LAX car hire

[Newk]

Thanks to all the wise advice on this thread. I have booked a car to use on Maui through Netflights. And printed all the documents that show that SLI, CDW and LDW are all included as are local and state taxes. As someone who has been ripped off before with unexpected add-ons with car hire, most notably at LHR, I hope this one goes well.
To those who were worried about booking a car from Australia through a UK based company I don't see any worries. The T and Cs clearly state that the rentals via the site are not allowed from certain countries that do NOT include Australia.
Wish us luck

 

[aussiedom]

Some of the info I posted here originally is a little out of date now. Some (but not all) of the major rental agencies will automatically give you the 'all inclusive' rates if you use their AU site to book a rental for a US location.

Can't remember which ones do this - pretty sure Avis is one that does. So you can get the same result using the AU site that I've been using the UK sites to get until now. Other AU sites still kick you to the US site which means you will be quoted the basic, non inclusive rate.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Some of the info I posted here originally is a little out of date now. Some (but not all) of the major rental agencies will automatically give you the 'all inclusive' rates if you use their AU site to book a rental for a US location.

Can't remember which ones do this - pretty sure Avis is one that does. So you can get the same result using the AU site that I've been using the UK sites to get until now. Other AU sites still kick you to the US site which means you will be quoted the basic, non inclusive rate.

A word of warning on Avis. The costs are significantly increased booking through the AU site for US bookings.
I have booked all of my US/ Canada rentals for my current trip through the Avis UK site.

 

[aussiedom]

Thought that might be the case Fiona. Usually we Aussies seem to end up paying more for things don't we ;-)

 

[cove]

I usually take the gold or platinum cover with the Argus car trawler site as that includes enough insurance to keep any claim from coming to Australia. At the counter the sales staff then try everything to upgrade us into something seeing they earn about half of the upgrade fees. Having a GPS for the US is worth buying and others can use it when they travel.
I do believe in keeping any insurance claim in the country you hired the car so you don't end up with an enforceable judgement back in Australia from a US court case or any other country.

 

[drron]

A word of warning on Avis. The costs are significantly increased booking through the AU site for US bookings.
I have booked all of my US/ Canada rentals for my current trip through the Avis UK site.

But always check the Aussie site as sometimes you get a surprise-recent MIA rental-Aussie site was half the price of the UK site.
And our coming trip to the UK got an all inclusive price for 3 weeks in a merc on the Aussie site for less than the UK site wanted for a corolla.
Though Canadian and DFW rentals in 2013 still much cheaper with the UK site.
And for MIA and the UK the Aussie price was all inclusive.

 

[drewbles]

If not booking direct through National, I tend to use netjets and National.

I've used netjets in a lot of places and never had an issue. If you can get National elite status, it's worth it. Book any mid-size and you can pick any car from the 'executive' aisle. You can get National elite via Milepoint premium membership ($55 iirc). The premium membership will also give you UA miles, and HHonors Gold (if you don't have that already). Not a bad deal.

I don't believe that you can use netjets to get the 'any car' from the executive aisle option though (has to be direct with National).

 

[aussiedom]

With the GPS issue, perhaps also consider getting a US SIM for your smartphone.

The US has been way behind most other places until very recently in having prepaid o

 

[kpc]

CDW/LDW and SLI/EP are the main ones you need to make sure are sorted, one way or the other. The other forms of insurance rental car firms might offer such as 'Personal Effects Insurance' (in case someone steals your stuff from the car) are most likely covered by travel insurance.

I was getting worried about my car rental next week in the US but my rate includes the following so I should be good to go:

Included​

[TABLE="width: 580"]
[TR]
[TD]Hotel Concession Fee Recovery[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Loss Damage Waiver[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Taxes[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Liability Insurance Suppleme[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VEH LIC COST RECVRY[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Transaction Fee[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]California Tourism Commission Assessment[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Unlimited Free Miles Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Newk]

I was getting worried about my car rental next week in the US but my rate includes the following so I should be good to go:

Included​

[TABLE="width: 580"]
[TR]
[TD]Hotel Concession Fee Recovery[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Loss Damage Waiver[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Taxes[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Liability Insurance Suppleme[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VEH LIC COST RECVRY[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Transaction Fee[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]California Tourism Commission Assessment[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Unlimited Free Miles Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Hi KPC,

Great to catch up recently.
I had my best rental experience yesterday, (possibly) by following recommendations on this thread. At the airport rental car office I conspicuously placed a paper copy of my booking reference on the counter with great big circles around the things included, especially those insurance requirements outlined in this thread. It's the first I haven't had the hard sell to add/change/increase insurance.

Have a great trip

 

[bass_ke]

Hey guys,

Just looking for some updated advice

I'm looking at a few different rentals in the US including 5 day's around SFO and an 8 day out of LAS or possibly a one-way LAS - DEN

I'm thinking Hertz as I'm about to activate my VA SG status with them and National with the chance to go Elite out of Milepoint

Look forward to your opinions!

Nate

 

[Danger]

I've never driven in the US (or anywhere else abroad) before but now find myself in a bit of a pickle.

I've got a stay coming up at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. Then I'm booked at the Hyatt Regency Orange County which, according to Google Maps, is more than an hour away.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/...c457618938b4299!2m2!1d-117.915746!2d33.789104

Would those with experience recommend hiring a car to get me out to OC or finding another hotel closer to downtown? This will be my fourth or fifth time in LA and I wanted to do a bit of downtown and a bit of the outer areas (as well as the beach), but I'm not sure OC is going to be the best bet.

 

[PLANT]

Unless you got heaps of money for taxi, heap of time for bus, car is a must for getting around. Have travel insurance and use carhire3000.com pay in pounds, ring them for further request a discount on price... PM me if you want a name of guy I used with them to book.

 

[Danger]

Thanks for that. I checked the rates and they seem reasonable but I don't have anything to compare it to, this being my first overseas car hire.

The Hilton charges $24 a night parking and the Hyatt in OC $26 which basically means the hire car will cost me $50 a day, excluding fuel. At this stage I'm thinking I'll get the car after the two nights at the Hilton and take it one-way, out to the Hyatt for the four nights then return it to LAX.

I'm not sure how I'll go driving in LA though.

 

[file51]

The Hilton charges $24 a night parking and the Hyatt in OC $26 which basically means the hire car will cost me $50 a day, excluding fuel. At this stage I'm thinking I'll get the car after the two nights at the Hilton and take it one-way, out to the Hyatt for the four nights then return it to LAX.

I'm not sure how I'll go driving in LA though.

Hyatt Regency OC parking charge is $22 (it just went up from $16 when I was there a couple of weeks ago).

I stay there at least 4-5 times per year (a mix of work & play visits) and usually have the parking charge waived as a regular Diamond guest (this is not normally done, but I do know of other Diamond members who have had the charge waived at check-out).

The down side with the HR OC, no regency club, however the breakfast on offer in the Tusca restaurant is one of the best I have had out of all the Hyatt's I have stayed at (both the Buffet and A-la-carte).

I assume you may be doing the Disney thing (hence staying in OC?) if so the hotel shuttle is the best option to go to the park, even if you just want to walk around Downtown Disney, it is worth the quick trip (at check-in mention you may be going to the park, they should give you a free pass for the shuttle as it is normally approx $5 per day).

In regards to food, you are surrounded with a bunch of chain restaurants, Red Robin, Outback Steakhouse, Buca Di Beppo, Joe's Crab Shack, Oggi's etc.

Target is across the road if any supplies are required (better pricing than the local Walmart for snacks and toiletries etc)

Whilst not the quickest way to drive to OC, If you drive down Interstate 5 just past the 710 interchange you have the Citadel Outlets, one of the better outlet shopping areas in the LA area.

Driving in LA is fine, just allow plenty of time, and hopefully you have someone with you so you can take advantage of the HOV (car pool) lanes... they are a god send at times.

 

[Danger]

Many thanks, file51. I appreciate the information and tips.

I have also read on FlyerTalk that parking fees are often but not always waived for Diamond. I also read somewhere that there is a shuttle to some outlets, which may be Citadel, but if I have a car the chances are I'll be going.

My reason for choosing the OC property was primarily because I was looking for something a little bit away from downtown/Hollywood, although it seems I've ended up going a lot away. I'm travelling alone so I'm not sold on Disneyland yet, especially at $96 a day. To me it's probably something to do with kids one day.

 

[cove]

Our group stayed at Ayres on Katella as it backs onto Angels Stadium. It has free parking but you do need to put the parking allowed card on the dashboard which is not too hard.

 

[Danger]

Unless you got heaps of money for taxi, heap of time for bus, car is a must for getting around. Have travel insurance and use carhire3000.com pay in pounds, ring them for further request a discount on price... PM me if you want a name of guy I used with them to book.

I took your advice and reckon I saved a good amount.

After procrastinating to the point that I saw the best deal disappear, I phoned carhire3000.com and the agent found me a car but out at LAX. The cost of that was AUD153 including all their very nice waivers whereas the best I could get searching around car sites was USD224 without the extras. So I took Uber out to LAX and even with that cost I'm well ahead.

Thanks for the referral.

 

[PLANT]

Happy to pay it forward

 

[QF029]

Re: Car Hire out of LAX

I did some car rental bookings using Netflights over the weekend and made sure I was fully cogniscient of the inclusions.

They are listed here: Car Hire Conditions (Note these can vary depending on the company / location)

Some very important parts:

Serfty et al - In the Netflights T's & C's I noticed the following:

Please Note - Our rates are not available to residents of Latin America, the Caribbean, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Asia and Pacific regions, United States or Canada. Additionally, renters must present a valid non-US/non-Canadian driver’s licence and a valid non-US/non-Canadian Passport. However, USA and Canadian driving licence and passport holders can be added to the rental as an additional driver.

Is this new and if not does it concern anyone? I want to hire a car from SFO to LAX next week and Argus results are expensive and don't have the usual packages including insurances. Netflights looks great but the above worries me.