tom_mn

Looking at a car rental later this year in Florida, on the travel site I am using (Breezenet) for a standard car, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, Hertz are coming in at an incredible $1100 for 9 days, whereas Foxx, Advantage, and E-Z are in the $350 range for the same 9 days.

So are these 3 budget companies reputable? It's for a noon pickup at MIA if that matters, so some time there if cars not immediately available or whatever.

Gretchen

Look on Hotwire for an idea for top names.
Try another site like Expedia. That seems really high. What time of year.

tom_mn

Expedia gives the same results, Foxx, Advantage and EZ about $350, then Sixt and Alamo about $900, then the rest about $1100. Crazy.

Kathie

Check with Costco - sometimes their prices are much lower than others.

nytraveler

Do the 3 cheap ones include all taxes and fees in their prices. Are they rent-a-wreck in disguise?

I got a car from Enterprise once that had no mirror on the passenger side. I had to turn right around and give them a big fight before they gave me a car with mirror (yes, it was larger - but not my fault). Never used them again.

Dukey1

Do you have to be a Costco member to rent a car through them?

What time of year, EXACTLY, is the OP actually planning to rent? Knowing that might help.

Gretchen

Yes, you have to be a member --$55. factor it in

tom_mn

Here's a breakdown from enterprise, with a $43 discount for using a promo code so ONLY $1,054.04

Vehicle Class
Full Size
For 1 week(s) - $ 538.04 / week
$ 538.04
Full Size
For 3 day(s) - $ 107.61 / day
$ 322.83
Vehicle Mileage
Unlimited Mileage
Included
Miscellaneous
Account Adjustment
$ -43.04
TAXES & FEES
CONCESSION RECOUP FEE 11.11 PCT
$ 91.65
RENTAL CAR FACILITY CHG 4.85/DAY
$ 48.50
FLORIDA SURCHARGE 2.00/DAY
$ 20.00
TIRE/BATTERY FEE .02/DAY
$ 0.20
VEHICLE LICENSE FEE .69/DAY
$ 6.90
SALES TAX (7.0%)
$ 68.96
Estimated Total
$1,054.04

I thought part of the hit was a one way drop off charge at MCO, but that is apparently free to do.

tom_mn

So I went ahead with EZ since it had the highest satisfaction rating of the 3 budget agencies, here's the charge:

$309.60
($9.48) discount
Rental Rate
$189.52
CONCESSION FEE
$22.21
STATE TAX
$18.95
VEHICLE LICENSE FEE
$19.90
CFC
$48.50
FLORIDA SURCHARGE
$20.00
Discount
($9.48)
Total
$309.60

About 70% less? Not sure what is going on here. I do notice an interesting caveat in the reservation: "Reservations are automatically cancelled after 1 hour of expected arrival time." Most companies give you 24 hours.

Dukey1

Now, please remember one key thing: the most direct route between Miami and Orlando is the Florida Turnpike. You may be planning to use I-95 and other routes and that is fine.

Be aware that the Turnpike has sections which accept ONLY electronically-collected tolls. If you don't have SunPass transponder you can actually still use the Turnpike but your toll charges will be "billed" to the license plate of your rental car and it will be sent to the car rental agency which WILL add on a surcharge.

Enjoy your time down here.

tom_mn

Hi Dukey:

Yes, was in Miami once and remember xing off on a map the turnpikes that were cashless and succeeded in avoiding those.

Haven't actually bought tickets yet. I was pursuing house rentals in the Keys and was a little let down. I wasn't imaging all the trailer homes and shooting ranges and bait shops when conjuring up "Florida Keys" in my head, something more glamorous was there.