Minivan rental...experience?

[NHTikiBeckie]

Hello!

My family and I are taking a road trip down to the Disney Hilton Head DVC resort, we live in NH. We are 5 adults and my daughter will be 3 by then. So we need a minivan so we have enough seating and space.

I am having a hard time finding a rental car company that doesn't seem to have awful reviews. Anyone here ever rent a minivan for a road trip and have and tips/advice when it comes to the rental? I am so worried about being charged for extra things, or it breaking down...we haven't rented a car before!

Any help? Thanks!

 

[ah1126]

We rented a minivan from Alamo in May and it was great! We lucked out and it was a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country with 1300 miles on it. I know you have no way of knowing what you will get, but there are good cars out there! I had a minivan rental a few years ago from Budget and I had no complaints that time either.

 

[Disneymommyof4]

We rented from Enterprise and had a great experience.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

We rented from Enterprise and had a great experience.

I wanted to use Enterprise but they don't allow the cars to go further south than VA or that area

 

[scrapquitler]

Hello!

My family and I are taking a road trip down to the Disney Hilton Head DVC resort, we live in NH. We are 5 adults and my daughter will be 3 by then. So we need a minivan so we have enough seating and space.

I am having a hard time finding a rental car company that doesn't seem to have awful reviews. Anyone here ever rent a minivan for a road trip and have and tips/advice when it comes to the rental? I am so worried about being charged for extra things, or it breaking down...we haven't rented a car before!

Any help? Thanks!

I haven't ever had any problems with any of the rental car companies, except that my mom had a horrible mess with a locally owned rent a wreck type place. EVERY company is going to have some bad reviews because some people are never happy no matter what a company does. (Just look at the horrible reviews of even the deluxe resorts at Disney for proof of that). Keep in mind that you don't have to buy ANY of the extra insurance from the rental company....your own insurance will cover you, the insurance they are trying to sell you is mostly for covering your deductible as I understand it (double check with your own insurance company to get info about renting a car ahead of time if you want to be 100% sure).

 

[momof3ds]

I used priceline and bid on a small suv type vehicle.

They don't tell you what company it is when bidding but it ended up being budget.

Have also had rentals from enterprise when our car was being repaired (covered through our insurance).

No problems with either. Wife has used both hertz and national for business rentals, again no problems.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've rented from Alamo several times and never had an issue. My sister lives in Southern Maine and has rented from them too without issues. Avis and Dollar are the only two I've had issues with. With Avis the car broke down and they wanted me to pay for the tow. With Dollar I reserved a car and when I got there they tried to make me take a pick-up truck.

 

[pat fan]

We've rented from Enterprise (not a minivan though) and as far I know there were no restrictions as to where we could go. We didn't say and they didn't ask. We live in Ma. and drove to Virginia, but the conversation of distance never came up, except for me to be sure it was unlimited miles, which it was. Good luck! make sure to check BJ's (if you're a member). They seem to have the best discount codes.

 

[JessM]

I've had great luck with National and Enterprise. They and Alamo are all under the same umbrella. I've rented lots from Southern Maine and they have never told me of any restrictions on where you can take the car. I'd ask them about that one...

 

[daemom]

Last summer we rented a van and got it through Priceline. You don't know who you'll be renting from but I selecting picking it up at our airport--which is pretty small with only 4 rental agencies. I had also read that you couldn't take a rental beyond your state's border or tri-state area...so I called all four agencies and asked each the same questions that I had. I live in WV and we wanted to drive to Florida. There were no boundaries set, unlimited mileage and van was new--very nice. It was a great trip and one of my kids want to rent another!! Good luck!

 

[Nana2Callie]

We just rented from Budget unlimited miles without any hassles.

 

[HM]

Do you know anyone with a van that could trade cars with you for the duration of your trip? I'd look at that as an option. You could offer them a bit of money to cover wear and tear.

 

[Anthony1971]

Rent form either Alamo or National and use the self check in Kiosk.
We have never had a problem but mostly use Avis as we have a corporate code we can use.
For the above 2 make sure you sign up for the insdiers club and use your number when booking for a better rate.
With insurance make sure you use a credit card that covers rental cars-- please note the rule that you must decline all insurance from the agency. Call your credit card they will send you what is covered.
If you plan on having 2 drivers I know National and Avis are free Alamo if you sign up as an inside club memeber (free) most of the others charge..

 

[undertheradar]

Call your insurance agent and confirm what coverage you have and if it extends to a rental.

 

[wiigirl]

We rented from Enterprise and had a great experience.

Same here.

 

[mikehn]

I've rented from just about all the major car rental companies and rented just about every class car, including mini vans. I've never had a problem. There are several 'extras' the rental companies can charge you for. However, you can decline all the 'extras' on your rental agreement that you sign at the kiosk. I've never had a rental car break down on me, so I cant address that. But I do believe they provide roadside assistance.

 

[momof3ds]

Many rental companies now charge for roadside assistance.

 

[mcgregml]

I am a habitual renter from Alamo when at Disney. Recently, however, I was doing a trip to the Pacific Northwest; we flew into Seattle then drove down to Portland and back. We ended up renting a minivan from Alamo (purely because they were the most economical) and have a great experience with a Chrysler Town and Country. Easy rental process and a great vehicle!

I will echo what previous posters have said and recommend checking with your insurance to see if car rentals are covered by your insurance. Also, make sure to check out what member rewards programs can offer you. We saved a ton by booking through Alamo because there was no charge for a second driver since I was a *********** member. Saved about $10 per day!

 

[clutter]

We've rented from Enterprise (not a minivan though) and as far I know there were no restrictions as to where we could go. We didn't say and they didn't ask. We live in Ma. and drove to Virginia, but the conversation of distance never came up, except for me to be sure it was unlimited miles, which it was. Good luck! make sure to check BJ's (if you're a member). They seem to have the best discount codes.

Yeah, I'm renting a minivan from them to drive to Wisconsin and back from Virginia. I didn't see any restriction. Where did you see this?

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Do you know anyone with a van that could trade cars with you for the duration of your trip? I'd look at that as an option. You could offer them a bit of money to cover wear and tear.

I do, but both have 3 kids and need the vans unfortunately