https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:32:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2528323 Tue, 19 Apr 2016 06:07:57 +0000 808love 2528323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another place to look for deals is Autoslash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2528294 Tue, 19 Apr 2016 02:01:18 +0000 Boogs 2528294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Costco and AAA usually have some of the better prices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2528176 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 20:29:26 +0000 maddyz 2528176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Costco travel has good prices sometimes, is worth a check if you are a member. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527958 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:23:51 +0000 lawbee11 2527958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have any of the Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards? (Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire?) I've always found the best deals through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. We're renting a mini van in July and the price I got through the portal was half what I found directly through the company. It was even lower than Costco's price (which is usually pretty low as well). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527957 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:23:26 +0000 avivoca 2527957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Our corporate is with Enterprise and I'm usually really pleased with them. But this one time, they were out of cars (literally, they were driving 1.5 hours away to get cars) because of the recall. I ended up cancelling my reservation and having a friend pick me up at the repair shop when it was clear that I could not drive my car to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527953 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:20:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2527953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Yea. We just did the corporate switch from Avis to Enterprise and I am NOT impressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527950 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:16:58 +0000 avivoca 2527950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I will say that I'm a little pissed with Enterprise right now. I rented a car because mine was going to be in the shop and they called me the day of (at 7:30 in the morning) to tell me that they wouldn't have a car for me at 8:00. They could get me one by noon, but they got snippy when I requested at least a small sedan (not a Fiat) because a carseat needed to fit in it and they basically told me I would get what I would get. It's because of the Honda airbag recall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527916 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:54:24 +0000 gingerbebe 2527916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find Kayak to be the easiest aggregator to use. Most of the time at airports, I find Thrifty or Enterprise to be the cheapest. Pay attention to the location of the desk - some of the cheaper ones are off terminal and you have to take a shuttle or something and that's just annoying with all your luggage.</p> <p>If there isn't a huge price difference, we totally prefer Hertz over all the other companies. DH is at the point where he doesn't really care about the price difference anymore because they are just so much easier to deal with and we always get a good quality vehicle. We've had some BAJANK cars with Alamo and Dollar, ick. Enterprise is pretty cheap, but on more than a few occasions, they've not had the level of car I've reserved and then made me upgrade to the next higher level for like $3-5 more a day. Which isn't a huge deal, but that's still annoying.</p> <p>If you have a Visa Signature or Amex card, they usually come with some kind of complimentary rental car coverage, but its usually just for sedans - they wont cover SUVs or minivans or speciality cars unless you get additional coverage. We always decline the rental company's coverage and just use one of our cards knowing its covered.</p> <p>Whichever company you go with, once you reserve, sign up for whatever their rewards program is. Usually, they have some special desk for those members and you can skip the longer lines and get to your car faster. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527898 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:43:40 +0000 catlady 2527898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had great luck with doing the Name Your Own Price thing on Priceline. We don't bother with the insurance through the rental company.</p> <p>One thing that's not a money saver but just something we prefer is that we used to do the cheapest car (Economy or whatever) but now we usually go up one or two levels (to Midsize) because we have found that it's usually not too much more expensive and generally a much nicer ride. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527865 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:16:55 +0000 avivoca 2527865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use Enterprise exclusively because my husband gets awesome perks through his company. If you sign up for their rewards program, you get points for every rental and can get free rentals once you build up enough points. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527853 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:11:07 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2527853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All good advice so far.<br /> -Do check both your cc &amp; car insurance policies for coverage, but having worked at a car rental place, their add-on insurance is really just a money maker for the rental company. Most people have sufficient coverage already, or can get it cheaper on your own than from the rental company.<br /> -Same with the gas options. I don't think it is ever cheaper to go with their options. It's easier &amp; cheaper IMO to bring it back at whatever level you rented at (usually full, but not always). Also, you can usually fill up many miles away from the drop off location for cheaper than near airport (if that's where you're picking up) &amp; still have the gauge register full, so this is another way to save.<br /> -Most rental companies do allow cancellations right up to the pick-up date, so track prices, but don't be afraid to reserve something early as long as it isn't prepaid.<br /> -Priceline is great for car rentals, but note that you won't know what company you "win" your bid for until you're committed &amp; you prepay for these rentals. You can bid over &amp; over, but I think there's a 24hr(?) wait between bids unless you change the car size, dates or increase your bid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527783 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:12:04 +0000 Mrsbells 2527783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: if you sign up with the emerald club of national rental it is so easy. you reserve the car in advance and then you walk right by the counter and just go pick any car within a certain range including certain SUVs all for the same rate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527748 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:40:17 +0000 looch 2527748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting, I always book directly with the company, usually Hertz. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527642 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:09:35 +0000 MaisyMay 2527642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use holidaycars.com most of the time. They tend to be cheaper than the regular websites and you can choose which agency you book through them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527631 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:01:17 +0000 yoursilverlining 2527631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will only rent through National now. I don't care about saving a few bucks - the cars I've gotten from multiple other companies have all been across the board junky (even though they are newish cars). </p> <p>I don't get extra insurance through the car company because between my personal insurance and credit cards, I'm all set - but that's something to check. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527607 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:39:02 +0000 pregnantbee 2527607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love using carrentals.com because you don't have to leave a credit card to make a reservation and you can always repeat your search before the trip and rebook then cancel as needed to get the best price. We like using Enterprise because they have good service and cars, but they're all very similar.</p> <p>And as others suggested, definitely ask your insurance about coverage for rentals so you don't have to pay for the rental car insurance. Also, usually rental car companies give you the option of you filling up the gas before returning it or for you to pay a fee and be able to return it empty. Consider how much you'll be driving and if it's worth finding a gas station or if you think you can use a full take and return it empty for the convenience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527594 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:28:24 +0000 Meow 2527594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: I rent cars all the time, and here is my strategy: look up what the price is on Hotwire, then bid 10-20% lower on Priceline. Since you have a lot of time before your trip, play as low ball as possible on Priceline.</p> <p>Sometimes, the Hotwire rates are cancel-able with no penalty in which case I make a reservation with them as a backup in case Priceline bidding doesn't work out. </p> <p>Also, the rates on both websites fluctuate quite a bit so what you see this week may be lower or higher next week. If your trip is many months out from now, I'd look at the rates once a week or so to get an idea of what to expect. </p> <p>If you're looking for a higher class car like a convertible or SUV but all the websites are showing a high price tag, sometimes I get a midsize (or whatever you'd be comfortable settling for) through Hotwire/Priceline then pay a modest upgrade fee at the counter. For several of my Hawaii trips I've gotten a midsize for about $10/day through Priceline then upgraded to a convertible for an extra $10-15/day at the counter. It would've been $50-60/day had I bought a convertible from Priceline from the get go. </p> <p>I've gotten some really nice free upgrades just for asking nicely, from Alamo, Dollar and Avis. (Midsize to full size, midsize to convertible.. That one was my favorite! I paid $10 for a midsize which they upgraded me to a mustang convertible!)</p> <p>Check your employer discounts, big companies often have discount codes with rental car companies. AAA as well.</p> <p>Renting directly through Avis has been my best experience for one way rentals.</p> <p>Most agencies allow spouses to drive without the added extra driver fee. Read the fine print in the contract though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527572 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:11:42 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2527572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, our insurance covers rentals and we usually book on our Amex which covers things like roadside assistance if we were to need it. </p> <p>Usually picking up at a airport will charge an extra airport fee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527567 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:09:34 +0000 raspberries 2527567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our insurance covers rental cars too - definitely check before you pay extra for rental insurance! And we use Kayak to find the best price for rentals - it aggregates prices for flights/hotels/cars to find the best one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527564 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:08:07 +0000 sleepybear 2527564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last time I rented a car I booked through Expedia with my airline tickets, which I think ended up being much cheaper. We've also never done insurance because our car insurance will cover the rental, although last time the rental guy mentioned that insurance companies will usually only cover a rental car as if it's the car you normally drive (ie, if I rented a new mustang and totalled it, my insurance would probably only pay up to the worth of my civic) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527555 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:03:36 +0000 Mamaof2 2527555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: Not sure if its standard or not - best to call your insurance company and ask </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527553 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:02:37 +0000 runnerd 2527553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I didn't think of shopping rentals through a site like priceline! do you know if that's pretty standard for your personal insurance to cover rentals? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527548 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:00:52 +0000 Mamaof2 2527548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always use priceline - best deals to be found!</p> <p>Our insurance covers rental cars so we never get the one they offer </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-for-car-rental-newbie#post-2527544 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:59:00 +0000 runnerd 2527544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never rented a car before. We are planning to rent one for a trip later this year. </p> <p>Do you have a preferred rental company? Who offers the best promos or any tips for price shopping - I have lots of time since this isn't until October. </p> <p>Do you always get some sort of insurance add-on? Is there a base level of insurance you are paying for in the rental fee? </p>