Car Rentals are expensive!
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2010
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Car Rentals are expensive!
Renting a car for a week in Phoenix. Could also fly into Tucson. Any tips on cutting down the price of car rentals? Have tried the consolidators (Travelocity, Expedia, etc.) as well as individual car rental companies. Any size will be fine as we won't be driving that much, but will definitely need transportation. Have you used any website lately where you've gotten a better deal? Thanks for any/all information!
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
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My best tip is to keep rechecking, and be prepared to cancel a reservation and rebook if you find a better price. I have found that prices drop (presumably in response to demand) unpredictably sometimes.
Second tip is, find out which rental agencies are in-airport, and consider an off-airport one if the shuttle is free and the price is low enough to be worth the extra hassle.
Third, seek a discount code: USAA, AAA, AARP, etc. Also try Googling "Avis Discount Code", or whatever agency. I have been surprised to find codes listed on websites like Retail Me Not that actually work to lower the daily rate.
Second tip is, find out which rental agencies are in-airport, and consider an off-airport one if the shuttle is free and the price is low enough to be worth the extra hassle.
Third, seek a discount code: USAA, AAA, AARP, etc. Also try Googling "Avis Discount Code", or whatever agency. I have been surprised to find codes listed on websites like Retail Me Not that actually work to lower the daily rate.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
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You're welcome, and good luck! I generally try all the agencies listed (usually on the airport's website) that are in-airport, and find inexplicably large price differences between them. I've had good luck with Enterprise and Budget, but really, any of the major agencies can cough up a good rate.
It's a pain, but not as bad as the days when you had to call around, lol.
It's a pain, but not as bad as the days when you had to call around, lol.
#12
Join Date: May 2003
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Book the best refundable car you can now; keep checking.
I found this on another post here; I signed up for it, let's see if it comes up with any better deals in the next 4 weeks..
http://www.autoslash.com/
I found this on another post here; I signed up for it, let's see if it comes up with any better deals in the next 4 weeks..
http://www.autoslash.com/
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I just put in a random week in February on Hotwire.com If renting in "the city" the cost is $21.34 per day or <u>$172 total</u> for a week. If renting at "PHX" airport, the cost is $22.95 per day, but the <u>total is $283</u>. That is all the airport fees tacked on. Big savings if you go to your hotel and then get a car locally. Many will deliver to the hotel.
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Some car insurance companies have rental car discount coupons that have double discounts attached...like Allstate, for one. Check with your insurance company.
I agree to check regularly as the rates change often. I've been known to book online only to find a better rate later (I don' book paid in advance rates). I cancel and rebook. Many times I find if you book extra early, the rates are better than waiting until your date is closer, but, you can still continue to check.
I agree to check regularly as the rates change often. I've been known to book online only to find a better rate later (I don' book paid in advance rates). I cancel and rebook. Many times I find if you book extra early, the rates are better than waiting until your date is closer, but, you can still continue to check.