car hire and who to book with

[a jay]

Having been into the travel agent to pay off holiday today, i was checking the details and noticed that the car hire has not been included because the company that first choice had been dealing with have transferred to another company. This is no big deal as i have'nt had to pay anymore but i was just wondering if i did the car hire myself and not through firstchoice would i get a better deal? They have quoted me 460.00 plat cover but i suppose the car would be a mid size compact. Can anyone reccomend a good hire company with competative rates/discount

 

[orangetiggs]

we are using usrentacar.co.uk and we are paying £365 for platinum insurance and the car is a intermediate 4x4 for 15 days end of aug beg of sept are our dates

 

[wayneg]

Same for us, next 3 rentals with USrentacar.co.uk they have offer on for free upgrads with Budget, 2 weeks compact upgraded to intermediate will cost you around £250. extra £40 if you want tank of gas & more than 2 drivers.
Also check these 2, I rent from all 3 companies, whoever is cheapest.
carhireflorida.net
airnet.co.uk

 

[a jay]

That's great, Thanks!

When you book car hite directly with a car hire company do you pay it all at the time of booking or do you pay on collection of the car?
I only ask because i would like to know exactly how much everything will be before we arrive in Orlando.

 

[wayneg]

With these 2 I believe they are pay when you book, if they have not changed.
carhireflorida.net
airnet.co.uk

With USrentacar you pay a £50 deposit then they take the balance about 7 or 8 weeks before you collect the car.

All 3 are paid before you arrive in US, you get a voucher to exchange for the car, depending on agent you get this can be straight forward or if he/she is looking to make extra wages they could try the hard sell. they can try get you to upgrade, rent satnav, extra roadside assist (locking keys in car, leaving lights on etc) try sell you their mother, just say no.

I have Dollar Express or Budget fastbreak cards, saves time at the desks, Dollar you goto the front, Budget totally bypass and goto the kiosk in the carpark, keys will be waiting. Since joining Dollar express I have never had any hardsell and lots of free upgrades. Great service.