Car Hire California/Nevada
Discussion
To follow on from a previous thread on an American roadtrip for our honeymoon, we've been looking at hire cars.
The choices ideally would be a Mustang Covertible from LA to San Fran, and then a 4x4 from San Fran to Las Vegas. Prices very wildly, and seemingly with no justification.
We've ended up reserving cars through Hertz, but are concerned that they're missing off hidden charges from their quotes, even the 'finalised' email ones...
As an example we've hired a Chevy Trailblazer for 5 days, which if we paid up front, would cost 451GBP; as we've elected to pay on collection, this is currently 427USD. This 'pay on collection' option includes a big list of taxes and charges, but doesn't mention a 300USD 'one-way' drop off fee. Adding 300USD to 472USD comes out at around 450GBP, which is pretty much the 'pay now' price, which does detail a 300USD drop-off.
I emailed the Hertz customer services, who simply said 'check your confirmation email'; well I did, and it doesn't mention a drop-off fee. In the UK they wouldn't be able to get away with hidden charges, but I'm sceptical that they can do internationally - surely if there's a $300 drop-off when we pre pay, there'll be a surprise charge at the airport, which is a damn near 75% increase...
So, any advice? And for those who have rented cars (preferably something interesting), what did you rent, and where did you rent it from?
I know that we're going to have to take a big hit on the two booked cars if we go to the airport and they spring it on us - after all, not having the cars means that honeymoon is ruined and we'll be over a barrell - I just wish that they didn't decide to do business this way.
I'd also read and been told that one-way charges weren't applicable between airports in California and Nevada due to the tourism, and particularly with Hertz.
Any thoughts?
Cheers.
The choices ideally would be a Mustang Covertible from LA to San Fran, and then a 4x4 from San Fran to Las Vegas. Prices very wildly, and seemingly with no justification.
We've ended up reserving cars through Hertz, but are concerned that they're missing off hidden charges from their quotes, even the 'finalised' email ones...
As an example we've hired a Chevy Trailblazer for 5 days, which if we paid up front, would cost 451GBP; as we've elected to pay on collection, this is currently 427USD. This 'pay on collection' option includes a big list of taxes and charges, but doesn't mention a 300USD 'one-way' drop off fee. Adding 300USD to 472USD comes out at around 450GBP, which is pretty much the 'pay now' price, which does detail a 300USD drop-off.
I emailed the Hertz customer services, who simply said 'check your confirmation email'; well I did, and it doesn't mention a drop-off fee. In the UK they wouldn't be able to get away with hidden charges, but I'm sceptical that they can do internationally - surely if there's a $300 drop-off when we pre pay, there'll be a surprise charge at the airport, which is a damn near 75% increase...
So, any advice? And for those who have rented cars (preferably something interesting), what did you rent, and where did you rent it from?
I know that we're going to have to take a big hit on the two booked cars if we go to the airport and they spring it on us - after all, not having the cars means that honeymoon is ruined and we'll be over a barrell - I just wish that they didn't decide to do business this way.
I'd also read and been told that one-way charges weren't applicable between airports in California and Nevada due to the tourism, and particularly with Hertz.
Any thoughts?
Cheers.
DaGuv said:
had so much trouble with hertz at lax. rubbish service! we used dollar in the end. much cheaper and better service
Never had trouble with Hertz except, once with a very long queue. Last time, I dropped of my car at LAX in December, they saw how much luggage I had with my family, and they offered to drive me back to the terminal rather than unload the car and get on the bus. Whatever you do, book and prepay the car on the UK site and all the taxes are included - works out much cheaper. Hertz has a lot of Ford cars, so you are more likely to get a Mustang. My usual method to get one is to book something like a Mazda 6, then when I get to the desk, ask for a free upgrade, sometimes I get one, othertimes they ask what I want and say it will cost a small amout more per day. I usually pay $5-$15 extra per day for a Mustang or Mustang convertible. At Avis, your more likely to get a Chrysler Sebring convertible.Never had a problem with Hertz, and never had a hidden charge. Had a Corvette in Vegas last summer, and a Shelby Mustang the year before, and various 4 x 4s for the Tahoe trips, and a C300 at Xmas, and..., and..., and lots of run of the mill stuff over the years.
But the pick-up at all US car hire companies seems absolutely dreadful. It is quite unbelievable how much typing thay have to do into their wee machines just to record a simple pre-booked rental. All companies seem to be equally poor at this. If there is the option to use one of the self-service kiosks then use it. I can't recall any time I've ever managed to pick up a rental car at a US airport in less then half an hour, and this is something I do 3 or 4 times every year. Only 'quick' option is a 'down-town' office (or hotel pick-up) where you can often find there isn't a queue, and it's only your own collection that'll take the best part of 15 minutes!
But the pick-up at all US car hire companies seems absolutely dreadful. It is quite unbelievable how much typing thay have to do into their wee machines just to record a simple pre-booked rental. All companies seem to be equally poor at this. If there is the option to use one of the self-service kiosks then use it. I can't recall any time I've ever managed to pick up a rental car at a US airport in less then half an hour, and this is something I do 3 or 4 times every year. Only 'quick' option is a 'down-town' office (or hotel pick-up) where you can often find there isn't a queue, and it's only your own collection that'll take the best part of 15 minutes!
tvrolet said:
Never had a problem with Hertz, and never had a hidden charge. Had a Corvette in Vegas last summer, and a Shelby Mustang the year before, and various 4 x 4s for the Tahoe trips, and a C300 at Xmas, and..., and..., and lots of run of the mill stuff over the years.
But the pick-up at all US car hire companies seems absolutely dreadful. It is quite unbelievable how much typing thay have to do into their wee machines just to record a simple pre-booked rental. All companies seem to be equally poor at this. If there is the option to use one of the self-service kiosks then use it. I can't recall any time I've ever managed to pick up a rental car at a US airport in less then half an hour, and this is something I do 3 or 4 times every year. Only 'quick' option is a 'down-town' office (or hotel pick-up) where you can often find there isn't a queue, and it's only your own collection that'll take the best part of 15 minutes!
I joined the gold club last year as my employer had a deal to join for free. No more queues and everything is ready when I show up. Even when I upgrade the car, it takes no more than a few mins. now.But the pick-up at all US car hire companies seems absolutely dreadful. It is quite unbelievable how much typing thay have to do into their wee machines just to record a simple pre-booked rental. All companies seem to be equally poor at this. If there is the option to use one of the self-service kiosks then use it. I can't recall any time I've ever managed to pick up a rental car at a US airport in less then half an hour, and this is something I do 3 or 4 times every year. Only 'quick' option is a 'down-town' office (or hotel pick-up) where you can often find there isn't a queue, and it's only your own collection that'll take the best part of 15 minutes!
If you want a Mustang, make sure you check you actually will get one, and that it doesn't say "Mustang or similar" - in which case you are pretty much guaranteed to have a Chrysler Sebring.
I think from memory the UK versions of the rental sites were more useful for transparent costs. I used Avis for a similar trip, partly because the one way fee was paid upfront rather than "a fee may apply".
I think from memory the UK versions of the rental sites were more useful for transparent costs. I used Avis for a similar trip, partly because the one way fee was paid upfront rather than "a fee may apply".
Edited by Hub on Thursday 21st January 13:03
LilCat said:
I think Hertz are offering free upgrade to gold if you apply before 31st Jan.
Also, if you prepay make sure your vouchers/ confirmation states that this car has been pre paid! Grrrr
Also, if you prepay make sure your vouchers/ confirmation states that this car has been pre paid! Grrrr
My brother pre-paid for a Navigator and money was taken from his account prior to us arriving at the Hertz desk yet they refused to believe him and charged him again whilst he was at the counter. When he told them that the money had been taken from his account they said "Ring your bank and prove it".
Pretty retarded of them really considering he has been a good customer to them.
My advice would be to make sure that your paperwork shows that ALL charges are included and as lilCat says, make sure the paperwork states that it is indeed a pre-paid voucher.
Book your USA hire car(s) via the rental company's UK website and pre-pay for them, it's cheaper and it's all in with no extra charges levied. I've done this loads of times, if you don't do it this way and organise the car when you arrive you'll find the clerk on the desk adding all manner of extra charges to the basic price so in an instance the daily rate will increase from say $50 to nearer $90.
Also check if you can take the car out of one State into another, some renters allow it, some won't allow it and some charge extra, if you ignore this fact and your involved in an accident in a different State the Renter will invalidate the insurance and that's the last thing you need in the land of lawyers and mega-claims.
You don't say when your going, but if it's over summer avoid the rag-top's, (1) it's obvious that your a tourist as the locals don't put their roofs down in summer as it's too hot and you'll burn to a cinder, (2) driving through parts of Frisco and LA do not lend themselves to having the roof down, (3) the air-con systems in most cars are ample enough to keep cool.
I would personally recommend blending into the forest by having a Jeep and hiring it from Avis via the UK web-site.
Have a good trip and if you can, drive the Big Sur Coast road between San Francisco and LA then carry on down to San Diego, the views are awesome.
Also check if you can take the car out of one State into another, some renters allow it, some won't allow it and some charge extra, if you ignore this fact and your involved in an accident in a different State the Renter will invalidate the insurance and that's the last thing you need in the land of lawyers and mega-claims.
You don't say when your going, but if it's over summer avoid the rag-top's, (1) it's obvious that your a tourist as the locals don't put their roofs down in summer as it's too hot and you'll burn to a cinder, (2) driving through parts of Frisco and LA do not lend themselves to having the roof down, (3) the air-con systems in most cars are ample enough to keep cool.
I would personally recommend blending into the forest by having a Jeep and hiring it from Avis via the UK web-site.
Have a good trip and if you can, drive the Big Sur Coast road between San Francisco and LA then carry on down to San Diego, the views are awesome.
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