New to the trans board - van rental help

[luvmyfam444]

I'm just popping over here since someone suggested it. We are looking to rent a van or SUV in July for a trip to DC for around 8 days

DH had checked thru the company sites & then a couple like expedia - and got extremely frustrated. Trying to compare apples to apples - like unlimited milage & such.

Where is the best place to go to hunt a good deal? Is there a better way? or is it just hitting every site out there until you get lucky? Is there a way to know without going to every site if there is free mileage (like x company NEVER has unlimited miles?)

I don't even know what a good deal would look like - since we've only rented one other time & the miles weren't an issue...

 

[luvmyfam444]

bumping - just in case

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the major US rental companies that serve airports have unlimited mileage as standard. The only major company I know of that will charge mileage more often than not is Enterprise. You can compare your heart out on the major search engines such as Kayak, Orbitz, etc., but if possible it is best to actually rent directly from the company.

However, you should be aware that some companies have been known to put it in the fine print of the contract that the vehicle cannot be taken across state lines, or more than X number of miles from the pickup location. They track via satellite, and if you knowingly take a vehicle that has this kind of restriction and then violate it, they will charge you a fortune.

 

[luvmyfam444]

AHHH thanks so much for the info! I'd hate to find one that said something about state lines - since we're just about 30mins from the state line & of course we'd be going over it - and then a few more state lines as well! guess we need to read the fine print!

We aren't near an airport - we're about 45 mins one way 1hr+ the other way to one...though if it saves us enough then we'll rent from there.

 

[NotUrsula]

You don't have to use an airport rental location to get unlimited mileage. The point is that the companies that do the bulk of their business at airports tend to have an unlimited mileage policy across the board. These big players are Alamo/National, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, and Dollar.

 

[Lewisc]

You can use kayak for initial research. You'll have to check the fine print.

Unlimited free mileage is intended to cover normal renters. A customer who flies to their destination and then drives in the area. Some rental cars are leased. Penalties if the mileage is too high. The resale value of the car is diminished if the mileage is high. Unlimited mileage isn't intended to be used to drive the car an excessive number of miles.

You have to read the fine print. Some contracts limit the states you can drive. Many FL rentals only let you drive in Florida (sometimes adjacent states). Sometimes the fine print limits the offer to renters who fly into the airport. In other words locals can't rent from the airport location and drive the car long distances.

First figure out how many miles you need. Sometimes a deal that gives you a number of free miles per day will work for you.