LAX Rental Car

[shruley]

We are looking at renting a car for our week in Cali. I'm finding a lot of similarities in price, so wondering if there is one service anyone can recommend, or any to avoid? What is the most convienent? I'll have 3 kids, the youngest 2, so after a four hour flight the last thing I want is a rental car that turns out to be a big hassel! We would be both picking up and returning it to LAX.

 

[igomezhnl]

We are looking at renting a car for our week in Cali. I'm finding a lot of similarities in price, so wondering if there is one service anyone can recommend, or any to avoid? What is the most convienent? I'll have 3 kids, the youngest 2, so after a four hour flight the last thing I want is a rental car that turns out to be a big hassel! We would be both picking up and returning it to LAX.

I think the best one that we always use is Alamo. Even though its more on the pricier side compared to Thrifty etc. I never have any problems. They are not pushy, and you can choose your car. They are also pretty fast in service. We travel from Hawaii, so flights arrive late afternoon or early morning. I have never experienced a line of more than 3 people.

 

[bumbershoot]

You need to know now that all rental agencies are offsite. You *will* be getting on a shuttle and going to the agency before getting your car. Which means thinking about an extra stash of tip money for the shuttle driver who helps you and your bags into the shuttle. And on the way back, it means scheduling more TIME to first get to the agency, turn in the car, and shuttle back to the airport.

We've used National and/or Alamo and haven't noticed anything extra annoying in the rental cars at LAX, besides just knowing that it's all offsite.

 

[shruley]

I did know they were all offsite and we would have to take a shuttle which was why I was wondering. I did read somewhere that I think it was the National shuttle that people said took FOREVER. I hadn't looked at Alamo yet, I will check them out.

 

[ricardol]

I recommend AVIS is more expensive than the alternatives but if you sign for Avis Prefered you can skip lines and you will be assigned a car spot once you exit the shuttle and you go directly to your car. You save a lot of time from not doing lines.

Look up online there are several sites that offer good discounted rates for AVIS:

 

[valiamo]

Have used National many times , and will be using them again about 10 days.

True about the shuttles, but if you miss one, you have to wait for the next one. I will add to this thread if there are any difficulties.

For most of the rental companies, join their loyalty club before you go, and get the perks for renting. National has the Emerald club, and you bypass the counter lines and just pick a vehicle.