Hiring a car just for a few days

[TCO]

Hi there, on our upcoming trip we fancy venturing outside of the theme parks for the first time and getting a taste of driving to see if we would like an offsite trip next time.

We are thinking of hiring a car for three days in the middle of our trip, would Alamo Brits be the best bet?

Their website says the following is covered:

Collision Damage Waiver
Liability Protection (LP) ($1 million liability coverage)


Does that mean I wouldn't need to take anymore cover out (if I wasn't too bothered about tyres and keys etc)

Thanks for your time, heard horror stories about people getting huge charges at the end of it and want to do what I can to minimise those risks.

 

[Elise79]

For ease you probably want to look for a rental with Alamo.

Yes Alamo Brits will give you all the insurance you need as will any other agency booking in the UK.

Try Virgin as they use Alamo and sometimes have good prices

 

[penlanspice]

Alamo is probably the easiest as you can get them to pick you up and bring you to the car hire centre. I would go with whoever is cheaper, you can pick up dollar and budget from one of the hotels near DTD, get the bus to DTD and walk to the hotel that supplies the particular car.

 

[TCO]

Thanks all my plan is to book with alamo brits and pick up from the swan (or is it dolphin I forget)

My main concern was if the cover provided was adequate so I'm aware ahead of the inevitable hard sell when I collect

 

[penlanspice]

Thanks all my plan is to book with alamo brits and pick up from the swan (or is it dolphin I forget)

My main concern was if the cover provided was adequate so I'm aware ahead of the inevitable hard sell when I collect

If your going to book through the brits link you don't have anything extra to pay unless you want windscreen etc cover or breakdown cover, just decline.

 

[wayneg]

Brits deal is very expensive for me this year but you need to check for your dates.
I booked a few days ago Brits deal was £323 but I paid £257, still with Alamo but not the Brits link.

If you post the dates, car size & best price you can find others will look for a better deal.

 

[zavandor]

When picking up the car at the Swan (or Dolphin, whatever) be aware the desk closes at 16. I arrived at 16.05 and it was closed
They sent a shuttle to pick me up and get the car from the car care center, so there is a plan B as well.

 

[TCO]

Brits deal is very expensive for me this year but you need to check for your dates.
I booked a few days ago Brits deal was £323 but I paid £257, still with Alamo but not the Brits link.

If you post the dates, car size & best price you can find others will look for a better deal.

thanks Wayne - been a busy couple of weeks I totally forgot about this.

We are looking at just 3 days from 28th to 30th September, there's only 3 of us and not doing the airport run so size isn't an issue (although I am tempted by the Mustang or equivalent option)

My main concern with it being our first time hiring is peace of mind knowing the price I book will be the price I pay including the insurance (not too concerned with the windscreen / keys etc one)

Thanks again

 

[wayneg]

thanks Wayne - been a busy couple of weeks I totally forgot about this.

We are looking at just 3 days from 28th to 30th September, there's only 3 of us and not doing the airport run so size isn't an issue (although I am tempted by the Mustang or equivalent option)

My main concern with it being our first time hiring is peace of mind knowing the price I book will be the price I pay including the insurance (not too concerned with the windscreen / keys etc one)

Thanks again

2 door convertible:

Alamo Brit deal would be £105.88 for 3 days.

Virgin Holidays £129.46 but only £14.70 to upgrade to gold, £144.16 total. Not sure how much a tank of gas is worth but this way you are paying £38.28 for the gas compared to Brits price.

Cheapest is with who I have booked my next rental with, eBookers but you have to use their App not their website, that would be £104 but go thru the Quidco App and you could get 6% off bringing price down to £98

All UK agents I know include your insurance.

 

[chmurf]

2 door convertible:

Alamo Brit deal would be £105.88 for 3 days.

Virgin Holidays £129.46 but only £14.70 to upgrade to gold, £144.16 total. Not sure how much a tank of gas is worth but this way you are paying £38.28 for the gas compared to Brits price.

a 2 door convertible like a Camaro has a 19 gallons tank of fuel

19 gal @ $3.40 = $64.6 or £41

Depending on the exchange rate, it's about the same price

now, if OP goes for the "return with full tank" option, it will only cost whatever fuel they spend.
Using less than 15 gallons of fuel, and filling up the car before returning it would be cheaper than buying the tank of gas upon pick-up or buying the gold upgrade.

It all depends on how far you're driving, and convinience.

 

[TCO]

Thanks guys what do you get with gold with virgin? I'm going for the return with a full tank option as we are only really looking at going to a couple of malls / eateries on I Drive and a trip out to some of the villa areas to see how we feel about the distance and options for next year onwards

Maybe I should have said a sat nav may be a handy upgrade as well as it would cost £35 to add US maps to my garmin

 

[wayneg]

Thanks guys what do you get with gold with virgin? I'm going for the return with a full tank option as we are only really looking at going to a couple of malls / eateries on I Drive and a trip out to some of the villa areas to see how we feel about the distance and options for next year onwards

Maybe I should have said a sat nav may be a handy upgrade as well as it would cost £35 to add US maps to my garmin

Gold is usually a tank of gas and extra driver(s) but for 2014 rentals VH incl extra driver without Gold so you are only getting the gas extra.

Sat Nav with VH would be £13.45 for 3 days, not checked Brits.
I wouldn't pay £35 for maps, you can buy a new one out there for £48 with lifetime map updates, http://www.walmart.com/ip/TomTom-START-45M-4.3-GPS-with-Lifetime-Map-Updates/21152169