Anyone had any experience using gift certificates for car rentals?

[Applemomma]

Hi Folks,

Looking at getting a $50 or $100 gift card from Airmiles to use with my Budget rental car in the fall. Has anyone ever done this? Do you give them the gc upfront or at drop off? Has the attitude of the rental agency changed when you hand them one and suddenly you aren't their favorite customer anymore?

Any heads up might need would be greatly appreciated ....if it's a hassle I'll probably use my points some other way (not that I have that many of them! )

 

[MagiKitty]

I would call the car rental company first. I was going to cash in some miles for a $100 gift certificate from AmEx..but I called Enterprise first. With them, I can use the gift certificate OR a promo code....it ended up being way cheaper to play with promo codes.

I'm sure each company is different, but find out what you need to do first before you cash in some miles and are forced to use the GC.

Good luck!

 

[Applemomma]

Hmmmm....good point. I'll have to do some comparisons. Thanks!