Best agency for VF SV6 from Sydney Airport?

[G.Zod]

I see that Hertz, Avis and Thrifty are all coming in at about the $170 mark for Sat pickup and Monday drop-off, unlimited kms and no extras. Hertz is actually MORE with my CDP...someone's buggered that up somewhere. Any recommendations? I'm ok with ending up in a XR6 if that is one of the alternative cars, not so sure about a Camry Sport model.

 

[AdMEL]

Apologies for the late reply - missed your post!

Best agency for VF SV6 is Avis (or Budget, since they share the fleet). I am led to believe they even have some of current Storm limited edition versions, at least in Melbourne.

Thrifty only have XR6's as far as I am aware. Currently offering 15% off.

Hertz - whilst they do have some, not many and they appear to be getting on. It appears they're moving to Toyota's and VW Passats.

Note that my observations are based on Melbourne, but the fleet is usually similar in Sydney.

 

[Shano]

If you do book a full size sports from Avis you could end up with a VE or VF SV6 or the XR6

 

[AdMEL]

If you do book a full size sports from Avis you could end up with a VE or VF SV6 or the XR6

I wouldn't think they have too many VE's left on fleet, given they will be older than the 12 months they usually keep them for. Most would be VF SV6's, with some XR6's.

 

[Shano]

I end up with more VEs from SYD than VFs.

Maybe they know my driving style...

 

[G.Zod]

Apologies for the late reply - missed your post!

Best agency for VF SV6 is Avis (or Budget, since they share the fleet). I am led to believe they even have some of current Storm limited edition versions, at least in Melbourne.

No worries, thanks very much for the reply. I'll give Avis a try. There's a deal on with Avis where they will upgrade 2 levels to full size sports subject to availability...tossing up whether to risk it or whether I'm more likely to get a VF if I pay the full freight.

I end up with more VEs from SYD than VFs.

Maybe they know my driving style...

Hmm fingers crossed...maybe since they don't know me I'll get a nice new VF!

 

[AdMEL]

No worries, thanks very much for the reply. I'll give Avis a try. There's a deal on with Avis where they will upgrade 2 levels to full size sports subject to availability...tossing up whether to risk it or whether I'm more likely to get a VF if I pay the full freight.



Hmm fingers crossed...maybe since they don't know me I'll get a nice new VF!

If your rental is 3 days (or effectively more than 51 hours or y2 days 3 hours), both Avis and Budget currently have 3 weekend days for the price of 2 (Budget is a deal for Amex card holders until end of Aug). I find these deals both cheaper and more effective getting the car you want, as the upgrade deals are always subject to availability, which is effectively a get out clause for them (though they've only used it once in my case).

 

[G.Zod]

If your rental is 3 days (or effectively more than 51 hours or y2 days 3 hours), both Avis and Budget currently have 3 weekend days for the price of 2 (Budget is a deal for Amex card holders until end of Aug). I find these deals both cheaper and more effective getting the car you want, as the upgrade deals are always subject to availability, which is effectively a get out clause for them (though they've only used it once in my case).

Thanks, I can't seem to locate either deal on Avis or Budget websites though? I looked on Amex and in my card login too (perhaps because my card is directly with Amex and not a bank?).

Full size sports is coming up as $220 Sat pickup Tues drop-off.

I'll give them a ring in the morning and see what they say.

 

[UP4014]

I think Avis is your best chance. That's how I got one.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/12781219133/in/set-72157626062624644

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks, I can't seem to locate either deal on Avis or Budget websites though? I looked on Amex and in my card login too (perhaps because my card is directly with Amex and not a bank?).

Full size sports is coming up as $220 Sat pickup Tues drop-off.

I'll give them a ring in the morning and see what they say.

Apologies. Budget offer may only apply to bank issued credit cards (I see it when logged into Amex Connect with a bank issued card) and Avis offer is for preferred members.

In any event, the offers are for a third weekend day free, which means rental must start after midday Thurs and end before midnight Monday.

 

[AdMEL]

Hertz is actually MORE with my CDP...someone's buggered that up somewhere.

Not necessarily! It sounds like your CDP is a fixed rate (rather than % discount to the standard public retail rate), which many are. These are generally more when the public rates are low and less when the public rates are high, such as holiday periods (note that some CDP's don't apply then), but usually have a much lower excess (usually $700 + GST + admin fee + airport surcharge, or $1,500 + the same amounts).

 

[G.Zod]

I think Avis is your best chance. That's how I got one.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/12781219133/in/set-72157626062624644

Looks great! Vic plates though so hopefully they have them in Sydney. Avis it is.

Not necessarily! It sounds like your CDP is a fixed rate (rather than % discount to the standard public retail rate), which many are. These are generally more when the public rates are low and less when the public rates are high, such as holiday periods (note that some CDP's don't apply then), but usually have a much lower excess (usually $700 + GST + admin fee + airport surcharge, or $1,500 + the same amounts).

Oh I see, I didn't see any mention of reduced excess though - I'll have to chase that up.

 

[AdMEL]

Looks great! Vic plates though so hopefully they have them in Sydney. Avis it is.



Oh I see, I didn't see any mention of reduced excess though - I'll have to chase that up.

They'll definitely have them in Sydney. I've rented them from Avis Cairns, Christchurch, Queenstown and Melbourne in the last 12 months, so Sydney will definitely have them.

No way to find the reduced excess on the hertz (or Avis) website - you need to call them and they should be able to tell you. Alternatively, wherever the CDP came from should provide details of the reduced excess.

 

[G.Zod]

Update: Visa Premium has an Avis World discount - only $10 for this period but better than nothing. Downside is that booking through Visa means that the booking runs through Avis UK, and now I can't change the time online...clicking on the "manage" link gives you a cheery message telling you to call the UK call centre or use the UK iOS app. Should have just used the code on the Avis Aus page

Excess stated is A$2,650 for Group P (presumably plus surcharges etc), not sure if this is less than it would be otherwise.

 

[AdMEL]

Update: Visa Premium has an Avis World discount - only $10 for this period but better than nothing. Downside is that booking through Visa means that the booking runs through Avis UK, and now I can't change the time online...clicking on the "manage" link gives you a cheery message telling you to call the UK call centre or use the UK iOS app. Should have just used the code on the Avis Aus page

Excess stated is A$2,650 for Group P (presumably plus surcharges etc), not sure if this is less than it would be otherwise.

Excess of $2,650 is the standard excess - you need to add 10% GST & 3.5% admin fee to that (& possibly airport surcharge, though when Avis LST charged me the excess for reversing their XR6 into a pole, the airport surcharge did not apply), giving you a total of almost $3k. Better than Hertz and Europcar which are now $4k+! Annoying that they don't quote the actual amount you'll pay.