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We're planning on taking a two-week trip up north and we're driving as we want to visit multiple people in multiple locations. As there will be five or six of us, plus a dog, I'd like to rent a mini-van. If you have any tips on how I can get a better rate, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
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(07-07-2019, 10:00 PM)K9Buck Wrote: We're planning on taking a two-week trip up north and we're driving as we want to visit multiple people in multiple locations. As there will be five or six of us, plus a dog, I'd like to rent a mini-van. If you have any tips on how I can get a better rate, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Hotwire
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I go with Enterprise. I used to use Budget and some of the cheapest available and I'd get cars with problems too often.
Join their club, it's free, and you get a mild discount. Don't buy insurance, or anything else.
I got four days free for our CA trip in August, but I rent fairly often.
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(07-08-2019, 06:10 AM)cincydawg Wrote: I go with Enterprise. I used to use Budget and some of the cheapest available and I'd get cars with problems too often.
Join their club, it's free, and you get a mild discount. Don't buy insurance, or anything else.
I got four days free for our CA trip in August, but I rent fairly often.
Thanks.
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I used Enterprise a few times here recently. Got insurance both times. Glad I did, though I'm thinking my own insurance may cover me? Anyway I'm not 100% on that, but either way I'm glad I did. Â
So the second time I use 'em I do the token walk around the car with the rental car dude when I pick it up. Neither of us spot anything obvious. I bring it back from the trip and some chick does the walk around and tells me there's a scratch on the passenger's side. I'm walking around thinking it was likely already there and if I had brought it back when the dude was there I'm almost 100% certain the dude wouldn't have even noticed it. Instead I get Nancy friggin' Drew. Good thing I had the insurance. If they would have filed a claim on my personal insurance over that I would have been pissed. Â
I had my dad with me. We drove to Texas back in February. I guess it's possible he may have dinged something when trying to get out (he's 84), but I don't recall anything, and if my old man had done anything obvious he certainly would have told me. Â
Anyway, so I would recommend getting the insurance.
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Your usual car insurance covers you in a rental. However, if you make a claim obviously your insurance rates will go up, a lot.
It is very important to check your car out before you drive it away or sign anything. They should show you a measuring device for determining what is and is not a ding, it's generally an inch circle. Have them not ANYTHING you see on the car. When you return it, it won't be the same person.
This is true for the interior as well of course.
Don't buy the gas option. Fill it up on your own. If the car is Flexfuel you can use E85 when you return it, and save a few bucks.
(07-07-2019, 10:00 PM)K9Buck Wrote: We're planning on taking a two-week trip up north and we're driving as we want to visit multiple people in multiple locations. As there will be five or six of us, plus a dog, I'd like to rent a mini-van. If you have any tips on how I can get a better rate, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Google. You never know which site is going to have the best deal today. It's really just a matter of spending time going through all the different sites and comparing prices.
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Google ends up frustrating though. Stated rate never seems to be good for when you want the vehicle.
I am not sure this will work for your needs, but when we had warranty work done and loaner was not covered I used Turo. Would absolutely use it again. Iâ€d have to look back at cost, but mid size sedan was like $20 a day.
Mileage may make this a non starter for you, but someone may have a mom van they loan out.
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Does your employer have any relationships with any car rental companies? Mine has discounts with Enterprise and National, along with others lie Verizon, etc.
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I got a caddy for Phoenix in March through hotwire for about 30+ per day iirc. AAA can reduce cost
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(07-07-2019, 10:00 PM)K9Buck Wrote: We're planning on taking a two-week trip up north and we're driving as we want to visit multiple people in multiple locations. As there will be five or six of us, plus a dog, I'd like to rent a mini-van. If you have any tips on how I can get a better rate, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.  Borrow Alabuckeye's minivan, girl's soccer season is over apparently.
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(07-08-2019, 09:22 AM)Erhino Wrote: Google ends up frustrating though. Stated rate never seems to be good for when you want the vehicle.
I am not sure this will work for your needs, but when we had warranty work done and loaner was not covered I used Turo. Would absolutely use it again. Iâ€d have to look back at cost, but mid size sedan was like $20 a day.
Mileage may make this a non starter for you, but someone may have a mom van they loan out.
Thanks.
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