USA Rental Companies - Best value

[ozjuice]

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.

Where did you get the information that you get a potential upgrade just for joining a free membership deal? I'm President Circle and have to be lucky to get upgraded.

 

[prozac]

Whooooaaaaa, don't shoot me just for passing something along!

Where did you get the information that you get a potential upgrade just for joining a free membership deal? I'm President Circle and have to be lucky to get upgraded.

So am I now (Pres Circle) but wasn't then. It was offered through amexconnect.

 

[ozjuice]

Whooooaaaaa, don't shoot me just for passing something along!



So am I now (Pres Circle) but wasn't then. It was offered through amexconnect.

Wasn't shooting anyone but wondering where you got that info from. Unless you meant Gold five star? Then you get upgrades.

 

[NoName]

I found this post (by aussiedom) extremely thorough and very helpful:

LAX car hire

Ive actually got it pasted into a document I've compiled for planning a trip to the US later in the year.

 

[prozac]

Complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® Status

Valid from 01 March 2016 to 31 December 2016


Whether it’s business or leisure, with Hertz you’ll always find your way. Enrol into the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards[SUP]®[/SUP] loyalty programme now and take advantage of your special Hertz privileges, exclusive to you. With more cars and a wider choice at over 8,500 locations across 150 countries, Hertz is your perfect partner for the journey ahead.

As a Cardmember enrolled into the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards[SUP]®[/SUP] loyalty programme, you will enjoy a range of exclusive benefits* at participating locations across the world:

• Value: 10% discount off standard rates.
• Comfort: One car class upgrade (applicable to standard vehicles only and valid for rentals of 5 consecutive days or more, subject to availability)
• Choice: Fee-waived additional driver

This worked great for me last September in Europe. I was a nothing Hertz member, now Presidents Circle. I was treated like a valued customer when I collected vehicle, and told by different employees, "We always look after our Gold members." Top service in Europe, but do no know how this translates in USA.

https://network.americanexpress.com/connect/au/en/offer_detail.html?offer=tcm:584-146293

 

[Caito]

My gold membership is making prices higher when I log in.Still keeping an eye on it though

 

[prozac]

My gold membership is making prices higher when I log in.Still keeping an eye on it though

You need to set up your profile. Accept the insurance waiver...sorry I cannot recall what the nomenclature is on the form. It sounds crazy that you accept the insurance and it becomes cheaper but it does.

Set up your Profile like this;
Vehicle Preferences
Australian Optional Insurances:
Decline All Optional Services: Decline

New Zealand Optional Services: Accident Excess Reduction: Accept
Personal Accident Insurance: Decline
Personal Effects Coverage: Decline


United States

Loss Damage Waiver: Accept
Liability Insurance Supplement: Accept
Liability Insurance Supplement (Rentals commencing in California Only): Decline
Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects : Accept

Europe, Middle East and Africa

EMEA Optional Insurance:

Collision Damage Waiver: Accept
Theft Protection: Accept
Super Cover: Decline
Personal Insurance/Personal Accident Insurance : Decline

EMEA Optional Services:
NeverLost, The In-Car Navigation System: Decline

 

[Caito]

Thanks Prozac.
Tried that and it went from $1977 to $3606 :shock:

 

[prozac]

Thanks Prozac.
Tried that and it went from $1977 to $3606 :shock:

No need to thank me. Phone Hertz and ask how to set up your profile particularly for your destination. If the operator does not know how to do that HUACA. My Euro rental was around $3200 and dropped to around $1200 when the profile was organised.

 

[Flashback]

Don't forget you can always cover the insurance using something like http://www.worldwideinsure.com/car-hire-excess-insurance.php

 

[ozjuice]

So Hertz are promoting a discount on their main website for rentals in USA & CA. $30 off.
If i use the code it quotes the price in US dollars. If i don't use the code and log in it used AUS Dollars. The discount makes my quote actually $125 Aus more expensive. WTF?

 

[raleyoz]

I had Avis Preferred with a Corporate Wizard Number and i always had this issue , the quotes came out more expensive when i applied deals.

FWIW, Still cant recommend americacarrental.com. enough, just had a break in my rental in SFO , smashed the passenger rear window and stole a heap of gear, got back to Dollar and they said all sorted insurances were included so no cost, love it!!!

 

[madmouse58]

Online: Dollar has a really bad rep, and Alamo has a good rep

When I rented with both (Dollar on WestCoast, Alamo on EastCoast), I had a better experience with Dollar than I did with Alamo.

Dollar were the cheapest on the Westcoast and Alamo was the cheapest on the EastCoast for me.

I went through carhire3000 for Dollar and Expedia (AUS and US) for Alamo eastcoast. I recommend statying away from Expedia US for bookings as the included insurance varies.

 

[Caito]

Anyone used SIXT in the USA?
Lots of mixed reviews on google

 

[trooper]

Id be a little concerned about that insurance Flashback linked to... it says it replaces CDW... but is CALLED EXCESS REDUCTION Insurance...

Wildly different things... which is it?

 

[Caito]

Id be a little concerned about that insurance Flashback linked to... it says it replaces CDW... but is CALLED EXCESS REDUCTION Insurance...

Wildly different things... which is it?

What/who is that for?

 

[AnnaB]

Sorry for reviving such an old thread but as I am looking into rentals as well, I thought this might be better. A lot has been covered already and I have been getting quite a few great tips in this one

I am wondering what you think of renting through Americacarrental ? They want $1380 for a Hyundai SantaFe incl additional driver, one way fee, LDW/CDW, SLI, Theft Protection, Free Tank of Fuel and unlimited mileage. Driving out of LAX, the car is at Alamo but through the above third party.

Other quotes we have are from Argus Car hire, Toyota Rav 4, incl unlimited mileage, CDW, TP, TW, and I think additional driver for $1080 (Hertz)
Also Argus, Hyundai SantaFe, incl. unlimited mileage, CDW, TP, TW, and I think additional driver for $1143
A Ford Escape through Argus comes in at $970

Our quotes are all for 21 days in June-July. Are these ok quotes? What company would you go with? As it seems it is basically Alamo, Thrifty or Hertz through Americacarrentals or Argus.

Happy for all feedback I can get.

Personally I have never had problems with third party car rentals before, but then again, I have never rented in the US either.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sorry for reviving such an old thread but as I am looking into rentals as well, I thought this might be better. A lot has been covered already and I have been getting quite a few great tips in this one

I am wondering what you think of renting through Americacarrental ? They want $1380 for a Hyundai SantaFe incl additional driver, one way fee, LDW/CDW, SLI, Theft Protection, Free Tank of Fuel and unlimited mileage. Driving out of LAX, the car is at Alamo but through the above third party.

Other quotes we have are from Argus Car hire, Toyota Rav 4, incl unlimited mileage, CDW, TP, TW, and I think additional driver for $1080 (Hertz)
Also Argus, Hyundai SantaFe, incl. unlimited mileage, CDW, TP, TW, and I think additional driver for $1143
A Ford Escape through Argus comes in at $970

Our quotes are all for 21 days in June-July. Are these ok quotes? What company would you go with? As it seems it is basically Alamo, Thrifty or Hertz through Americacarrentals or Argus.

Happy for all feedback I can get.

Personally I have never had problems with third party car rentals before, but then again, I have never rented in the US either.

I've prebooked a car for the US for 35 days from July 3. I did a lot of research and the best deal I could find was with hertz in Australia directly. Prepaid to lock in the rate. Google for some discount codes and you may also be able to find a great rate.

 

[AnnaB]

Thanks Dr Ralph, I have been using Hertz frequently before when travelling in Europe, but the prices on their own website are quite bad at the moment. Perhaps I just need to wait a bit

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks Dr Ralph, I have been using Hertz frequently before when travelling in Europe, but the prices on their own website are quite bad at the moment. Perhaps I just need to wait a bit

Try some different discount codes. I saved over 30% using 2098404