rental car companies

[juldea]

Can anyone recommend or discommend rental car companies? I'm doing a bit of research.

Also, if you know of a company that doesn't do an under-25 driver fee, please let me know. Just 6 more months...

Comments

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Very satisfied with U-SAVE. We've rented big vehicles to take to Pennsic, and I'm currently renting a Toyota while mine's in the shop.

Adequately satisfied with Merchants Rent-A-Car (now owned by Enterprise), which is where I rent cars for work trips.

Have had some trouble with Enterprise trying to charge me for an extra day when I was 2 hours past the return window - because they had dropped off the car earlier than I had requested.

[oakleaf-mirror.livejournal.com]

If you're talking for local or long term rental, I really don't have much experience with that. My car rental is usually when I've flown someplace, and I need a car while there. In that mode, consistency and convenience outweigh price as factors. It's also been too long since an under-25 fee might have been relevant in my case to recall.

Overall, I've had the most positive experience with Avis. They generally edge out Hertz in my experience, though I'll use Hertz without qualms if they're notably cheaper than Avis in a given market. I've had very mixed results with Budget, and tend to avoid them these days, if Avis or Hertz is an option. I've never used Alamo, though former co-workers have, and they tended to avoid them, afterwards.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

londo and I have a need to be in Philadelphia in mid-October, and neither of us have a car. I, however, have a driver's license. I'm just trying to look at different ways of getting there...

Things are, in general, looking more expensive than I'd like. I get a 5% Hertz discount from my bank which is nice, but it's still $72 for the weekend and I don't know if they'll offer to someone under 25. Sigheth.

I have not yet taken the step of asking friends with cars if they're willing to rent theirs out for a weekend, though. :)

which weekend?

[etherial.livejournal.com]

I was planning on going to Philadelphia in mid-October.

Re: which weekend?

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Ooh... that'd rock.

[caltren.livejournal.com]

I don't know any that don't have an under-25 charge of some kind. Enterprise at least will pick you up and take you to the car or somesuch.

I personally think you should take the train. :-) Get a sleeper car too. ;-) But that's just me being perverse. *grin* Philly, depending upon where you're going, has good PT for you to get around.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Heh. Taking the train is even more expensive than flying, and since it's a day trip there are no sleeper cars! ;)

[ex-krink990.livejournal.com]

hah, no it doesn't :) but i guess, just depending on where you're going

[jargo.livejournal.com]

I've had good luck with Avis, but have also used Alamo and Hertz without incident.

BE SURE to bring along a REAL credit card from a respected financial institution. Most rental car companies will not accept debit or check cards. Call them up beforehand if you're not sure your card will work.

It really sucks to show up to the rental car agency only to be denied because all you have is a visa checkcard.

[ex-krink990.livejournal.com]

you have to call and see which ones will do under-25, and they always charge you a fee. only a few will actually rent to you if you're under.

what about the chinatown bus? or can you get to nyc? train from nyc to philly is $25 roundtrip on NJ transit.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Another friend here clued me in on the Chinatown bus option. Is sketchy but cheap, so if it comes down to that we're set.

However, this friend also said he was planning a trip to Philly in mid-October, so we probably have a ride now. :)

[k1ttycat.livejournal.com]

Glenn and I got a good deal from Enterprise thanks to coupon in our Entertainment book. They also didn't charge us for being under 25, but I think that's solely up to their own discretion. I don't know why they might charge one person and not another. AND they do pick you up, only prob is, (but this is with all rental cars) they will also charge by mile after you go over the set amount. Like I said, we got a good deal, and the woman even through in extra miles, but.... not sure. That's my experience. Oh, and if you want a coupon from my entertainment book, let me know, and I'll fish it out. I have coupons for a few different companies, and you can call around for rates and take the one you want.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thanks... Greg has offered to possibly drive us because he has reason to go to Philadelphia too, but if he can't do it I'll totally take you up on that. :)

[eustacia42.livejournal.com]

All I know is HERTZ SUCKS!!!!

Try enterprise....