Another car rental USA thread...

[Warks]

Alamo seems okay with Canada (but not Mexico - which I'd understand). I looked into directly booking with Alamo but it came in about $400 more than Netflights.

Was wondering about the wisdom of selecting a car size below my optimum and hoping for the upgrade - nearly always get one I've found in the past. The worst thing that could happen is that we end up with a slightly smaller car than we'd like and Yank cars are usually bigger anyway.

 

[straitman]

Warks,

I had a look at the Thrifty T&C that you mentioned.

What is interesting (and different) is that they change slightly if you copy & paste them. :?::?::?::?:

An extra line appears in the copy and paste that is not visible on the original page. Weird.

Here are the two lots of text. First as you see it on the web site and second as you see it in the copy and paste. The extra line is italics and alters the meaning in my opinion.

Driving Restrictions

Driving into Canada is only permitted when vehicles are rented from the following locations and upon approval by the depot manager. Driving in to Canada without prior approval will render all insurance cover null and void. No additional charge is applicable.

Boston Airport Denver Airport Los Angeles Airport Newark Airport Detroit Airport Oakland Airport JFK Airport Philadelphia Airport San Francisco Airport La Guadia Airport

Driving Restrictions

Driving into Canada is only permitted when vehicles are rented from the following locations and upon approval by the depot manager. Driving in to Canada without prior approval will render all insurance cover null and void. No additional charge is applicable.

One way rental into Canada permitted from the following depots Boston Airport Denver Airport Los Angeles Airport Newark Airport Detroit Airport Oakland Airport JFK Airport Philadelphia Airport San Francisco Airport La Guadia Airport

I have sent them an email asking what they really mean and seeking more info re Canada and insurance.

 

[Warks]

Warks,

I had a look at the Thrifty T&C that you mentioned.

What is interesting (and different) is that they change slightly if you copy & paste them. :?::?::?::?:

An extra line appears in the copy and paste that is not visible on the original page. Weird.

Here are the two lots of text. First as you see it on the web site and second as you see it in the copy and paste. The extra line is italics and alters the meaning in my opinion.

Driving Restrictions

Driving into Canada is only permitted when vehicles are rented from the following locations and upon approval by the depot manager. Driving in to Canada without prior approval will render all insurance cover null and void. No additional charge is applicable.

Boston Airport Denver Airport Los Angeles Airport Newark Airport Detroit Airport Oakland Airport JFK Airport Philadelphia Airport San Francisco Airport La Guadia Airport

Driving Restrictions

Driving into Canada is only permitted when vehicles are rented from the following locations and upon approval by the depot manager. Driving in to Canada without prior approval will render all insurance cover null and void. No additional charge is applicable.

One way rental into Canada permitted from the following depots Boston Airport Denver Airport Los Angeles Airport Newark Airport Detroit Airport Oakland Airport JFK Airport Philadelphia Airport San Francisco Airport La Guadia Airport

I have sent them an email asking what they really mean and seeking more info re Canada and insurance.

That is rather odd. Why one way rentals? And not round-trip rentals? It seems to suggest that the listed locations are the only places you can do one-way rentals but does that mean you can do round-trips from others? Doesn't sound like it but I'd be very interested to see their response. I was about to book with Alamo but will hold off. We don't fly for a couple of weeks yet.

 

[wtolmie]

Hey all, not sure if it is of any benefit to anyone, but I always use Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars -- Discount Airfare | Priceline.com for car hire in the US. On my quarterly trips to Mikwaukee, I get a Intermediate car booked thru priceline's website from hertz for $153/week. To book via hertz website is $380/week. You can also take optional insurance for $11/day. Not sure of the details on the insurance though or who its underwritten by.

Also I quote my Hertz Club#1 Gold # and get the member benefits too.. Big savings too if you dont get the car from an airport..

 

[file51]

You should not have any issues renting out of SEA.

I read the posts above last night and upon returning my Jeep Commander this morning (1 hr ago) I asked the manager on duty and he said it is fine. (currently in the Alaska Airlines Boardroom awaiting my flight to LAX then SFO)

Some specialty type vehicles that they have on fleet from time to time are excluded from entering Canada (i.e. they cant stop you from driving there, but you are not covered by insurance), however, these are not the type of vehicles most people use when on vacation (Merc's, some convertibles, Audi's etc)

For peace of mind I would still get something in writing.

Having dealt with both Hertz & Avis at SEA previously I can also state that they allow vehicles to go north of the border as well.

 

[Warks]

You should not have any issues renting out of SEA.

I read the posts above last night and upon returning my Jeep Commander this morning (1 hr ago) I asked the manager on duty and he said it is fine. (currently in the Alaska Airlines Boardroom awaiting my flight to LAX then SFO)

Some specialty type vehicles that they have on fleet from time to time are excluded from entering Canada (i.e. they cant stop you from driving there, but you are not covered by insurance), however, these are not the type of vehicles most people use when on vacation (Merc's, some convertibles, Audi's etc)

For peace of mind I would still get something in writing.

Having dealt with both Hertz & Avis at SEA previously I can also state that they allow vehicles to go north of the border as well.

Thanks - while it's there in black and white in their T&C I'd be avoiding Thrifty without something specific in writing. I woudn't take a manager's word that's for sure. I'm not going to travel without insurance.

Is there an email address there I could use?

 

[Warks]

I've just had a look at Thrifty SEATAC directly and they are offering some "hot deals" which look better than Netflights. Only drawback (and it's a biggie) is that insurance is not included and I can't seem to work out a way to get a full quote from their website. They list the options but not the cost. Usually full insurance will double the rental cost which in this case will be about the same as the Netflights offer. Will dig deeper.

Also their T&C don't mention not being allowed to go to Canada, in fact, there is one line "Unlimited mile rates are for the Continental United States and lower British Columbia only."

How they define lower BC will be interesting. Lower latitude or elevation? We plan on going to Banff, Alberta so that does make it interesting but with unlimited miles does that matter anyway?

Mid size car
Details:
Rental Time Charge $494.97
APT CONC RECOV FEE (11.1%) $55.44
Customer Facility Charge ($5.00 per day) $100.00
Energy Recovery Fee ($0.45 per day) $4.50
RENTAL TAX (9.7%) $54.36
STATE TAX (9.5%) $53.67
VEHICLE LICENSE FEE ($0.50 per day) $10.00
Total Estimated Mandatory Charges (USD) $772.94
Estimated Grand Total (USD) $772.94

Got to love all those additional fees and charges. You get charged $5 per day because it's an airport pick up? Why it that relevant apart from the first and last day?

 

[Flashback]

Got to love all those additional fees and charges. You get charged $5 per day because it's an airport pick up? Why it that relevant apart from the first and last day?

If there is the option, catch a taxi into town and rent from the downtown location; will save you a fair bit IMHO.

 

[straitman]

Warks,

I have sent them an email asking what they really mean and seeking more info re Canada and insurance.

No response from the email which puts them well outside their own guidelines for responding.

 

[Warks]

No response from the email which puts them well outside their own guidelines for responding.

I just tried that today as well. Will see.

 

[Skyring]

Based on the info provided, if you were to use a wholesaler, like Car Hire worldwide : netflights.com you will save a bundle, and all the taxes, fees, duties, coverages are included.

Using the dates 9/9/09 to 30/9/09 with netflights you could get a full size car like a Dodge Charger for AU$975 all inclusive.

Cripes. Why is it that all American cars have an extra couple of cylinders of ugly? Some of those things would startle a truckie.

I'll be hiring a car next month. Two weeks driving around the south - Charleston, New Orleans, Texas - PU and DO in KC. This thread is of keen interest to me.

What about petrol/gas - will that be a huge slug, especially for some monster like the Chrysler 300?

 

[Warks]

I agree that the Yank cars are almost uniformly ugly - the only ones they let loose here are the odd Chrysler and they are the 'prettiest' of them - still ugly of course. In my experience they tend to guzzle fuel without the power commensurate with such guzzling that you'd expect. The only bonus there is the fuel is still so much cheaper than here which is why they've never done enough in this regard. Japanese cars are incredibly popular there - Camrys and Accords I think are the biggest selling cars (note not SUVs or 'pickups') which should tell them something. However I've never been able to 'rent' anything but a Yank tank - probably something in the Patriot Act about that for the rental companies.

 

[notzac]

However I've never been able to 'rent' anything but a Yank tank - probably something in the Patriot Act about that for the rental companies.

Interesting you should mention that -- the first time I rented a car in the US it was a Mazda3, the second time it was a Ford Focus. Still, on both occasions they tried to convince me I wanted a yank tank

 

[straitman]

I agree that the Yank cars are almost uniformly ugly - the only ones they let loose here are the odd Chrysler and they are the 'prettiest' of them - still ugly of course. In my experience they tend to guzzle fuel without the power commensurate with such guzzling that you'd expect

Hey my Chrysler 300C has all the power you need plus and it uses about 7L/100k cruising and 11-12L/100k if only used around town:!:

 

[drron]

Interesting you should mention that -- the first time I rented a car in the US it was a Mazda3, the second time it was a Ford Focus. Still, on both occasions they tried to convince me I wanted a yank tank

Well the last 2 times I have rented from Hertz(both through a third party) instead of the F car I booked I have been given a Chevvy Malibu-listed in their guide as a D car.However on this last trip i was getting 38 mpg from it so petrol was not a huge slug.Per gallon was paying between $US2.39 to $US2.97(in NYC).

 

[file51]

lol, I should avoid this thread now if we are talking about economical cars, and American cars.

The cars I have rented over the past 4 years only consist of the following

Jeep Commander (so far 4 times this year)
Hummer H3 (twice)
Dodge Durango (twice)
Ford Explorer (8 times in 4 years)

Mind you aside from past 2 trips, most driving is done in the snow and in rural areas, plus with 3-4 passengers, up to 6 at times...

Plus I love my Dodge Avenger (baby Charger) that I use as my daily driver

 

[Warks]

Well I got a reply from Netlfights, straitman. Nothing useful of course.

Mnay thanks for your email regarding Terms and Conditions for Thrifty car hire. Unfortunately we are unable to provide details as to why Thrifty have decided not to allow Seattle as one of their confirmed depots for entry into Canada. If you wish to pick up a car from Seattle you would at the moment not be allowed to take the car hire into Seattle. Should you wish for me to look into car hire quoted for you please do not hesitate to get in contact on the number below.

Think I'll just book with Alamo (via Netflights) and save the worry and hassle, will cost $200 more but it's still about $600 cheaper than where I started with Avis as a "Preferred Customer". Preferred gouge more like.

 

[straitman]

I finally have a reply but it was to ask for more information:!:

Dear Mr straitman,

Thank you for your enquiry. So I am able to check this for you. I need to know what type of car you are looking for and what type of insurance?

I look forward to your reply.

Kindest Regards
[FONT=&quot]xx_xx xx_xx_
[/FONT]
Outbound sales team NetFlights.com

[FONT=&quot]So I sent them a detailed email explaining the steps of booking and turns out that the lady in question is out of the office until Monday and I leave MEL on Tuesday morning:!:
[/FONT]

 

[Warks]

So two completely different answers but both equally useful!

 

[Warks]

I've noticed that the example cars they quote on are often obsolete models too. Chevrolet Cavalier hasn't been produced since 2005.
Be nice to have an idea what they are really renting out.