Budget v. US Rent A Car

[Twilight Terror]

Just been looking at both US Rent a Car and Budget direct to try and figure out who is better - the rates are almost the same, or just a little bit cheaper with Budget direct, compared to Gold coverage on USRAC.

My question is, which is better in terms of insurance and coverage? I would rather pay a few extra ££s to one and get full, complete, no need to worry coverage, than save a few ££s now and get stung if something goes wrong while out there! So, answers on a postcard please!

 

[anthony2k7]

I have a similar questions so hope you dont mind me kinda hijacking your thread!

Is Gold level with usrentacar for a dollar car the same as Platinum is with virgin? ie, no need to worry about petrol, additional drivers or anything really!?

 

[Twilight Terror]

No, you're fine - hijack away! lol I don't know the exact answer to your question, other than if you're taking our Virgin's car hire, you have to take the highest (most expensive) insurance in order to cover you for America! How they compare, I have no idea!

 

[powerranger]

the gold cover with usrentacar covers you for all the insurances, extra drivers and petrol. It is the same as the virgin platinum I believe.
Where did you get a quote from Budget that is the same as usrentacar, as i tried to compare them and Budget were miles dearer (twice the price).

 

[Twilight Terror]

I was using Budget.co.uk direct. The 4dr Ford Taurus is £403.13 with Budget.co.uk. There's a free upgrade to the Ford Taurus available with USRentACar, and it's £367.00 for basic, or £419 for Gold. So normal is cheaper than direct, Gold is more expensive.

What I want to know is whether the coverage I get with Budget is as adequate as Gold with USRentACar. If not, then I'd rather spend the extra £16 and go with USRentACar.

 

[powerranger]

Yeh I checked the dates for the Focus and it was similar too. But when I check for the 7 seat suv it is double the price on budget

anyway to answer your question the insurances are the same only difference is with Gold cover at usrentacar you get more additional drivers and a free tank of fuel.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Yeh I checked the dates for the Focus and it was similar too. But when I check for the 7 seat suv it is double the price on budget

anyway to answer your question the insurances are the same only difference is with Gold cover at usrentacar you get more additional drivers and a free tank of fuel.

WOW! Yeah, just had a look a those prices! So, the question is, I suppose, is a whole tank of gas worth £16? lol

 

[Twilight Terror]

Been having a very detailed look at how the prices compare this afternoon. It seems that despite the free upgrades and gold insurance, the Taurus and Escape (Explorer XLT) are cheaper through Budget direct. The Fusion (Chrysler) and Freestar Minivan are roughly the same (between £5 and £15 difference), then the Expedition is stupidly priced at Budget, and nice and cheap at US Rent a Car!!!

 

[Lizzybear]

AFAIK they are the same, I went through the insurance T&Cs with a finetooth comb and can't find anything different. I have 2 Budget bookings this year, one with usrentacar and the other with Budget direct. First is a one-way rental, NY to MA, which was cheaper to do direct with a code I found and the second is Orlando which was cheaper with usrentacar taking into account the free upgrade to an intermediate.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Cool. I am actually looking into the Freestar minivan. It's about £3 more expensive direct, than with gold rent-a-car, however, Quidco offer cashback, which works out at about £38. So, it's a toss up...

 

[luchamouse]

Hi guys, can I jump into this discussion also?

I am such a numpty when it comes to car hire. I ALWAYS get talked into either an upgrade or more insurance! Does the standard US Rentacar cover me for all legally required insurances? Last year the guy spent 20 minutes, (while the line was backing up and up and up mind you), convincing that we weren't covered. In the end we caved and paid and extra $200. He broke us down

I really don't want to fall for that crap again, but I need to know for sure I'm covered totally before I go and pick up the car.

So my question is, does 'Inclusive' really mean 'Inclusive' with US Rent a Car?

And how do you guys get away from the desk without forking out more money?

 

[Twilight Terror]

I am such a numpty when it comes to car hire. I ALWAYS get talked into either an upgrade or more insurance! Does the standard US Rentacar cover me for all legally required insurances? Last year the guy spent 20 minutes, (while the line was backing up and up and up mind you), convincing that we weren't covered. In the end we caved and paid and extra $200. He broke us down

I really don't want to fall for that crap again, but I need to know for sure I'm covered totally before I go and pick up the car.

So my question is, does 'Inclusive' really mean 'Inclusive' with US Rent a Car?

As far as I am aware, both the coverage from Budget and US Rent a Car are perfectly adequate for America. The only difference in the normal US Rent a Car and the Gold coverage, is a free tax of gas to start with and additional driver(s) insurance.

And how do you guys get away from the desk without forking out more money?

This is the first time we've had a car, so never had to fight to get away from the desk!

 

[wayneg]

So my question is, does 'Inclusive' really mean 'Inclusive' with US Rent a Car?

And how do you guys get away from the desk without forking out more money?

Yes it covers all you have to have unless you want the extras they try sell.
Main one is the roadside assist, cover you if you leave lights on all night, lock keys in car etc, not something I have ever taken but I have heard they try pressure some into buying.

I have rented from Dollar at MCO about 18 times, never once tried hard sell. Since getting express even better get free upgrades and a great services.
Budget MCO never been to main desk, used fastbreak and collected from Kiosk, no sell involved just collect keys.
Alamo MCO nightmare hard sell 8 years ago and no cars left, not used them since.

Only way to avoid hard sell is be very confident, and say no. If you sound as though you are not sure they will keep at you. I have a relative that works at a rental desk, he says they just sense it when people don't know what they are doing and then can talk them into anything they don't need.

 

[luchamouse]

Guys, this is really helpful. I was planning on going with Alamo, (the cheapest by like $8). On your feedback Wayne, I'll book with Dollar. Can I just apply for Express through the Dollar website?

 

[wayneg]

Guys, this is really helpful. I was planning on going with Alamo, (the cheapest by like $8). On your feedback Wayne, I'll book with Dollar. Can I just apply for Express through the Dollar website?

I would not take much notice of my experience with Alamo, it was 8 years ago, they were offsite and Xmas time when there is a shortage of cars. They cope better thease days, onsite, and many rent with them no problems.

If you do go with Dollar, yes you go here http://www.dollar.com/Express/MainNonMember.aspx and register free. When you arrive you go to front of line and bypass the main queue.

 

[luchamouse]

But I'll definitely take notice of your 18 good experiences with Dollar Wayne

You haven't put me wrong yet!

 

[wayneg]

But I'll definitely take notice of your 18 good experiences with Dollar Wayne

You haven't put me wrong yet!

I have had 18 good experiences with Dollar yes, others get the hard sell. Its all down to the agent you get on the day and how you approach them.
Some say cars are better with Alamo, you get to choose from a row.
I have had 2 good rentals now with Budget, free upgrades thru USrentacar and no hard sell, next 2 rentals are both with Budget.
No easy option with car rentals, they all have good and bad agents.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Having had a look at what coverage is available from each company, I can see only one glaring difference:

BUDGET.CO.UK

* Local Tax (TAX)
* Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
* Airport/city surcharge
* Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI)
* Unlimited Mileage
* Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF)


US RENT A CAR - GOLD
* Homeland Security Fees
* LDW = CDW + TP
* Taxes and Airport Fee
* SLI
* Unlimited Mileage
* Uninsured Motorist Protection

The ones in red are where to two vary. Have I misread something? Is one more important than the other?