USA Car Rental
Discussion
HotJambalaya said:
Was still punchy in vegas, so decided to try out Turo for the first time.
Going well so far, brand new vw Tiguan 8 days for $741
Worth noting that any of the car hire excess insurance you might have doesn’t cover Turo
I booked over NYE in LA from Turo ... in the end I rebooked using Sixt as the prices suddenly dropped. The Turo car owner was expecting me to meet him in a downtown LA parking lot just after getting of a flight in the dark ...... err no. Going well so far, brand new vw Tiguan 8 days for $741
Worth noting that any of the car hire excess insurance you might have doesn’t cover Turo
Sixt ended up offering me a brand new (16 miles only) 430i convertible for a week for $600 including waivers etc ... personally I considered that to be a bloody bargain !
cashmax said:
Thought it might be worth a post because I have seen a few about high prices. I had a car booked for Miami next week and just did another search and discovered the prices are back at a reasonable rate so cancelled and rebooked, saving a few hundred pounds.
yep, ignore the crap advice to book early, cheapest prices are 10-14 days before you need the car, no point booking 16 weeks ahead.arfur said:
HotJambalaya said:
Was still punchy in vegas, so decided to try out Turo for the first time.
Going well so far, brand new vw Tiguan 8 days for $741
Worth noting that any of the car hire excess insurance you might have doesn’t cover Turo
I booked over NYE in LA from Turo ... in the end I rebooked using Sixt as the prices suddenly dropped. The Turo car owner was expecting me to meet him in a downtown LA parking lot just after getting of a flight in the dark ...... err no. Going well so far, brand new vw Tiguan 8 days for $741
Worth noting that any of the car hire excess insurance you might have doesn’t cover Turo
Sixt ended up offering me a brand new (16 miles only) 430i convertible for a week for $600 including waivers etc ... personally I considered that to be a bloody bargain !
Whats on Second said:
yep, ignore the crap advice to book early, cheapest prices are 10-14 days before you need the car, no point booking 16 weeks ahead.
This is terrible advice. The reason it's cheaper in the 10-14 day out period is because previously higher protective (or speculative) rates have been loaded prior to that and there is now a positive fleet situation. Rates are very actively managed 0-14 days out, so the only reason it'd be cheaper would be if the rental company has available fleet and decides to take on more bookings. If they don't, you're f
ked. There are very serious global supply issues just now and you'd be insane not to secure something now. Definitely book something with free cancellation though, and start rechecking 30 days out, 14 days out, 7 days out etc. Whats on Second said:
yep, ignore the crap advice to book early, cheapest prices are 10-14 days before you need the car, no point booking 16 weeks ahead.
I’ve got a Tahoe booked in Boston for a week in May/June for £280. Good luck getting one that cheap 10-14 days in advance.I always book early and then check the prices every week until we go, cancel and rebook if required. Same with hotels.
I would defo agree that booking early is normally the best way to get a decent price, but that goes out the window right now as other have said because they loaded up the early prices due to the stock shortages. Booking early and then checking on a regular basis is always the safe route for rental, accomodation and flights.
Last weekend I switched a trip from LA/Vegas to Orlando (via Tampa) for easter and car hire prices are pretty spectacular for the dates I need them for.
Hertz were $1600+ for an Econ (via the US website), similarly Sixt were mega pricey
Managed to get a full size from Dollar (US site again) for $611
Budget were looking very cheap but are quoting prices excluding taxes, fees and surcharges
Hertz were $1600+ for an Econ (via the US website), similarly Sixt were mega pricey
Managed to get a full size from Dollar (US site again) for $611
Budget were looking very cheap but are quoting prices excluding taxes, fees and surcharges
Did you check the UK site Vs the US site? I've seen a few people saying it's cheaper to buy on .com and buy their own CDW cover, but I've never seen that to be true. The European inbound rates to US are almost always cheaper and that's before you have to consider the additional cover you get included FOC.
I've found that Enterprise is the only site if you use the .com version where it's cheaper, because it doesn't include the CDW by default and you have to select it as an add on. I've tried other .com versions of Hertz, Avis etc from Tampa airport and they seem to include the CDW without the option to take it off.
For example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
For example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
Edited by 75Black on Tuesday 1st March 09:45
75Black said:
I've found that Enterprise is the only site if you use the .com version where it's cheaper, because it doesn't include the CDW by default and you have to select it as an add on. I've tried other .com versions of Hertz, Avis etc from Tampa airport and they seem to include the CDW without the option to take it off.
For example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
I use ReduceMyExcess which with the optional CDW cover is only about £55 for an annual policyFor example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
Edited by 75Black on Tuesday 1st March 09:45
x5tuu said:
75Black said:
I've found that Enterprise is the only site if you use the .com version where it's cheaper, because it doesn't include the CDW by default and you have to select it as an add on. I've tried other .com versions of Hertz, Avis etc from Tampa airport and they seem to include the CDW without the option to take it off.
For example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
I use ReduceMyExcess which with the optional CDW cover is only about £55 for an annual policyFor example, the .co.uk version of Enterprise for my trip to Tampa in September wanted over £900 for the most basic vehicle from the airport for 9 days as it includes the CDW as standard, an off site branch wanted £540 for 8 instead of 9 days, but you'd have to buy the CDW in branch so it's still over £700. Meanwhile the .com version of Enterprise got me a convertible category car for $687 or around £505 from the airport location minus the CDW which I'm buying separately for around £72.
Either way, trips over 7 days are still silly prices for car rentals in the US. Also bearing in mind most of my testing was done using an airport location so your mileage may vary.
Edited by 75Black on Tuesday 1st March 09:45
Timely topic for me, maybe someone can help?
I'm renting a car in Washington DC in May. The prices via .co.uk sites were outrageous but have come down a bit. I ended up booking a Charger/Mustang group car with Enterprise.com for $75/day. Can't get a convertible version which madam thinks will not be great for touring. I have now also booked an X5 with SIXT. All cancellable.
The problem is insurance. The .com sites don't come insured so I am looking at $80/day for their "premium package". I have gone to a few stand alone insurance companies who cover US car hire on annual policies but the small print suggests there is a gap in the cover of no primary liability insurance (3rd party liability).
The policies seem to have CDW/LDW and SLI. Discussions with the insurance companies I have found say the 3rd party SLI is only valid on top of the provided PLI (which the cars don't have). The hire companies don't want to offer a basic PLI cover.
Has anyone else looked into this and found full cover?
On the face of it, these stand alone policies are what I want but when you question the detail the providers are very cagy.
I'm renting a car in Washington DC in May. The prices via .co.uk sites were outrageous but have come down a bit. I ended up booking a Charger/Mustang group car with Enterprise.com for $75/day. Can't get a convertible version which madam thinks will not be great for touring. I have now also booked an X5 with SIXT. All cancellable.
The problem is insurance. The .com sites don't come insured so I am looking at $80/day for their "premium package". I have gone to a few stand alone insurance companies who cover US car hire on annual policies but the small print suggests there is a gap in the cover of no primary liability insurance (3rd party liability).
The policies seem to have CDW/LDW and SLI. Discussions with the insurance companies I have found say the 3rd party SLI is only valid on top of the provided PLI (which the cars don't have). The hire companies don't want to offer a basic PLI cover.
Has anyone else looked into this and found full cover?
On the face of it, these stand alone policies are what I want but when you question the detail the providers are very cagy.
Maxus said:
Timely topic for me, maybe someone can help?
I'm renting a car in Washington DC in May. The prices via .co.uk sites were outrageous but have come down a bit. I ended up booking a Charger/Mustang group car with Enterprise.com for $75/day. Can't get a convertible version which madam thinks will not be great for touring. I have now also booked an X5 with SIXT. All cancellable.
The problem is insurance. The .com sites don't come insured so I am looking at $80/day for their "premium package". I have gone to a few stand alone insurance companies who cover US car hire on annual policies but the small print suggests there is a gap in the cover of no primary liability insurance (3rd party liability).
The policies seem to have CDW/LDW and SLI. Discussions with the insurance companies I have found say the 3rd party SLI is only valid on top of the provided PLI (which the cars don't have). The hire companies don't want to offer a basic PLI cover.
Has anyone else looked into this and found full cover?
On the face of it, these stand alone policies are what I want but when you question the detail the providers are very cagy.
Picking up and dropping off at the airport in Washington? What dates? I just did a quick comparison quote on random dates and a fully insured large SUV came back at £100 per day is that not roughly you’re looking at already but with added hassle?I'm renting a car in Washington DC in May. The prices via .co.uk sites were outrageous but have come down a bit. I ended up booking a Charger/Mustang group car with Enterprise.com for $75/day. Can't get a convertible version which madam thinks will not be great for touring. I have now also booked an X5 with SIXT. All cancellable.
The problem is insurance. The .com sites don't come insured so I am looking at $80/day for their "premium package". I have gone to a few stand alone insurance companies who cover US car hire on annual policies but the small print suggests there is a gap in the cover of no primary liability insurance (3rd party liability).
The policies seem to have CDW/LDW and SLI. Discussions with the insurance companies I have found say the 3rd party SLI is only valid on top of the provided PLI (which the cars don't have). The hire companies don't want to offer a basic PLI cover.
Has anyone else looked into this and found full cover?
On the face of it, these stand alone policies are what I want but when you question the detail the providers are very cagy.
djc206 said:
Picking up and dropping off at the airport in Washington? What dates? I just did a quick comparison quote on random dates and a fully insured large SUV came back at £100 per day is that not roughly you’re looking at already but with added hassle?
You're right. It's 5th to 14th May from Dulles (11 days due to timings). I can see a Tahoe or equivalent for c£100 a day insured. The X5 is £140 a day insured (was c£165 a day recently). My plan was renting the X5/GLE direct at £70/day (which I have) then buying an annual worldwide insurance policy at £100. c£80/day all in. Clever me will have found a way to get the car I want from SIXT and saved a good chunk of money. Or so I thought
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