Car Hire Extra costs

[seobaina]

Hi, we're looking at hiring a car for two weeks in california with either thrifty or alamo. The deal (pre-paid) includes the following:

Air conditioning, automatic transmission, unlimited mileage, Collision & Damage Waiver, Theft Protection, Third-Party Liability Insurance, City/Airport Surcharges, Road Tax, VAT/Tax, Additional Liability Insurance for the U.S. and Canada.


I know they'll prob be a fuel tank charge (anyone know how much?) but I also know that they normally hit you with an 'optional' extra insurance cover when you collect the car that is paid 'per day'. Can anyone tell me what this currently is?

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Majority of us on here use companies like www.carhireflorida.net, www.USrentacar.co.uk or www.netflights.com (plus more)
All companies like these supply Alamo or Thrifty cars but you prepay and there is nothing local to pay (unless you want to but certainly your choice as its all in) You also get an option to upgrade to have tank of gas included (Gold/Platinum) this also includes extra drivers.
Check theses out and see how they compare direct with who you have tried, usually its cheaper thru these agents but not always.
Tank of gas, I have always either paid for Gold/Platinum or taken the car back full, never paid the rental company as they usually charge more.

 

[seobaina]

Thanks for the info, will check them out. The thing I was most concerned about though is the 'optional' cost. I know last time I booked via dollar they had an 'optional' insurrance that worked out around $6 a day that covered things like lost keys, etc too. I've looked on one of the sites you suggested and that seems to cover the breakdown but I just wanted to kinda double check I wasn't gonna suddenly get yet another 'you don't have to do it but you're safer if...' cost cause I noticed they offered it to everyone. Thanks

 

[seobaina]

I think it's 'Trip Safe' I'm talking about. Do people get it? And is platinum really worth the extra £60? Thanks

 

[Pegasus928]

I must admit I have never heard of 'Trip Safe' myself so as a result have never had anything like it. Each time we have gone we have taken our car hire with one of the ones in Waynes list above and have also selected the Gold package. This has inculded multiple drivers over 25 and a full tank of fuel plus a higher level of insurance I believe, therefore we have never felt the need to increase our package regardless of any sales push by the rep. (having said that we have never been subjected to a hard sell when picking up the car - maybe we are one of the lucky ones )

 

[wayneg]

I think it's 'Trip Safe' I'm talking about. Do people get it? And is platinum really worth the extra £60? Thanks

The extra insurance is for lost keys, locking keys in your car, leaving lights on all nights etc, I have never been offered it in about 25 rentals but even if they did I wouldn't buy it. All I want is breakdown/accident cover.
Platinum, £60 is probably going a little OTT but I would still consider it for the ease, I like no hassle on arrival and prefer to take the car back empty, I have found taking Gold/Platinum makes the process a lot smoother.
Other company I posted about recently was carhire3000.com they have had some good prices.

This has inculded multiple drivers over 25 and a full tank of fuel plus a higher level of insurance I believe, therefore we have never felt the need to increase our package regardless of any sales push by the rep. (having said that we have never been subjected to a hard sell when picking up the car - maybe we are one of the lucky ones )

Same level of cover if you take All inclusive or Gold/Platinum but it covers everything needed. Thankfully I have never had hard sell with Dollar or Budget, odd one or two have asked if I want upgrade etc Since getting Dollar Express card and using Budget Pre reg can't fault the collection process at either.

 

[seobaina]

Thank you

 

[Pootle]

Platinum, £60 is probably going a little OTT but I would still consider it for the ease, I like no hassle on arrival and prefer to take the car back empty, I have found taking Gold/Platinum makes the process a lot smoother.
Other company I posted about recently was carhire3000.com they have had some good prices.

I always take a van, and like you, normally take the platinum/gold option for ease but this time there is a bigger difference in price than I am used to paying .... £62 with USrentacar but £85 with carhire3000 (who had the cheapest basic price btw). What I found interesting is that with the basic, you buy the tank of fuel upfront (probably at inflated prices) and still take it back empty. I had expected to collect it full and take it back full as per normal, thus incurring no fuel 'charge' apart from my usage. But not so it seems.

The man from cahire3000 (who phoned after my internet interest ) also said they used Dollar at MCO. I think on a previous thread we were informed it was Thrifty?