USA Rental Companies - Best value

[Caito]

Thanks all. You've been super helpful and I've got some more research to do.
usacarhire is a little cheaper ($4) but as it says balance to be paid within 8 weeks of rental, and I leave in roughly 10, doesn't leave much time to price shop

 

[straitman]

Have a look at netflights.com
UK based but very good US car rental prices and fairly easy to deal with. Check out the inclusions as they cover most things automatically

 

[raleyoz]

I have corporate cards with Avis, national and no one ever gets near www.americacarrental.com ,I use them every month for 4-6rentals each month , never a problem, and easy to get on phone if you do. It includes all insurances. They use Alamo, thrifty, dollar, fox and some smaller companies
Just did the same 17days outa LAX and
Nissan versa $429 all insurances
Ford Fusion $507 all ins.
RAV4 $515 all ins.
Malibu $588 all ins.

Be careful of the direct to rental companies, as they don't calculate many of the Insurances until you get there

1 really important tip, enroll in the frequent user programs with the rental company you select through americacarrental.com. so if you rent a Dollar car enrol in their Express program , it is free, and it allows you to skip the queue, and go directly to the express both out the back. In LAX this can save you hours.

 

[coriander]

I have corporate cards with Avis, national and no one ever gets near www.americacarrental.com ,
Just did the same 17days outa LAX and
Nissan versa $429 all insurances
Ford Fusion $507 all ins.
RAV4 $515 all ins.
Malibu $588 all ins.
rs.

Are those AUD or USD?

I just did the same 17days/LAX/May and got AU$619, 706, 728, 799, respectively. Am I missing a special code?

 

[sausagefingers]

I have corporate cards with Avis, national and no one ever gets near www.americacarrental.com ,I use them every month for 4-6rentals each month , never a problem, and easy to get on phone if you do. It includes all insurances. They use Alamo, thrifty, dollar, fox and some smaller companies
Just did the same 17days outa LAX and
Nissan versa $429 all insurances
Ford Fusion $507 all ins.
RAV4 $515 all ins.
Malibu $588 all ins.

Be careful of the direct to rental companies, as they don't calculate many of the Insurances until you get there

1 really important tip, enroll in the frequent user programs with the rental company you select through americacarrental.com. so if you rent a Dollar car enrol in their Express program , it is free, and it allows you to skip the queue, and go directly to the express both out the back. In LAX this can save you hours.

Wow, that website is $1k cheaper for my 17day hire.

 

[Caito]

I just punched them in too, but in USD and they're similar to the above by raleyoz.
I've booked a 'Ford Fusion/Nissan Altima or similar' with Alamo for 17 days for $630 USD.
$22 more by doing it direct but I'll pay on the day (always preferred to up front in case things change) and do online check-in and just take off when I get there.

Expedia.com.au for a Fullsize (with Alamo) came in at $505 USD ($708 AU) and 3% cashback on pricepal.
Might just be me but I'm always hesitant about 3rd party sites, no matter how good they may be

 

[Caito]

What are you getting that's that much more?
Scored an Ford Explorer for my parents for a month for only $935 - with Hertz

 

[sausagefingers]

What are you getting that's that much more?
Scored an Ford Explorer for my parents for a month for only $935 - with Hertz

I have booked a Ford Explorer direct with Hertz $1647 for 17 days pick up 14th march-31st March.
I can't get a Ford Explorer with the above, but for $700 cheaper I can get a Chevy Tahoe instead. which I think might work.

 

[raleyoz]

Are those AUD or USD?

I just did the same 17days/LAX/May and got AU$619, 706, 728, 799, respectively. Am I missing a special code?

weird, now i cant get that rate again , it is possible but unusual as my default is AUD
i am getting the same as you

NOTE: make sure that the correct inclusions are added
FOX tend to not add them as a default
Unlimited Mileage, Taxes & Fees, LDW/CDW, SLI, UMP, Theft Protection

 

[raleyoz]

I have booked a Ford Explorer direct with Hertz $1647 for 17 days pick up 14th march-31st March.
I can't get a Ford Explorer with the above, but for $700 cheaper I can get a Chevy Tahoe instead. which I think might work.

Alamo are good to deal with too

 

[Caito]

Not bad at all.
The Hertz discounts at the moment are a bit cough tbh.
Unless you're over 50 then you can combine the over 50's discount with one of their weekly/monthly discounts and it adds up to a fair saving

 

[raleyoz]

I just punched them in too, but in USD and they're similar to the above by raleyoz.
I've booked a 'Ford Fusion/Nissan Altima or similar' with Alamo for 17 days for $630 USD.
$22 more by doing it direct but I'll pay on the day (always preferred to up front in case things change) and do online check-in and just take off when I get there.

Expedia.com.au for a Fullsize (with Alamo) came in at $505 USD ($708 AU) and 3% cashback on pricepal.
Might just be me but I'm always hesitant about 3rd party sites, no matter how good they may be

Just be aware booking direct to most site do not include insurances , they get you when you get there and often more than the actual car rental

 

[Caito]

Me again
Alamo via expedia have a Tahoe for $954 US not sure how you prefer to do your car hire, in US or AU

 

[Caito]

Alamo includes all that jazz as does Hertz and Enterprise.
The 3 times I've rented myself in the US, they've all been charged at what the booking was.
Other times, same scenario.
Never had them pushed on me either or maybe I'm driving around with no insurance

 

[raleyoz]

just checked Expedia and as far as i can tell they dont include Unlimited Mileage, Taxes & Fees, LDW/CDW, SLI, UMP, Theft Protection
in their price
happy if i'm wrong , but you wont be if i'm right

 

[raleyoz]

Alamo includes all that jazz as does Hertz and Enterprise.
The 3 times I've rented myself in the US, they've all been charged at what the booking was.
Other times, same scenario.
Never had them pushed on me either or maybe I'm driving around with no insurance

IME the rental companies assume you are a USA citizen and thereefore you would be covered by there normal car insurance, but if you are a tourist then you might find this out when it is too late

 

[Caito]

Unlimited miles are included.
Total includes taxes and fees - but what fees they are, they'll never tell.
From Expedia 'The total price includes all mandatory taxes and fees. May not include mandatory insurance charges that are required for certain international rentals. '

But that's why I book direct because I get a breakdown of the price and know what I'm getting

 

[N860CR]

alamo.co.uk seems to give better prices than the US website. I booked a full size for a day in CA and it was 27GBP with the insurances

 

[sausagefingers]

cancelled my Hertz Reservation for the Ford Explorer and picked up a Chevrolet Tahoe for literately half the price with the same insurances all included.

 

[prozac]

I cannot speak with any authority on US car hire as I have never done it. My experience with car hire in Europe was to use my Amex to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. This guarantees a 10% discount and potential vehicle upgrade if over a 5 day hire. The upgrade is likely if you choose a high turnover outlet. For me this meant an upgrade from my deliberately booked low spec Volvo manual to a brand new Merc Wagon. Cost aud$52/day.