Rental Car experiences - who can you trust?

[EllenFrasier]

I'm taking a long weekend trip (4 days) with my sisters this June and I was going to take my car. Dh wants me to rent a car instead, so now I'm trying to rent a car. I like Hertz because I trust them. Dh wants me to rent one from Enterprise because there's one near our house, verses going to the airport 25 minutes away.
Anybody have any horror stories with either rental agency? Any recommendations?

 

[Nissi]

Both are reputable companies...So I would do Enterprise if its that much closer. Of course, check your rates first, and look for coupon codes online. (Mousesavers has some.)

 

[swilshire]

Enterprise may be cheaper if they are off airport.

I have had very good experiences with National through the years. Unfortunately, lately their prices have been higher than other companies so I haven't used them much.

You have to carefully review any conditions the company puts on your rentals. I chose the cheapest company in Denver once only to find out I couldn't take the car out of the state. National has good policies on this. I've even taken their cars into Canada and throughout Great Britain with no problems.

Sheila

 

[dznybound]

I had a really bad experience with Enterprise years ago and have never rented from then again. They were very hard sell on the selling the supplementary insurance. I think their job/bonus is dependent on selling the extra insurance. I explained to them that we have full coverage on our auto insurance policy and that our credit card company has secondary insurance. Literally, they held us there for a very long time while they CALLED OUR AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY to verify coverage. Our insurance card was not enough????

On the other hand, I love Hertz. We rent from them exclusively.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Both are reputable companies...So I would do Enterprise if its that much closer. Of course, check your rates first, and look for coupon codes online. (Mousesavers has some.)

Ditto this (especially looking for coupon/discount codes).

We have used Enterprise three times (two of them were due to hubby needing a car while his was in the shop being repaired). The third time we took a trip to see his parents in California. Each of the 3 times we used the, we walked away with such a positive impression and feeling. And they even offered us an upgrade for like $10 a day when we went to California.

Also...anyone who replies that they had a terrible experience with either company...it's pretty normal I think. So...don't let those comments/opinions sway your decision.

 

[Green Tea]

My experience with off airport Enterprise cars is that are filthy. Every one I have had (car dealers are using them to provide loaner cars for warranty work) have been stained and smell. Never had that with airport based sites though.

 

[FoodLover]

My experience with off airport Enterprise cars is that are filthy. Every one I have had (car dealers are using them to provide loaner cars for warranty work) have been stained and smell.

Ditto. I really avoid Enterprise because the rental cars I've had from their local (off-airport) locations have all been nasty.

Mary

 

[poutytink]

We have a rental from Enterprise right now, due to the fact that someone hit our car during the night and ran. We have a brand new Santa Fe with 1150 miles from them....it is great! Never had any problems from the Enterprise near me. Used them many times.

 

[powellrj]

We have used Enterprise lately and have never had a bad experience. We used to always use National, but Enterprise is closer and their hours are better in our town.

 

[Swimalie]

I almost always use Enterprise since it was started by a Naval Officer and my husband was one as well. I have never had a problem with their cars. Last May my dad walked in to one near their house and got me a deal of 5 days, unlimited mileage for $80 total. The off airport ones rent for less money and some times you can make a deal with them.

 

[Leajess99]

I'm taking a long weekend trip (4 days) with my sisters this June and I was going to take my car. Dh wants me to rent a car instead, so now I'm trying to rent a car. I like Hertz because I trust them. Dh wants me to rent one from Enterprise because there's one near our house, verses going to the airport 25 minutes away.
Anybody have any horror stories with either rental agency? Any recommendations?

I HATE Enterprise!!! Here they require you to tell them what states you will be going to and it is just a long drawn out process. When we go on trips we may deviate from the original plan and end up in a different state. With Hertz, I can be in and out in no more than 5 minutes and the car is covered in any state and they don't need to know where you are going.

Hertz is also great if the vehicle has any issues and needs to be replaced (happened once for a flat tire issue and once for brakes catching which was not noticeable until driving on the highway). They make the process easy.

I, personally, would drive the extra miles versus renting from Enterprise. Oh and I have yet to have Enterprise actually be ready with a car at my reservation time. Twice I walked out and paid more at Hertz because Enterprise had no cars in the category I reserved and they won't upgrade you for free like Hertz will if they don't have the car class available. Hertz did have one day where they weren't ready but that was once out of almost 100 rentals or so through the years and since I was not leaving right away it worked out fine.

 

[Leajess99]

I had a really bad experience with Enterprise years ago and have never rented from then again. They were very hard sell on the selling the supplementary insurance. I think their job/bonus is dependent on selling the extra insurance. I explained to them that we have full coverage on our auto insurance policy and that our credit card company has secondary insurance. Literally, they held us there for a very long time while they CALLED OUR AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY to verify coverage. Our insurance card was not enough????

On the other hand, I love Hertz. We rent from them exclusively.

They did this with me as well. Called the insurance company and the credit card company to verify the insurance. It literally took us 30 minutes to get a rental car. This was this past October and it was the third try using them. NEVER again if I can help it.

 

[seashoreCM]

The rental company can call your insurnce company all it wants to but if you don't have the kind of covereage they are looking for and the rental company has no rule or policy requiring that coverage then the rental company has to rent the car to you anyway.

One advantage of dealing with a nationwide company is that later problems can be dealt with close to home as opposed to in the city where you rented.

 

[Swimalie]

they won't upgrade you for free like Hertz will if they don't have the car class available. Hertz did have one day where they weren't ready but that was once out of almost 100 rentals or so through the years and since I was not leaving right away it worked out fine.

I rented from Enterprise, away from an airport and they upgraded me for free since their smaller cars were all gone. So they will do it if you ask.

 

[semo233]

Years ago, I worked for Enterprise. Each office is a reflection of that office's management. If you were not satisfied with the cleanliness of the car, you should let them know. There is a chain of command if you are still not satisfied. It is a privately owned company that believes in developing management and entreprenurialship (sp). So, each office is run almost like it is its own business.

Regarding the extra up sells....they are big money makers, but the only people who make any money off it are managment and above....unless that has changed. It might be a consideration for promotion though. Check your own coverage (it might differ between a replacement rental and pleasure rental) and if you don't want it, just say no, no, no. I will say that the damage waiver is a big headache saver if something does happen to the car while in your possession, but it is expensive.

Make sure any damage on the car when you take it is noted on the contract.

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

I will never rent from Enterprise ever again. I used them after a car accident and because they were giving me the negotiated State Farm rate, they gave me the crappiest, dirtiest, piece of junk they had. And then over charged me on top of it. They're fired.

 

[TexasTom]

If your rent for an airport location, there might me a daily airport fee. If you don't smoke, make sure your request an odor-free car.