am to zacata88
Go to Expedia or one of the travel sites and enter the dates you want as well as drop off and pick up locations. Find the best rate with unlimited mileage. After I find the best rate I go to that companies direct website and book directly throught them. The price is sometimes cheaper and you don't have to worry about Expedia mucking it up.
I have talked a car from Washington DC to Seattle and from Seattle to Dallas. You get dinged sometimes by returning to a different spot than your pick up but to me it's worth it to not drive your rig that kind of mileage.
I have talked a car from Washington DC to Seattle and from Seattle to Dallas. You get dinged sometimes by returning to a different spot than your pick up but to me it's worth it to not drive your rig that kind of mileage.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 12:39 am to zacata88
Book online with one of the reputable companies: National, Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Budget, or Hertz.
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, and Budget all have local offices to rent from. They are all usually competitive and will offer local specials. Some of the specials may have a per-mile charge. Avoid these and look for an unlimited option.
Airport locations can have super low rates when inventory is high. But they have additional taxes/airport fees that local companies won't.
The company will try to sell you coverage on the vehicle. Some will argue that you should buy their coverage but my personal belief is just to skip it and use your own auto policy provided it covers rentals.
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, and Budget all have local offices to rent from. They are all usually competitive and will offer local specials. Some of the specials may have a per-mile charge. Avoid these and look for an unlimited option.
Airport locations can have super low rates when inventory is high. But they have additional taxes/airport fees that local companies won't.
The company will try to sell you coverage on the vehicle. Some will argue that you should buy their coverage but my personal belief is just to skip it and use your own auto policy provided it covers rentals.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 12:42 am to zacata88
quote:
Be careful though, they put tracking devices on the cars. If you go off of a road or go somewhere that seems unusual, they will cut your car off and you'll be stuck there. Could be risky when traveling 3,000 miles.
This.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 1:03 am to GeorgeTheGreek
quote:
This
I've never heard of anyone's vehicle being shut down for traveling within the guidelines of the rental agreement.
Most don't want your car going to Mexico and some franchise locations have restrictions on only taking the vehicle to bordering states. This is so if there is a breakdown, the company that owns the vehicle can get it back easily. The franchise locations end up with corporate vehicles too so it's not an issue if you just tell them ahead of time.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 1:24 am to zacata88
Definitely tell them what states you will be traveling through. If something happens (wreck, broken down car, ticket) and you are somewhere you did not tell them you would be going, they could be clowns of the arse and try to say you were in contract violation.
Sounds ridiculous, but in the 3 years I worked at Enterprise (about 15 years ago- flame away), I saw my regional admin office screw people a few times on this. Same advice for anyone else who might drive the car. Let them know.
For rates- how far ahead would you be able to place the reservation? a few weeks? less than a week? Depending on the size of the car you want, you should be able to get a decent weekly rate ($200 or so for mid-size) and possibly stack on a weekend special at the beginning or end of it (if the days line up obviously).
ETA: check the airport and non-airport locations for the best rate.
TLDR- tell them where you are going and if anyone else might be driving the car. book in advance.
Sounds ridiculous, but in the 3 years I worked at Enterprise (about 15 years ago- flame away), I saw my regional admin office screw people a few times on this. Same advice for anyone else who might drive the car. Let them know.
For rates- how far ahead would you be able to place the reservation? a few weeks? less than a week? Depending on the size of the car you want, you should be able to get a decent weekly rate ($200 or so for mid-size) and possibly stack on a weekend special at the beginning or end of it (if the days line up obviously).
ETA: check the airport and non-airport locations for the best rate.
TLDR- tell them where you are going and if anyone else might be driving the car. book in advance.
This post was edited on 4/29/15 at 1:28 am
Posted on 4/29/15 at 2:32 am to lurkmode
Carrentals.com will shop the best price at every place available. I usually get them for about 18-20 bucks a day after all the fees but sometimes it's less. Took one to Yellowstone last year and kept it an extra week so the mileage wasn't suspicious and they never said anything or cut the car off.
Posted on 4/29/15 at 4:27 am to zacata88
Delete.
This post was edited on 4/29/15 at 4:29 am
Posted on 4/29/15 at 4:34 am to Golfer
quote:
The company will try to sell you coverage on the vehicle. Some will argue that you should buy their coverage but my personal belief is just to skip it and use your own auto policy provided it covers rentals.
Good advice. Your own policy normally covers a temporary substitute vehicle. In addition, many credit cards like American Express include some form of collision damage waiver coverage if you charge the rental to the card. If you have any additional drivers they need to be named in the rental agreement. If they are other than your spouse, you may enter a gray area as far as the insurance coverage.
This post was edited on 4/29/15 at 4:35 am
Posted on 4/29/15 at 4:48 am to zacata88
Can todays youth do anything without consulting social media?
Posted on 4/29/15 at 5:23 am to zacata88
if you smoke in the car you have to buy it. 
Posted on 4/29/15 at 5:36 am to zacata88
I shopped around. Got the best prices on car rentals dot com. Best to book before the Monday prior to trip if possible. It was $6 per day more at 9am Monday than 5am on the same day when I initially price checked. Still got a good price though
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