USA Car rental, specifically Alamo/Hertz

[bass_ke]

Good Early Afternoon fellow AFF'ers

I've had a bit of a search and only been able to dig up old and closed threads.

I was wondering what recent experiences are like with Hertz and Alamo?

I'll be doing approx 3 different rentals, round trip out of LAS

Round trip out of Buffalo or Rochester

One way Vancouver - Seattle

The Hertz website seems to indicate insurances are included, this seems to be very complicated in the US, any tips or experience?

Thanks!
Nate

 

[blackcat20]

I used both on my recent trip to the States and found Alamo far superior. You can also get a cheaper rate if you use Alamo.co.uk/brits

 

[bass_ke]

Thanks for the reply

Its been a bitter pill to turn down status benefits and VFF points but I'm consistently hearing Alamo are superior to Hertz.

Did your rate include insurances?

 

[blackcat20]

Thanks for the reply

Its been a bitter pill to turn down status benefits and VFF points but I'm consistently hearing Alamo are superior to Hertz.

Did your rate include insurances?

Yes it did. The only extra I opted for at the desk was the $5 per day roadside assist.

 

[UP4014]

I prefer and use Alamo.

Matt

 

[bass_ke]

Looks like that's who I shall start having a good look with. Any other tips and tricks?

Is their fleet consistent nationwide and between airport locations and city locations?

 

[UP4014]

Looks like that's who I shall start having a good look with. Any other tips and tricks?

Is their fleet consistent nationwide and between airport locations and city locations?

I've found Alamo USA has a better fleet than Alamo Mexico

But yes, pretty much the same across the lower 48. If you subscribe to their weekly email deals sooner or later one will pop up that might be useful.

Matt

 

[bobe]

Hi I have just done a 3 week car rental to the USA , done through " Economy Car Rental' I think they are based in Europe, booking was easy just paid a small deposit, they are agents and get the best price possible for you, the best thing is you pay the full price when you pick up the car and EVERYTHING is included, all insurences etc etc, NO hidden charges, the car we hired was from Alamo, no problem ,easy pick up at LAX,and easy to return, I have hired cars at various times in different countries and from now on this is by far imop ,the best way to go also it was the best price, good luck.if you need any more detailes PM me.

 

[straitman]

Another to look at and who numerous people here have used is Netflights. You pay in UK pounds but the up side is that it is all inclusive and in many states there is not one way drop off fees. They us a variety of companies including Alamo and National.

The only catch I have found is when picking up cars the provider tries to sell you extras that are already in your package. :evil:

I have used them a number of time and in a number of (US) states with my last booking with them was about 3 hrs ago. :shock:

One way Vancouver - Seattle

Be wary of cross border rentals as a few extra considerations come into play.

 

[smithnicholas320]

I use Alamo ..

 

[bass_ke]

Another to look at and who numerous people here have used is Netflights. You pay in UK pounds but the up side is that it is all inclusive and in many states there is not one way drop off fees. They us a variety of companies including Alamo and National.

The only catch I have found is when picking up cars the provider tries to sell you extras that are already in your package. :evil:

I have used them a number of time and in a number of (US) states with my last booking with them was about 3 hrs ago. :shock:

Be wary of cross border rentals as a few extra considerations come into play.

The rate on a dummy booking didn't show one way fee's but looking through the T & C's I came across the below

A one way rental is any hire where the drop-off depot is different from where the vehicle was collected and will incur a fee of $399 plus local taxes.

Is this normally the case with netflights and they just waive the fee when picking up?

 

[Jurahn]

Its been a bitter pill to turn down status benefits and VFF points but I'm consistently hearing Alamo are superior to Hertz.

Don't count on getting the points with Hertz if you prepay ... hubby hired a car from Hertz for several weeks in Las Vegas, prepaid rate was considerably less than the "pay later" rate so he decided to prepay, but afterwards no points turned up in his Velocity account so we put in a retro claim through Velocity. Hertz then claimed the rental was a "corporate rate" so ineligible for Velocity points. I went through the paperwork hubby received from Hertz, and also everything he received via email when the reservation was confirmed, with a fine tooth comb and there was NOTHING whatsoever about a prepaid rate being ineligible or that the booking could in any way be classed as a "corporate" rate, especially as hubby didn't use any rate discount codes at all. But nope, Hertz wouldn't budge, so no points.

 

[Maca44]

The rate on a dummy booking didn't show one way fee's but looking through the T & C's I came across the below

A one way rental is any hire where the drop-off depot is different from where the vehicle was collected and will incur a fee of $399 plus local taxes.

Is this normally the case with netflights and they just waive the fee when picking up?

Have you considered travelling between Vancouver and Seattle on the Amtrak Cascades. Costs about $63.00, and although it takes about 4hrs for the trip you follow the coast for most of the way and a really great scenic trip. You clear immigration at Pacific Central Station, Vancouver and arrive into King St Station Seattle. Amtrak Cascades

There is a light rail system that leaves from King St Station to SEA which takes about 40mins, and a short walk (all undercover through the car-park) into the terminal Sound Transit Home - SoundTransit

I will be doing this in in September up to Vancouver, and return to SEA.

 

[bass_ke]

Have you considered travelling between Vancouver and Seattle on the Amtrak Cascades. Costs about $63.00, and although it takes about 4hrs for the trip you follow the coast for most of the way and a really great scenic trip. You clear immigration at Pacific Central Station, Vancouver and arrive into King St Station Seattle. Amtrak Cascades

There is a light rail system that leaves from King St Station to SEA which takes about 40mins, and a short walk (all undercover through the car-park) into the terminal Sound Transit Home - SoundTransit

I will be doing this in in September up to Vancouver, and return to SEA.

I had actually started to consider this! Looks a very civil option! Can you get off north of Seattle, say around Paine Field?

 

[Maca44]

I had actually started to consider this! Looks a very civil option! Can you get off north of Seattle, say around Paine Field?

This website shows the stations the Cascades stops Amtrak Cascades - Our Stations
You can get off at Everett and Edmonds, with Paine Field located between these two.

Edit: To Edmonds only cost $49.00 in a business class seat.

 

[bobe]

This website shows the stations the Cascades stops Amtrak Cascades - Our Stations
You can get off at Everett and Edmonds, with Paine Field located between these two.

Edit: To Edmonds only cost $49.00 in a business class seat.

Did the train trip last month well worth the money hugged the coast line most of the way, we got a Buisness class seat for the extra leg room ( both seniors) think it cost 60 bucks each plus a $4 food Bev voucher ( big deal eh ) go for it you won't be dissapointed it stops a few times along the way but only for dropping off and picking up, enjoy.