Car hire cock up

[matt21]

PH I need your help to avoid a big old fee.

I have booked a holiday to drive from New York to Miami.

In hindsight I stupidly booked all the hotels before booking the car hire as looking online it was only £250.

As such a lot of it is not reversible, but went to book car hire yesterday and get landed with a whopping $800 fee for dropping car off in another state which is over 1000 miles away.

Any inside hints and tips. Fees are less elsewhere but hire cost is more, so I'm a net £500 worse off that I expected.

My fault, but any tips much appreciated.

[matt21]

Fortunately I haven't booked yet, so haven't spent the $1000 plus.

Was looking to buy a car but compared to here prices are stupid.

Did look to book multiple cars to avoid fees but didn't really save any cash.

Will keep trying!

[matt21]

Tried the RV idea was a good one but going my way didn't work. Clearly more demand NYC to Miami.

Got it below $1000 direct with Hertz. Still not great for one week.

[matt21]

Saleen836 said:

What car are you trying to rent?

I have just done a quote through Hertz for a week in August, pick up JFK and drop off at MIA the pre-pay online price for a Ford Focus or similar is £502!

I am geing a similar price. About $800 for a full size car, Focus is not much cheaper.

Actually picking up in Newark.

Looks like Hertz with a discount code is the way forward...

[matt21]

The Moose said:

Are you able to pick up in a Hertz city location as opposed to JFK?

Actually Newark, but will look around.

[matt21]

Wherever I try once I add taxes and surcharges it soon jumps up.

Struggling to find valid discount codes with Hertz. Anyone able to help?

Other idea is hire a Mustang. That would be cool!

[matt21]

steveo3002 said:

ive got a few codes here , do you have a american express card?

another trick you can try , go onto hertz.es , hertz.ie , fr , de , and so on until you get bored , ive gotten some great deals that way

No AE unfortunately.

Will try Hertz's global sites!