Van rental in the US

[shushh]

Ok, for all you brave souls who drive in the US...time to jump in!

Has anyone ever rented a minivan before? I'm thinking specifically of a 12 seater. I'm just starting to look around the price differences are massive! Both on US and Australian sites. I'm not sure of the price range that I should pounce on.

Also, for those who've used Alamo, how much did the extra insurance cost? It mentions all the extra covers you can opt for but does not list prices.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PrincessInOz]

The largest I've rented is about a 7 seater in 2005. Can't remember the price but I'm thinking possibly about $700 for the week??? Yes, price differences are massive.

I don't think I've ever taken that much interest in the cost without bells and whistle insurance.

From memory, if you nominate that you are from Australia, I think the insurance is automatically included in your on-line order.

 

[shushh]

Ah...PIO, I knew I could count on you for a quick response!

That's what I thought. But its very hard to see what's actually included in the price in terms of insurance. The most they'll say if any is the CDW.

Ok next question...wondering if you think its insane to try and squish 7 people in a 7 seater van. Sounds silly I know, but I'm worried about suitcases and stroller and paraphernalia fitting in

 

[PrincessInOz]

Don't they have 9-seater vans?

From memory, the seats and space in the van is not an issue. It's the luggage space.

We had a 7 seater twice - once way back in 1998 and there were 6 adults travelling. We each had a standard suitcase and carry-on. We eventually managed to fit them in like a jigsaw puzzle.

The second time was 4 adults and 1 child in 2005. I think the luggage space was much less of an issue because we travelled really light. From memory I think we had 3 standard suitcases and 5 carry-ons.

You might need to consider how much luggage you are going to take with you on a road trip....and how much shopping you are planning on doing. If you are driving along Southern Utah and catching the NP, then you might not be doing that much shopping....

 

[shushh]

We will probably only get a 7 seater for our drive around Utah, SD, Wyoming. But in LA....there are shops!

I'll keep looking. There are 8 seater vans, but I think they are similar to the 7 seaters. Then it goes up to 12 seaters and 15 seaters. All this research is impeding my TR progress. I need to hurry before its time for us to leave for Hong Kong.

 

[PrincessInOz]

And I just googled to see what was online in terms of Car insurance. This might provide you with a price guide..

http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com/Terms-and-Conditions/Excess-Reduction-Insurance.asp?popup=true

I also found a reference on line that said that if you were an international traveller in the US, it was illegal to drive without insurance! Might explain why insurance is not an option for us Aussies and why it is always included in the bottom line.

All the individual types of insurance coverage listed in the reference will be included in the Alamo fine print when you finally sign up. I think they were very good at detailing out the different types you were insured for.

 

[shushh]

Ok. Thanks for that. That's handy to know. I guess I was being overly paranoid. Alamo is the cheapest so far as I've found all these discount coupons.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We will probably only get a 7 seater for our drive around Utah, SD, Wyoming. But in LA....there are shops!

I'll keep looking. There are 8 seater vans, but I think they are similar to the 7 seaters. Then it goes up to 12 seaters and 15 seaters. All this research is impeding my TR progress. I need to hurry before its time for us to leave for Hong Kong.

It's only February....you still have 2 or 3 months.

But in LA...your only issue will be that final trip from hotel to airport. There is always the option of splitting up and taking a taxi to the airport.

We did something very similar in 1998. We went round to the Grand Canyon and on the way back to LA, we stopped in Barstow. We were only meant to do a 2 hour stop. We ended up there for 5 hours...we were there in January and they were further discounting the Christmas discounts. We ended up with plastic bags of stuff that only 6 adults can buy and when we left, we were getting the adults in the van, shutting the door, opening the back and lobbing the plastic bags over to the main section of the van.

I remember driving from Barstow back to LA with bags all over the floor and stacked up to mid calf height.

When we got to our destination and opened the passenger door, there was an avalanche of stuff that just kept falling out for about 5 minutes!

It took me about 6 hours to pack that night!

 

[DVCAustralia]

The insurance to make sure you include is CDW and SPL, but at least with National/Alamo putting in Australia means it is automatically all inclusive.
I prefer National/Alamo and on a quick search of National just then all inclusive for four days from LAX in October came to US$555 for a 15 passanger van.
I would agree it may be worth looking at getting a 'typical' minivan and splitting for the transfer.

 

[Jade+3]

We struggled for luggage space with the seven seater. We had 4 cases, 2 cabin bags, stroller and a sit n stand pram, and a couple of back packs. On the way to the airport we used every bit of space available to pack it all in, and we only had one child on the back seat, so used the rest of that seat for luggage too.

One of our minivans was an eight seater. It was exactly the same as the seven seater, except the middle row was a bench seat rather than the two captains chairs.

 

[shushh]

Ok, I think I'll stick with my original plan for a 12 seater then.

 

[skiingfast]

As an American renting a car in america I know that paying for the rental insurance is a trick of the industry. Most credit cards automatically have this insurance built in so all I have to do is reserve and pay with that card. Maybe not the case for foreigners?


Also a minivan tends to cost a lot, a full size van which carries 9 -15 people costs a lot more. If you have two people over twenty five years old consider two cars. Two sedans or a small car carrying luggage while people are in the minivan. Also a large SUV will do the job of a full size van. Do you guys have chevy suburbans of ford excursions over there? They are a lot nicer the a van.

Also a possible huge money saver if you are a more ruggid type. Is a camper perhaps you call them carivans. They are really common in the region all summer long. If you can do without some hotel costs they can make quite a bit on sense. http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/our_vehicles/large_rv.aspx

 

[DizOz]

We rented a 12 seater just recently for the day when we got off our Disney Cruise to go to KSC and back to Orlando. We rented it through Avis on an american website not Australian.

May reason we went with Avis was the pick up and drop off locations so we paid a little more than some other companies. Also findign a van was a lot harder than I thought.

The van was great. We had 8 people 4 adults and 4 children and a ton of buggage. It was easy to drive, good aircon (Important on hot Florida days) and when we dropped it off the Avis man drove us back to our hotel.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Been to the states on 7 occasions since 1992 and driven each time. Until the last three trips, we used to hire direct from Hertz or Thrifty or Alamo depending on price etc, and ALWAYS got stung with extra insurance.....ALWAYS...bar none.
Then we discovered Car Rental8, and when they say fully inclusive, trust me...they mean FULLY INCLUSIVE. You can compare all the different rental companies and book direct with them, and without exception they have always been cheaper than booking direct with the individual companies. Even though the individual companies try and sell you more (unnecessary) insurance when you pick up, just tell them thanks but no thanks and you're on your way.
And if it was me (for what it's worth), I'd definitely look at the logistics of hiring two cars.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

We hired a minivan last year with 2 Adults 4 kids, 15, 13, 11 & 9 we fitted all our lugage in we all had large suitcases and carry on but we did discover at the end of our trip that there are luggage compartments that you can use if the seats are not folded down would of been so much easier to know that at the start.

This year we are hiring our car through usacarhire.co.uk even though you pay in pounds it is heaps cheaper and includes all insurances with zero excesses.
We are paying Aus$1800 for 38 days car hire.

 

[shushh]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I've checked out car rental 8 as well usarhire.co.uk They both have great rates. Problem is none of them have a van available. Arghh...

We had a family discussion and decided against getting 2 cars. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a holiday together and besides we'd be fighting over who gets the children...or which child we get to keep!

As for the large SUV. We have a 7 seater SUV and usually we can just barely fit 6 in with luggage when we go overseas. I don't know if we can fit 7 and suitcases.

So its down to the 12 seater. Unfortunately, it appears to be highly elusive in Salt Lake city. Well the ones that are available are a lot more expensive than those in LA which is understandable.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I've checked out car rental 8 as well usarhire.co.uk They both have great rates. Problem is none of them have a van available. Arghh...

We had a family discussion and decided against getting 2 cars. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a holiday together and besides we'd be fighting over who gets the children...or which child we get to keep!

As for the large SUV. We have a 7 seater SUV and usually we can just barely fit 6 in with luggage when we go overseas. I don't know if we can fit 7 and suitcases.

So its down to the 12 seater. Unfortunately, it appears to be highly elusive in Salt Lake city. Well the ones that are available are a lot more expensive than those in LA which is understandable.

Shushh - what if you started in Vegas? Are the 12 seaters just as elusive?

You could start in Vegas and head towards Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Arches, (Monument Valley, Mesa Verde) and head towards Jackson that way. I know it might be a bit of a longer trek....but that drive is so worth it.

Just a word of caution if you do decide to take this path. Stock up in Zion..I think the town is called Springfield or something like that. There is pretty much nothing past Bryce all the way across. You'll want to check out where to stay along this path. I remember cabins and camping....

There is also a town called Mexican Hat, just out of Monument Valley. There is a switch back road (unsealed) that you can cut across from the NP trail down to Mexican Hat. There are about 3 or 4 motel places in Mexican Hat. Really, really small place.

 

[skiingfast]

So its down to the 12 seater. Unfortunately, it appears to be highly elusive in Salt Lake city. Well the ones that are available are a lot more expensive than those in LA which is understandable.

It's always tricky when you do a one way rental versus returning it to the same location. Usually more but sometimes less. Just depends on where the rental companies inventory is and where they need it to go.

 

[skiingfast]

There is also a town called Mexican Hat, just out of Monument Valley. There is a switch back road (unsealed) that you can cut across from the NP trail down to Mexican Hat. There are about 3 or 4 motel places in Mexican Hat. Really, really small place.

Granted not a place to put on a list of must sees, but it was the inspiration for some of the scenes in Cars.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Granted not a place to put on a list of must sees, but it was the inspiration for some of the scenes in Cars.

You're venturing frequently into Aussie space....have you decided that you like vegemite and coming to hang out with us?





Don't get me wrong....from my perspective, you're more than welcomed...Just wondering if I need to tone down my occasional sarcasm for Americana....