Car Rental Question (a newbie renter)

[cutie_dinokun]

Hello!

We're going to Disney soon and have a question regarding car rentals....this is our first time renting a car so there are something I would like to ask....


1) We booked with Avis using a Costco promo code last month. I just checked the rental rates for the same rental period and its higher now. I'm wondering when its time to pay for the rental...will our rental rate remains the same or will it be updated with the current rental rates? In other words...is the rate that we booked a guaranteed rate?

2) Since this will be our first time renting...is there anything we should watch out for (so that we won't be taken advantaged of by any sneaky sales rep...)? I'll be using a Visa that has car rental insurance....so will we be fine if we don't purchase insurance from the rental company?


Thank you to anyone who helps!

 

[Kassidysdad]

Hello!

We're going to Disney soon and have a question regarding car rentals....this is our first time renting a car so there are something I would like to ask....


1) We booked with Avis using a Costco promo code last month. I just checked the rental rates for the same rental period and its higher now. I'm wondering when its time to pay for the rental...will our rental rate remains the same or will it be updated with the current rental rates? In other words...is the rate that we booked a guaranteed rate?

2) Since this will be our first time renting...is there anything we should watch out for (so that we won't be taken advantaged of by any sneaky sales rep...)? I'll be using a Visa that has car rental insurance....so will we be fine if we don't purchase insurance from the rental company?


Thank you to anyone who helps!

Hi - The reservation rate you have is the rate you will pay, you will not pay the higher rate. Always print your reservation and have it with you in case there is an issue - but , it never is.

Your VISA will cover you..I always use my VISA too. As far as being offered other items..just smile and say no thanks

ALSO, INSPECT the car before driving away thoroughly...if you see any scratches , dents, etc..point them out to the lot person that checks you out..that way, you will not be held responsible for those.

Have fun

 

[At World's End]

Keep checking the rates as your trip approaches, it is possible that the rate could go down. If it does, book a new reservation at the lower rate. THEN cancel your existing reservation. DO NOT cancel the first reservation until you have one booked at a lower price. The rates change all the time.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

As long as your reservation says rate guaranteed, no issues with the rate changes that you're seeing now.

As for VISA being your insurance coverage. Just remember the card is secondary to any other insurance, your personal insurance (if you have any) will be first to be charged for any accident. Any out of pocket costs (ie. deductible, damage exceeds current insurance, etc.) will be covered by VISA. VISA also does not cover liability, so damages to another vehicle in an at fault accident would not be covered, nor would medical claims for another person. VISA covers the rented vehicle, nothing more.

 

[cutie_dinokun]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to advise a newbie. We do appreciate it! =)

 

[cutie_dinokun]

Hi - The reservation rate you have is the rate you will pay, you will not pay the higher rate. Always print your reservation and have it with you in case there is an issue - but , it never is.

Your VISA will cover you..I always use my VISA too. As far as being offered other items..just smile and say no thanks

ALSO, INSPECT the car before driving away thoroughly...if you see any scratches , dents, etc..point them out to the lot person that checks you out..that way, you will not be held responsible for those.

Have fun

Thanks for answering my questions! I have 1 more question....if they don't have the class of car that we reserved, will we be charged for the price difference if they have to upgrade us? Thank you =)

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thanks for answering my questions! I have 1 more question....if they don't have the class of car that we reserved, will we be charged for the price difference if they have to upgrade us? Thank you =)

The simple answer is no. However some companies are notorious for putting pressure on the customer to upgrade in attempt to make revenue; even though if the customer doesn't pay the upgrade, they only have an upgraded car available anyways.

A good company will put you in a larger class of vehicle if they are sold out of your class with no pressure or hesistation.

You didn't mention what company you choose to rent through, so without that, it's hard to give an opinion to what you most likely will or will not expect.

The only other item I think it's important to know is that rental car companies often have a different car class system then consumers do. A midsize car to a rental company is more like a compact for consumers. For frequent travelers, we call this class creep.

 

[cutie_dinokun]

The simple answer is no. However some companies are notorious for putting pressure on the customer to upgrade in attempt to make revenue; even though if the customer doesn't pay the upgrade, they only have an upgraded car available anyways.

A good company will put you in a larger class of vehicle if they are sold out of your class with no pressure or hesistation.

You didn't mention what company you choose to rent through, so without that, it's hard to give an opinion to what you most likely will or will not expect.

The only other item I think it's important to know is that rental car companies often have a different car class system then consumers do. A midsize car to a rental company is more like a compact for consumers. For frequent travelers, we call this class creep.

Hi! Thank you for letting me know =).

We will be renting from Avis (the Hilton location). We're just renting the car for a few days to go to various Disney resorts for Christmas decoration sightseeing, the Florida Mall and the Mall at Millenia.


Once again, thank you so much!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

We will be renting from Avis (the Hilton location). We're just renting the car for a few days to go to various Disney resorts for Christmas decoration sightseeing, the Florida Mall and the Mall at Millenia.

You shouldn't have any issues at Avis.