Best/worst car rental company between Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget

[Dennis S]

The nearest Costco is almost as far as the city I'm going to in the rental. Going to the websites, Budget was 3 times as much as Enterprise. They did offer 30% off for something or other.

[mrbigstuff]

Dennis S wrote:
The nearest Costco is almost as far as the city I'm going to in the rental. Going to the websites, Budget was 3 times as much as Enterprise. They did offer 30% off for something or other.

it's all online. just like going directly to the websites of the companies.

you do it online, pick it up in person at wherever they offer it. again, it's not any less expensive, but it may be worth it for the extras.

[Markintosh]

I have had good experiences and bad experiences with ALL of them. Its a crap shoot, and what you can expect varies widely between airports.

The same rules always apply. Never accept rack rate, ask for the absolute best rate (mentioning AAA, USAA, Costco, credit union and all other options). Don't accept an upgrade if it will be more than you need or cost you a mint in gas. Always minimize purchasing any of their insurance. Use Gas Buddy to investigate gas stations near the return facility the night before you return and return the call FULL, keep your receipt.

Lastly, at the return point, get a receipt showing that you turned the car in and all final charges. Once, I returned a car in SanDiego to Dollar. The agent at the return lot waved me off due to a long return line and said don't worry. Two days later, the SD police dept called asking the whereabouts of the stolen car. It took a lot of calls to straighten it out.

[jdc]

mrbigstuff wrote:
[quote=Dennis S]
The nearest Costco is almost as far as the city I'm going to in the rental.

you do it online, pick it up in person at wherever they offer it. again, it's not any less expensive, but it may be worth it for the extras.
Yep. You dont have to go to a Costco to reserve/rent using costco. You can pick locations for pickup and dropoff.

My chart was for Sac Int airport, 10 mintues away.

Tell me where/when/how long you want and I will look it up for you...

[Gareth]

jdc wrote:
[quote=mrbigstuff]
[quote=Dennis S]
The nearest Costco is almost as far as the city I'm going to in the rental.

you do it online, pick it up in person at wherever they offer it. again, it's not any less expensive, but it may be worth it for the extras.
Yep. You dont have to go to a Costco to reserve/rent using costco. You can pick locations for pickup and dropoff.
But do you NEED to be a member of Costco to use their car rental service? It sounds like it from their web site. And it sounds like Dennis S has no reason to be or become a member.

[Dennis S]

I would have to drive 4+ hours to get to a Costco. Then 4.5 hours to get to my destination. The whole trip is only 7 hours as it is.

[jdc]

Dennis S wrote:
I would have to drive 4+ hours to get to a Costco. Then 4.5 hours to get to my destination. The whole trip is only 7 hours as it is.

Im not sure where the confusion is, but you dont have to go to a costco to pickup the car.

Yeah, I would assume you need to be a member.

Odds are, if the closest one is 4 hours away, not a member. Sams Club?

[Dennis S]

jdc wrote:
[quote=Dennis S]
I would have to drive 4+ hours to get to a Costco. Then 4.5 hours to get to my destination. The whole trip is only 7 hours as it is.

Im not sure where the confusion is, but you dont have to go to a costco to pickup the car.

Yeah, I would assume you need to be a member.

Odds are, if the closest one is 4 hours away, not a member. Sams Club?
I may join it soon.

[Drew]

I have a 10-day rental coming up in a few days. I made a reservation a few months ago, but have been tracking prices since. Have switched about 3 times, but now my rental price is 250 dollars or so less than the first reservation. But done by internet of course.

[vicrock]

I like booking thru Priceline.com - usually blows the doors off rates direct from the companies