Anybody make back up car rental reservations?

[SleepyatDVC]

With all the problems people may have when they get to the car rental agency - long lines, car unavailability, hard upsell, different prices, dirty cars, horrible customer service - do any of you make a back up reservation at another car rental agency (next best price)?

This way if you get frustrated at the one with the best price, you have the option of walking away to another agency and not have to pay for walk up rates.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Grace,
I did that once, years ago. First with Hertz and backup with Budget. Hertz would not honor the rate they quoted me saying that I had to have reconfirmed it 30 days before expiration, but nicely offered me a "reduced walkup rate" which was double the rate they had quoted me.
Soooooooooooo, I just walked over to Budget's counter (this was back when Hertz was onsite at the airport in 91) and grabbed the same rate that I had at Hertz and ended up with an upgrade to boot.
Have not done that since I only use Alamo and National now and they always honor what you are quoted, especially if you keep your printout (more for National than for Alamo). I have yet to get a hard upsell from either of these, but, Budget did try in 91 and 92.
Just say NO with conviction and you will be fine.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

I agree with Gail!

 

[sgtdisney]

I always have a backup reservation. After one horrible experience I had with Alamo, I vowed to always have something to fall back on.