Hertz at LAX

[fsjking]

I need an SUV for our trip coming up in December, flying into LAX. The prices are all really high with the cheapest right at $400(not counting Sixt, but after reading reviews, I wasn't going to use them). I started searching around and found that there is a Hertz at the Hilton right next to LAX and the prices were over half of what the LAX counter prices were. I can get an SUV for $175 for 8 days. The Hilton has an airport shuttle as well, so I should be able to hop a ride on the Hilton Shuttle. Has anyone done this either at this specific location, or with a similar situation? I called the Hertz counter and they said that it should be no problem taking the hotel shuttle, but it seems a little dishonest to me as I'm not staying at that hotel. With the price differential I'd Uber over if it was a problem, or am I just being paranoid?

 

[bumbershoot]

Not sure if I'd do that, but if it makes sense to you, go for it. Sounds like Uber is a nice backup if you can't get on the shuttle.

Be sure to not book anything that can't be changed or cancelled. You still do have time for prices to change; if it goes down, catch that.

And, making sure...you do need a car while in the area? If you're just doing disneyland some people don't feel the need for cars. Or they'll take a shuttle to Disneyland (I use Karmel, personally) and then rent from a nearby place if they need a car. But maybe you're not going to Disney.

 

[jsilvers]

I have stayed at the LAX Hilton and taken the shuttle - you aren't going to be asked to prove that you're staying at the hotel or anything along those lines. And conceptually your use of the shuttle seems "legit" to me since you have business at the hotel, even if you're not staying there - same would be true if you were going to dine there or attend a meeting there.

 

[fsjking]

Not sure if I'd do that, but if it makes sense to you, go for it. Sounds like Uber is a nice backup if you can't get on the shuttle.

Be sure to not book anything that can't be changed or cancelled. You still do have time for prices to change; if it goes down, catch that.

And, making sure...you do need a car while in the area? If you're just doing disneyland some people don't feel the need for cars. Or they'll take a shuttle to Disneyland (I use Karmel, personally) and then rent from a nearby place if they need a car. But maybe you're not going to Disney.

Yeah Disney is less than half of our trip and we have a wide range of places we want to go to, so a car is a must for us.

I have stayed at the LAX Hilton and taken the shuttle - you aren't going to be asked to prove that you're staying at the hotel or anything along those lines. And conceptually your use of the shuttle seems "legit" to me since you have business at the hotel, even if you're not staying there - same would be true if you were going to dine there or attend a meeting there.

That is a good point I hadn't considered. Even if the hotel doesn't own the Hertz franchise, they are certainly collecting rent from them, so they are making money of my rental at least indirectly. And since they run the the shuttle regularly, it's not like I'm asking them to make a special trip. Thanks!

 

[hsmamato2]

good idea! I think no matter what,at LAX you have to take a shuttle to every car rental place,right?

 

[bumbershoot]

good idea! I think no matter what,at LAX you have to take a shuttle to every car rental place,right?

Yep.

 

[hsmamato2]

I still can't beat the first deal I found, months ago- 10 day minivan rental from LAX for 296.00 all in..... they will honor that price, right? I am concerned it's so good they'll charge me more!

 

[fsjking]

I still can't beat the first deal I found, months ago- 10 day minivan rental from LAX for 296.00 all in..... they will honor that price, right? I am concerned it's so good they'll charge me more!

I'm seeing $282 out of the Hilton for a minivan. Granted, you'd have to do the same hotel shuttle that I'm going to have to do, and it's a pay now price. I'd probably just keep the res you have for the $14 difference. I can't see them not honoring your price if you have a confirmation. I guess, as a backup plan, if you get to the counter and they won't honor it, you can always check with the Hilton Hertz and see if they have one available.