Who is the better Rental Car Co to rent from.....

[violet13]

Not sure to go with Thrifty, Alamo, or Avis....??? Thrifty has the best price, but doesn't seem to have all their facts straight about what their insurances REALLY mean, they say they don't offer theft, but that is "should" be included under the $17.95 a day collision fee, that a manager can initial my contract for theft ,which makes me nervous since I MUST have this (we only have liability on our cars)- I don't think that would hold up if the car was stolen! I've not heard great things about Alamo- next best price, then there is Avis...??? I am renting from Pitts Airport- traveling to Orlando. Advice please.....Trip is next month, NEver rented a car in my life! Who should I go with and why? or who should I NOT go with and why?? Thanks!

 

[DMRick]

If you have a gold or Platinum credit card, check with them and see what insurance is included if you use it to rent the car. You cannot sigh up for any rental insurance if you want to collect under your credit card..no matter what the rental place tells you. Of course our regular car insurance takes is charged first but our CC pays for anything not covered.

 

[violet13]

I have looked into my Gold card Car rental insurance, I have had them send me ALL the information they can, I have called them with various questions many times.... BUT AS GOOD AS THEY MAKE IT SOUND, IT IS NOT REAL CLEAR THAT YOU WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY COVERED AT 100% if YOU ONLY CARRY REGULAR "LIABILITY" ON YOUR VEHICLES. Most People have full coverage, so this is NOT a concern to them, the most they would have to pay is thier $500 deductable, but me, I may end up being liable for the entire car IF I MISUNDERSTAND my Credit card agreement. Nowhere does it outline in these credit card agreements those who ONLY carry Liability and have no deductables. (MAYBE THAT'S ALL THEY WOULD PICK UP, AFTER ALL THAT IS ALL THEY PICK UP FOR THOSE WHO DO HAVE FULL COVERAGE WITH THEIR CAR INSURANCE CO) So I find the credit card rental coverage VERY LACKING in definition. The Risk would definetly not be worth the savings IF something happened. So I feel I NEED to pay the rental car's EXTRA insurances to be ABSOLUTELY SURE I am covered without a doubt for collision and theft. Does this make sense?

 

[Luv2Roam]

If it were me, and I was that worried, I would get the full coverage. I would rather enjoy my vacationa nd have piece of mind than worrying about the car the entire time.
I have used Alamo (not at MCO, in sanDiego) and was happy with them. We have used a few other rental car companys, but everytime we use anything but National with the EA, DH gripes about something. Long lines, less than pleasant staff, etc.

 

[safetymom]

Check with your regular car ins. company. I pay a small additional amt. every month that covers me when I rent a car for any reason. I travel a lot and this is great. It is only a couple of dollars a month to have this. I have State Farm ins.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

are you renting the vehicle here in pittsburgh and then driving it all the way down to orlando? if so then I hope you know that they prefer if you don't take the rental out of state. nad if so is your rental unlimited mileage?

I have rented from alamo numerous times and have had no problems, as well with national and dollar. When I have to rent a vehicle here in PIT I usually use enterprise, they give me great rates.

 

[safetymom]

Hertz doesn't have a problem if you take it out of state. I also rented from Enterprise and they didn't mention out of state driving. But I would ask when renting the car from any of the companies. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[violet13]

Yes, I am renting from Pittsburgh and driving to Orlando...Avis, Alamo and Thrifty allow the unlimited Milage to Florida. Enterprise is the only company that wouldn't allow unlimited to out of state, and Hertz costs "an arm and a leg" unless you have AAA or some other perks for a decent rate. Believe me, I have asked ALL the questions to cover my particular situation, if anything I have asked TOOOO Many questions.....I called Thrifty's 1-800 # and they didn't think they offered "theft" coverage, then I called the Pitts Airport Terminal # and they couldn't tell me FOR SURE if their $17.95 a day Collision Coverage included theft, said the manager can initial my sales contract "just in case". I don't think that would "hold up" if the $30,000 car was stolen, do you? Shouldn't these insurances be in "black and white" in the sales contract?? Is all these rental sales contracts THIS VAGUE?

 

[safetymom]

That is why I like having the extra car rental insurance with my regular ins. company. I know what the fine print is and it doesn't change from company to company. I use Hertz all the time. I do use my AAA discount but when comparing prices find that they are usually pretty close to all the other companies. I also think Hertz operates a little smoother than when I rented from National and Alamo. I will never rent from Alamo. It was a disaster from start to finish. National I think their Emerald Aisle and quality of cars has gone done. I am a gold member and have rented several times from the airport at PIT for trips I took out of state and it couldn't have gone smoother.

 

[NancyIL]

Travel Guard sells a Collision Damage Waiver policy for rental cars for only $6/day: http://www.travelguard.com/products/cdw/index.asp?rnd=8537412401118711
They also offer comprehensive trip cancellation/interruption/medical coverage insurance.

CSA also offers inexpensive trip insurance that covers car rentals: http://www.csatravelprotection.com/insure/default.ssc We don't normally purchase travel insurance, but we bought an inexpensive policy from CSA when we went to Europe in 2000.