is 650$ a good car rental rate for cross-country 2-week 1-way trip?

[brianmanahan]

Are you sure you won't get charged mileage? I never seen an one-way rental where you don't get charged mileage.

yep, it's unlimited miles w/ gertz, at least for this rental.

(note i added xm radio like a boss)

 

[shortylickens]

Two weeks? Thats a steal. Last time I rented it was 400 for a long weekend.

 

[nextuszerodmd]

carrentalsavers.com

 

[brianmanahan]

thanks vic vega! i thought the price was high but i priced many other companies and all available locations and hertz was by far the cheapest. and only if i get the car from an in-city rental place, getting it from the airport directly like doubles the price.

i also checked with my auto insurance company and they do indeed cover rentals. they said as long as i have comp and collision on my own car that would transfer to a rental for any length of time. so i will probably just change from liability to c&c for a month or so, instead of paying 230$ for a LDW!

for the record i did check with my employer, they have a hertz code BUT it doesnt allow unlimited miles so the price would be ridiculous.

The correct format for US currency is $000.00, not 000.00$.

I rent cars frequently for business, often for several weeks. $650 is high in my opinion for a Malibu for two weeks. You should be able to get that car for a weekly rate of $150 or less, possibly $100. You need to shop around and be flexible on your pickup location.

Rental car companies do tricky things with prices. They will have two categories listed for midsize cars (Malibu, Fusion, Avenger): Standard and Midsize. The "standard" car will always be cheaper but gives you access to the same cars as "midsize". They are betting on people not knowing the cars. I have often rented the "standard" car and been giving a Dodge Charger as well.

Some rental agencies have a "wild card" option which they give you the cheapest rate they have, usually the equivalent of "economy" however they get to pick the car based on the inventory they have available at the time. This saves them money from having to shuffle inventory from location to location should you book something unavailable. Yes, I said that. They will allow you to book cars they do not have. Just like an airline. I have done the wild card option several times and have always been given a midsize, save for one occasion I was given a Mustang convertible.

Do you have car insurance? Does your car insurance cover rental cars (most do). If that's the case for you, decline ALL coverage from the rental agency. ALL of it. It's a big rip off. Some agencies will even try and sell you road side assistance services. Uhhh, news flash - if this car breaks you're bringing me another one. If it gets a flat you're sending a guy out. I'm not paying for this. You shouldn't either.

Good luck! Check with your employer and see if they offer discounts with certain rental agencies!

 

[RossMAN]

Does this mean you'll be leaving us for 2 full weeks?

Oh no say it ain't so

Seriously the Malibu is a nice rental, we drove it from NV and CA and it was smooth sailing.

 

[brianmanahan]

Does this mean you'll be leaving us for 2 full weeks?

Oh no say it ain't so

Seriously the Malibu is a nice rental, we drove it from NV and CA and it was smooth sailing.

oh dont worry rossman, via the power of mobile internet i will no doubt share my experiences here

of special interest will be my photos, which i plan on posting to make photog nerds rage about how bad they are

 

[RossMAN]

oh dont worry rossman, via the power of mobile internet i will no doubt share my experiences here

of special interest will be my photos, which i plan on posting to make photog nerds rage about how bad they are

Thank goodness for mobile internet. I can still read your valuable nuggets of ... wisdom?

Have a safe trip and I look forward to the pics.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

oh dont worry rossman, via the power of mobile internet i will no doubt share my experiences here

of special interest will be my photos, which i plan on posting to make photog nerds rage about how bad they are

You are my second favorite still alive; you should probably kill AMDhunter.

 

[RossMAN]

You are my second favorite still alive; you should probably kill AMDhunter.

Who are your first, third and fifth favorites?

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Who are your first, third and fifth favorites?

They are all dead.

 

[OutHouse]

eh, i looked into this a little more. sounds like things can be a real pain if you dont buy the LDW from hertz. for 230$, i think it is worth it to me just to buy that for peace of mind.

unless someone knows of an equally good option for cheaper!

dont buy that shit. check with your insurance agent for coverage and even your credit card for coverage. my company has a strict rule to refuse it and if we do take it you will not be reimbursed if you expense it.

$650 seems really high for a two week rental for a mid-size car.

 

[OutHouse]

for the record i did check with my employer, they have a hertz code BUT it doesnt allow unlimited miles

lol whut?? damn dude i hope your company doenst have a lot of people renting cars.

 

[brianmanahan]

UPDATE:

i wimped out and decided to get the loss damage waiver, because even though i can get insurance to cover it, it sounds like it can be a ridiculous headache and would go as a claim against my insurance.

id just rather get that peace of mind for an extra 250$ and forget about it.

so the total comes to about 950$. higher than i wanted, but oh well D:

 

[sdifox]

UPDATE:

i wimped out and decided to get the loss damage waiver, because even though i can get insurance to cover it, it sounds like it can be a ridiculous headache and would go as a claim against my insurance.

id just rather get that peace of mind for an extra 250$ and forget about it.

so the total comes to about 950$. higher than i wanted, but oh well D:

then you better total it.

 

[brianmanahan]

then you better total it.

oh i plan to drive like a maniac

jk, lol

but i figure over a 4000 mile drive, there's a lot than can go wrong, and im willing to pay a couple hundred dollars to not have to worry about it at all

 

[jupiter57]

The correct format for US currency is $000.00, not 000.00$.

OP is home schooled.
Don't think his teacher is the sharpest pencil in the box.
:biggrin:

 

[Bignate603]

The correct format for US currency is $000.00, not 000.00$.

He does this constantly and claims that everyone else is doing it wrong.

 

[alkemyst]

im flying out west and driving back cuz i love to drive

sssmart alex

reported...

 

[brianmanahan]

reported...

sorry, reporting is only for swares or discrimitory talk

but im considering reporting you for hijacking this thread

 

[alkemyst]

sorry, reporting is only for swares or discrimitory talk

but im considering reporting you for hijacking this thread

reported...

 

[Bignate603]

reported...

Your excessive reporting has been reported.

Back to the OP: The insurance is pretty much a scam. You'll do much better if you just check to see how your own insurance coverage works for rentals. Also, there are some other ways to get coverage like some credit cards or special ways to book the rental. For example, if I book through USAA they'll give coverage but it has a high deductible.

 

[brianmanahan]

Back to the OP: The insurance is pretty much a scam. You'll do much better if you just check to see how your own insurance coverage works for rentals. Also, there are some other ways to get coverage like some credit cards or special ways to book the rental. For example, if I book through USAA they'll give coverage but it has a high deductible.

but then i would have to

1. change coverage on my own car insurance from liability to comprehensive/collision which will cost some $
2. if i do get in an accident, have to make a claim and possibly have my rate go up
3. worry about loss of use charges on the car which my insurance has said they will not pay no matter what

 

[Bignate603]

but then i would have to

1. change coverage on my own car insurance from liability to comprehensive/collision which will cost some $
2. if i do get in an accident, have to make a claim and possibly have my rate go up
3. worry about loss of use charges on the car which my insurance has said they will not pay no matter what

For #1 the difference in cost will likely be small compared to the cost of insurance through the car rental place. #2, maybe but honestly you're less likely to get in an accident on a long road trip than you are driving around town at home. #3, check on your options. For me if I rent through USAA I'm not responsible for any loss of use charges. You may have some options that will do the same.

 

[brianmanahan]

AWWW YEAH, just managed to get this for 800$ from national car rental!!!

i just found that you can get a "flying blue" free membership with air france, then use their code 8572130 with national to get a sweet rate that includes loss damage waiver, unlimited miles, and gets rid of most fees

 

[RossMAN]

AWWW YEAH, just managed to get this for 800$ from national car rental!!!

i just found that you can get a "flying blue" free membership with air france, then use their code 8572130 with national to get a sweet rate that includes loss damage waiver, unlimited miles, and gets rid of most fees

I could have told you about that coupon code.

I usually go here for travel discussion, discounts, coupons, etc.