Rental Car USA

[Matthew Moore]

Hey Guys

I am trying to rent a car during my trip in Los Angeles for 2 weeks.

When I started looking it looked fairly straight forward, most company being about $15-25 a day, Looks like a bargain.

However I am 20 years old, so after all the "taxes" and "insurance" fees, the quotes end up being about $700-$800!

Has anyone rented a car in LA before and were under 21, can anyone offer any assistance, or am I really stuck with paying $700 to rent a car for two weeks, would it not then be more economical to just catch taxis and public transport?


Your advice is much appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[harvyk]

If the quote comes to say $700 for the two weeks (lets say 14 days because the maths is easier), that's only $50 a day.
Don't forget that petrol is extremely cheap (by our standards). You'll probably find parking will become the big expense of having a car, not the rental itself. Although again, it's comparable to other large city prices.

I have to admit I've never tried getting around LA on public transport, but from what I've heard it's not exactly the easiest thing to do.

Don't forget to also get a GPS (or bring one with LA maps loaded)... The freeway system is good, but it would be very easy to get lost on \ miss an exit because you where not in one of the 4 lanes which are going in the direction you want to go...

No one pays attention to speed limits on the freeways. I tried for about 5 minutes and then gave up when I saw a copper going past at prob 30 mph over, without actually looking like they where in a hurry (ie not swerving between lanes and no disco lights on). Even though the speed limit were 65 mph, I probably averaged 75 - 80 mph, and I was still one of the slower drivers.

Also check you travel insurance policy carefully, you might find that it covers your rental car. Of course rental car places will never tell you that as the sales persons make big commissions on including insurance with rentals, and will deliberately try and confuse you into purchasing additional insurance from them.

 

[Blackadder]

Nearly everyone in LA and surrounds drives and for a good reason.
Worth the investment for 2 weeks.

 

[trooper]

Have never found a travel insurance policy here that covers anything other than the excess....

So.. I never rent a car in the USA without CDW/LDW..

The OP seems to be looking at US rental sites (attracted by the apparently cheap daily rates we have all heard about?) but then has to add the awful daily rates of CDW...and the under 25 surcharge... Even so...

As harvyk says... that's only $50 a day... I usually pay between 30 and 40 all in (booking through mainly europe based consolidators who offer all inclusive rates) ... and I'm well over 25 so I too would consider that a good deal given the surcharges often applied to those under 25, let alone under 21!!

 

[odysseus]

I travelled around LA myself at that age, and couldn't even rent from most places because of the age. Wound up deciding to take public transport as the price difference was massive.

This was way back when, so they didn't have the subway lines they do now. That's made things a lot easier by all accounts. It really depends where you're staying and where you want to go, and whether you're solo or not. I was staying at a hostel, so went on tours with them as well.

 

[MadFairlane]

Bringing up a half dead thread here.

With our upcoming US trip, we are going to hire a car from LAS and drive through to SFO over a period of 13-14 days.

After searching the forum, netflights.com seems to have pretty decent deals, however all the threads I could find on using them were a couple years old.

Anyone used them recently?

They seem to be pretty well priced, include everything as well.

The rentals they offer are through Dollar... are they any good, internet reviews suggest not...

Can I book through them (netflights) being an Australian resident? It doesnt particulary say that I can't, but again I can not find any recent threads about it.

Cheers,

Terrence.

 

[trooper]

Dollar is no doubt at the lower end of the "Big" rental agencies... but I have never had any real problems with them. The cars tend (IME at least) to have more miles on them and perhaps be a little less well looked after... but I'll keep using them.. (Not much choice - booking through a consolidator doesn't give you the choice anyway... it tends to be Dollar or Alamo!)

I haven't used netflights.. sorry.

 

[straitman]

The last time I used Netflights was a couple of years ago and Thrifty were the provider. I booked from Australia without issue and the only issue was the attempted up sell of items that were already covered.

Other than the original booking and associated paperwork the dealings were all via the provider.

 

[drron]

I used to use Dollar regularly but they have gone downhill.Nickel and diming is rife.Plus if you use a consolidator then on the West coast most offices have a separate queue for those holding an international presold booking-and it can take an age to get your car.
I now always check the rental cars UK sites and the rates are very competitive with the consolidators and even Avis who I use are often cheaper.Certainly worth a look.

 

[MadFairlane]

I used to use Dollar regularly but they have gone downhill.Nickel and diming is rife.Plus if you use a consolidator then on the West coast most offices have a separate queue for those holding an international presold booking-and it can take an age to get your car.
I now always check the rental cars UK sites and the rates are very competitive with the consolidators and even Avis who I use are often cheaper.Certainly worth a look.

Interesting.

When I try to book through Hertz.co.uk, I get an all inclusive pre-paid rate of 401GBP

Once I log in to my Hertz #1 Gold Five Star, still using Hertz.co.uk... The rate for the same vehicle jumps to $1938 AUD.

Odd...

EDIT: Furthering this, Can I add my 5 star details after I pre-pay the booking?

Not used to using hertz, trying to get some mileage out of my VA comp status with them

 

[drron]

There have been reports of people having problems with Hertz.Another i have jumped ship from.

 

[cove]

My Dollar Chevy that I rented through ARGUS dropped into a bit of a hole on Santa Monica Boulevard where the road budget money must have been cut or run out. So if you hire a white Chevy Impala that drives like a crab you have my one that bottomed out in the mini ravine and emerged with a bang! You may still find that hole if you choose to drive west out of Los Angeles on Santa Monica Boulevard.
I was so glad I was not driving a special car.

 

[MadFairlane]

Another thought,

I might just get the best online quote, from say traveljigsaw.com.au and then take it to flight centre to match/beat it.

All the "feel-goodness" from booking it through an agent, with the advantages of online pricing...

 

[psi999]

If it helps I have used both arguscarhire and traveljigsaw extensively throughout the US and never ever had a problem... along with others here, would be happy to recommend either.

Only will be charged at the counter for a full talk of fuel (return empty) and optional roadside assistance (few bucks a day) - very hard to up sell on the above packages as it basically includes everything.

I would go straight through the above... will get way better service than the likes of flight centre, especially TGS - fantastic service.

 

[DeKa]

If it helps I have used both arguscarhire and traveljigsaw extensively throughout the US and never ever had a problem... along with others here, would be happy to recommend either.

Only will be charged at the counter for a full talk of fuel (return empty) and optional roadside assistance (few bucks a day) - very hard to up sell on the above packages as it basically includes everything.

I would go straight through the above... will get way better service than the likes of flight centre, especially TGS - fantastic service.

Another vote for Argus here. I've used Travel Jigsaw once before, but find Argus' customer service better and faster to respond.

 

[cove]

Yes the Argus deal thru Dollar,National or Alamo is pretty reasonable with insurance and a tank of fuel tossed in and you are to return the car empty. We avoid add ons with AAA membership and a GPS to avoid the high pressure sales folks behind the check in counter so we achieve the advertised deal we book.

 

[AV8]

I am on the east coast USA at present and hired thru Argus (National supplied car) without any problems - usual try to upsell additional insurance as mentioned above upon car collection but declined offer - I had the choice of selecting a vehicle from those in rental category from the lot - good selection of relatively new cars . Have hired a car on the west coast USA next week also booked via Argus (Dollar will be supplier).So far so good.

 

[AdMEL]

Interesting.

When I try to book through Hertz.co.uk, I get an all inclusive pre-paid rate of 401GBP

Once I log in to my Hertz #1 Gold Five Star, still using Hertz.co.uk... The rate for the same vehicle jumps to $1938 AUD.

Odd...

EDIT: Furthering this, Can I add my 5 star details after I pre-pay the booking?

Not used to using hertz, trying to get some mileage out of my VA comp status with them

Hertz works a little differently to the others. On the top left of the home page there are country and language drop down boxes. The country is your geographic location, i.e. where you are the time of booking, not your country of residence like the others. Each country will give you different rates. I recommend you do not use any other country than where you are at the time of making the booking, as the Hertz terms are worded in such a way that it is a breach of the agreement if not correct and you may be asked to prove it. If you can't prove it, you may have the rate changed, be not able to rent the car, or in the event of an accident, have no insurance cover. Not a chance I'd be willing to take, especially in the US. There are many ways to get a lower rate legitimately, including CDP's from RACQ (which gives up to 15% discount). Also, Hertz are currently having a global sale, which gives a 20% discount for the US.

There have been reports of people having problems with Hertz.Another i have jumped ship from.

I've rented from Hertz SFO twice and had no problems.

 

[straitman]

The disadvantage of Argus IMHO is you do not know the rental company before the booking is made.

 

[borsa]

Hey Guys

I am trying to rent a car during my trip in Los Angeles for 2 weeks.

I booked a car in LA with Alamo through Autoeurope here in Australia. Very low mileage car, take your pick of any car on the lot (within your price bracket), excellent service, absolutely no problems. Full insurance included (for pick-ups in California only).Shuttle to and from the airport and easy access from lot to Freeway system.

Can't say what the rates would be for younger drivers, but well worth a look.