Minivan rental...experience?

[NHTikiBeckie]

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?

It says it right on their website next to the unlimited miles blurb. I was thinking it must be because they do not have offices south of there? I should call and ask.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Here's what it says:


Mileage Restrictions

MILEAGE IS UNLIMITED WHEN THE VEHICLE REMAINS EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND NORTH OF THE SOUTHERN BORDERS OF VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY. WHEN TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THIS AREA, MILEAGE IS LIMITED TO 150 MILES FREE PER DAY AND .25 CENTS FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MILE FOR THE ENTIRE RENTAL. PREMIUM CARS, LUXURY CARS, MINIVANS, SUVS AND PICKUP TRUCKS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TRAVEL INTO CANADA.

 

[clutter]

It says it right on their website next to the unlimited miles blurb. I was thinking it must be because they do not have offices south of there? I should call and ask.

Could it be the location of that office? Check another one nearby. When I try to rent from my local (Virginia) office and click on the details of the minivan, it says unlimited mileage in the continental US under the mileage restrictions. We have maybe 6 local offices, and I have found a price difference between them. Maybe check another? Prices have gone up. I have a 10 day rental in August for $550. Now its over $700.

 

[clutter]

Ok, that is weird. I've never seen restrictions like that before. I'm with the others, try someone like Alamo. There are always Visa discounts, and if you join the company's program, you usually get discounts.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Could it be the location of that office? Check another one nearby. When I try to rent from my local (Virginia) office and click on the details of the minivan, it says unlimited mileage in the continental US under the mileage restrictions. We have maybe 6 local offices, and I have found a price difference between them. Maybe check another? Prices have gone up. I have a 10 day rental in August for $550. Now its over $700.

I tried a few I wonder how they would even know I went that far south to be honest?! Not that I am willing to take a chance but I definitely wonder!

 

[horseshowmom]

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

Honestly, with the liability issues that can arise in the case of an accident, I wouldn't want to take a chance with having the owner put in a bad situation. Having known a couple of people who have dealt with the aftermath of accidents, it can be a real pain.

I tried a few I wonder how they would even know I went that far south to be honest?! Not that I am willing to take a chance but I definitely wonder!

I thought the same thing!

That said, I tend to be honest even without somebody looking over my shoulder. Have you figured up whether it still might work out? Remember your mileage is unlimited until you cross the border, then you have 150 miles per day (which you could average out over the number of days you're gone). Would that work out?

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Honestly, with the liability issues that can arise in the case of an accident, I wouldn't want to take a chance with having the owner put in a bad situation. Having known a couple of people who have dealt with the aftermath of accidents, it can be a real pain.


Ditto!

I thought the same thing!

That said, I tend to be honest even without somebody looking over my shoulder. Have you figured up whether it still might work out? Remember your mileage is unlimited until you cross the border, then you have 150 miles per day (which you could average out over the number of days you're gone). Would that work out?

We have another 500 or so miles to go from there so we are over the limit, each extra mile is 25 cents. I wanted to use Enterprise because they are right down the street, all other companies I need to drive to the airport for, boo!

 

[undertheradar]

You would be fine if nothing happened or you didn't have any issues.....but......if there was a problem and you were out of the coverage area.....big problem. Not worth it in my book.

 

[pat fan]

I wonder how they would even know I went that far south to be honest?!

They could know IF you had a problem, say a car accident.

The more likely scenario is they have a chip in them that can track you. Have you seen the car commercials where you plug the chip in and it tracks your driving so you can get a discount on your insurance if you are a good driver? Big brothers watching, always watching.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We live just outside of Philadelphia. A couple of years ago, we rented a minivan for a trip to Disney. We had a reservation to pick the car up from the airport, but two weeks before I found a special at the National office located in the Amtrak station. Saved over $200! We ended up with a Dodge Caravan and had a great trip. I wouldn't hesitate to do this again. It's definitely worth checking if there are multiple offices in your area.

Incidentally, I came across a similar mileage restriction from Enterprise when doing my research. I just checked again and this is the restriction from my local Enterprise location in Burlington, NJ:

UNLIMITED MILEAGE EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. ANY RENTALS PAST THE MISSISSIPPI OR INTO CANADA RECEIVES 200 MILES PER DAY AND .20 PER EACH ADDITIONAL MILE.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

That's crazy. We used enterprise to rent a minivan last September, we drove down to the Smokey Mtns. I'm sure I told the guy that too. Nobody said anything about a restriction like that.

Just my opinion because you'll be driving down I-5, I wouldn't risk not following the rules. My Uncle just got rear ended driving down to OBX last week on I-5. Good luck OP with your decision.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Like I said, I wouldnt take a chance but I was curious how they would now. I was thinking a chip, too. It looks like I might have to use Hertz, I just wish the office was closer than 45 minutes away!

 

[GoofyMB]

I looked into this as well in planning a trip from MA with my 4 kids. With the milage restrictions (assuming they have a tracking chip) and other charges it worked out cheaper and obviously much easier to just fly.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I looked into this as well in planning a trip from MA with my 4 kids. With the milage restrictions (assuming they have a tracking chip) and other charges it worked out cheaper and obviously much easier to just fly.

This isn't an option for us for several reasons unfortunately. We can't find airfare for under $550 a person as it is.