Taking a trip. Rental cars vary in price significantly

[gabester]

I'm experiencing a strange phenomenon. Checking rental cars near and slightly further away from my destination airport, and I'm finding disparate prices on sub/compact cars. A couple in the $10-$20/day range, right within spitting distance of the airport. A couple others at the same range for the same class of cars at $25-$35. Same chain of the former category, FURTHER away from the airport, also in that range.

Anyone have any discount codes to share? I rarely travel and don't stockpile such things. Looking to rent for <$100 for 4 days.

[Racer X]

any premium credit cards with travel benefits attached? AAA membership? USAA membership? Costco membership? Member of any professional organizations?

[gabester]

Nope. Nope. Nope. Nopers. Nada. Zilch!
Enterprise and Payless Cars both come in at $100 for "intermediate" corolla class sedans, though, so I think I'm set. Just don't understand why other Enterprise locations further from the airport are more expensive... and why the only other car rental near the airport matching Enterprise's price is no-name and off-site.

[TL]

Airport locations, by virtue of location at the airport, generally have to charge a whole bunch of extra fees. Most cities see it as their civic duty to fund various local expenses by charging travelers, and that means airport concessions fees are tacked onto rental cars, shopping, hotels, etc. Off-airport locations aren't charged these extra fees by the cities they are in, and also tend to have lower fixed costs such as lower real estate/leasing fees for their facilities, so they can turn that into lower rental costs.

[gabester]

TL wrote:
Most cities see it as their civic duty to fund various local expenses by charging travelers, and that means airport concessions fees are tacked onto rental cars

I get that, but I'm not seeing it in this case... which has me confused or worried I'll arrive at my destination and have a problem.

[richorlin]

If you're a Costco member, I've always gotten good deals through http://costcotravel.com
I just booked Ford Escape-size rentals for both Florida and California for around $225 a week.

The only problem is that it being Costco, you have to rent six of them LOL.

[Black]

I don't see how you can really bring in a 4 day rental for $25 a day.

[Cary]

I find that Orbitz usually has good rates, and you can easily compare 6 or 7 companies.

Alternately, you can google discount codes, but it takes some experimentation to discover what each does in the location that you're using the code for.

[Frank]

Are you over 50 yrs? AARP discounts are pretty good.

[SteveO]

Rental cars are such a hassle finding the lowest price. I've had similar experiences. Sometimes the airline you book with will have some discounts. I usually just go with Costco. A $50 yearly membership may yield that savings on your first rental car, so it may be worth taking a look.