Car Rental -advice?

[hsmamato2]

this is not for an Orlando trip- but I need some advice- trying rent out west for a trip that includes Disney a one way rental is CRAZY with the fees charged, anyone have any advice for renting out there? the cheapest seems to be Fox,by hundreds of dollars- yet they have abysmal ratings and reviews.....
what should we do?I am checking discount sites,nothing is really discounted,it seems that cars aren't as plentiful and cheap in Phoenix,not for my dates...any help appreciated!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

One ways are always going to be high, especially if you're crossing outside the general state boundaries (note: often in state drops are cheaper then out of state). Usually there is either a high drop charge or a per mile charge for one way rentals, not much you can do to avoid either.

I think many people on the DIS have a perception issue of what a realistic car rental price would be because they typically rent in Orlando, which has some of the lowest rental prices (and whose airport taxes are pretty low compared to some locations).

Unfortunately the best you can do is look for public codes/coupons and try different combinations (and companies) based on your dates and desired vehicle.

 

[Lewisc]

You need to book something which can be cancelled then keep looking. Try agencies own site, travelocity, kayak,and carrentals.com Try some of the other sites. autoslash (?) Check all car types. First check without any codes then try codes like COSTCO/ AAA. Don't try the bargain codes people use on DIS. They either won't work or might actually give you a higher rate.

Taxes and fees at PHX are even higher then MCO (last time I checked). A $100 rate difference becomes $150 when you add the "extras".

You need to get lucky and make a reservation when the computer indicates a car needs to be moved.

Otherwise you're paying an implied charge for mileage and/or a fee to compensate the rental agency for moving a car back to where it's needed.

PP is correct. The money losing rates we're able to book in Orlando can't be found in most of the country.

A few years ago I lucked out with a PHX-LAS rate with Alamo. I kept looking. Regular (PHX-PHX) rental rates went down. The one way rates kept going up. A few weeks before my trip cars weren't available for one way rental.

Make your reservation when the agency wants to move cars from PHX to CA and you'll get a great rate. Make your reservation when they don't need to move cars and you'll pay $$$$. Keep checking, keep rebooking and hope you get lucky.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Fox is a cheap rental agency because they use older cars (not unusual to rent a car from them with 30,000+ miles), and don't hire enough employees to staff their business. It can take more than an hour standing in line at some of their locations, which seem to never actually be at the airport, (Las Vegas, I'm talking about you!), to get your car. They also try to get you to agree to a pre-paid gas plan which is of course, a rip-off. And make sure your personal car insurance will cover any problems so you don't have to buy their coverage. Besides the horrendous rental line at Las Vegas the time I rented there, I haven't had any problems with them.

 

[Lewisc]

OP didn't give details. PHX pickup, LAX drop off. 8/11-8/18.

COSTCO code (10%) with $30 coupon. Code is up to a 25% discount. My guess is one way rental is the reason the discount is only 10%

Rate is $356 with unlimited miles and second driver.

taxes and fees 170 total 523.

Taxes and fees don't include anything optional:


Taxes, Surcharges and Fees Help Info Customer Facility Charge 6.00/day
$42.00
Concession Recovery Fee 11.11%
$42.56
Stadium Surcharge
$14.22
Vehicle License Surcharge 5 %
$21.88
Trans Priv Tax (11.30%)
$49.45
Subtotal
$170.11
Calculate Estimated Total Estimated Total
$523.15

 

[hsmamato2]

thanks for all the tips.... at least 4 of the major rental places say'no cars' at all.... that costco rate is fantastic....I guess I need to be a member for that...I'll check it out- my dates are 9/24-10/8 2011 PHX-LAX
I assume I'm spoiled by Orlando prices all these years......I'll try all those tricks!

 

[hsmamato2]

Fox is a cheap rental agency because they use older cars (not unusual to rent a car from them with 30,000+ miles), and don't hire enough employees to staff their business. It can take more than an hour standing in line at some of their locations, which seem to never actually be at the airport, (Las Vegas, I'm talking about you!), to get your car. They also try to get you to agree to a pre-paid gas plan which is of course, a rip-off. And make sure your personal car insurance will cover any problems so you don't have to buy their coverage. Besides the horrendous rental line at Las Vegas the time I rented there, I haven't had any problems with them.

I;ve been reading some forums,and Fox is starting to scare me,from the unauthorized charges to the cruddy cars.....

 

[rob4059]

depending on how far out your trip is, I do best directly on the website of the agency. (you need to be 6 months or only 2 weeks out to get a decent rate though). I try to use Avis, Budget, or alamo as all are right in the terminal and won't require a shuttle.

If you can't land a good rate, try priceline. I was getting quotes of 40 -70/day for my August 10 day trip and got accepted for 12/day for a fullsize from alamo. That's a huge savings (Note that I had a ressie from alamo for a compact for 15/day already that I had made six months out so the savings for me was more like 50 bucks and three level upgrade)

 

[Lewisc]

No cars means no cars available, for drop off at LAX, date you requested and for the rate promotion you requested.

Start with not asking for any specific discount. Use something like Kayak.

 

[Lewisc]

Do you want the best possible rate? Willing to work at it?

Your rental period is 2 weeks. PHX has very high fees. Break your rental into at least 2 segments. The work is finding out which location you'll be visiting won't result in an excessive drop fee from your PHX rental, have large surcharges for your new rental and won't result in a large drop fee.

You need to constantly check until you find an agency looking to move a car. I got lucky with the arbitrary date I selected.

As you get closer you might get a great deal. As you get closer agencies may not have any additional cars they want moved out of PHX and you won't be able to find a rental car at any price.

You need to make a reservation then keep looking.