One Way Car Rentals in California
Nov 9th, 2008, 07:47 AM
#1
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One Way Car Rentals in California
Starting to do some preliminary planning for California in June.
In the past we've often rented cars in LA or SF and dropped off at the other with no charges -- usually with Dollar.
But I'm finding no such deals (must pick up in SF and drop off in LA this time. Dollar is now tacking on a $250 drop off fee in addition to higher rates that it would be to return the same place.
Kayak, Hotwire and others don't even allow you to enter one way rentals.
Any suggestions? I'm beginning to think we're better returning the car to SFO and flying to LAX and getting another one. But since we wanted to spend a night in Carmel, I kind of hate to return to SF and go through all that.
In the past we've often rented cars in LA or SF and dropped off at the other with no charges -- usually with Dollar.
But I'm finding no such deals (must pick up in SF and drop off in LA this time. Dollar is now tacking on a $250 drop off fee in addition to higher rates that it would be to return the same place.
Kayak, Hotwire and others don't even allow you to enter one way rentals.
Any suggestions? I'm beginning to think we're better returning the car to SFO and flying to LAX and getting another one. But since we wanted to spend a night in Carmel, I kind of hate to return to SF and go through all that.
Nov 9th, 2008, 10:03 AM
#2
Yikes! You can use the "retail" travel websites such as Expedia or Travelocity to do a one-way search.
Part of the problem may be that you're picking June, which is the beginning of peak coastal tourism season. If the dates aren't locked in, would May work better? I think it's a better month for the coast, anyways. Less chance of June gloom fog.
Part of the problem may be that you're picking June, which is the beginning of peak coastal tourism season. If the dates aren't locked in, would May work better? I think it's a better month for the coast, anyways. Less chance of June gloom fog.
Nov 9th, 2008, 05:09 PM
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No, there's no leeway on the dates. This is based on a get together in Victoria the end of May first of June and a week in Ashland, Oregon the third week of June. The California coast really has nothing to do with the trip except for getting from point A to point B. Flying SFO to LAX is looking better all the time.
Dollar is showing a fantastic bargain for a Jeep Libery (if we don't drop off in LAX). We're wondering if 4 adults could manage in it, mainly just going from SF to Ashland and back again.
Dollar is showing a fantastic bargain for a Jeep Libery (if we don't drop off in LAX). We're wondering if 4 adults could manage in it, mainly just going from SF to Ashland and back again.
Nov 9th, 2008, 05:58 PM
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At http://www.carrentals.com I found cars at $200 per week in June with pick-up in SF and drop off at LAX. I sampled at June 5-12.
Nov 9th, 2008, 07:04 PM
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Kayak.Com permits searches for one-way car rentals if you register with them. To do so, you must tell them two things: (1) your real e-mail address and (2) your home airport. You can tell them to NOT send you e-mails if you register.
Nov 10th, 2008, 05:09 AM
#7
I've never found "one-way" deals until about 30 days before traveling...I don't think they can always tell in advance when their inventory of cars is going to be leaning north or south in the state. So, there's still hope that a one-way deal could pop up. Also, have you checked from the downtown SF locations instead of the airport? There are some one-way coupons on the Avis and Hertz sites usually, but the current ones I'm sure would expire well before next June.
Nov 10th, 2008, 05:14 AM
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HTTY, I must be missing something. We're looking for a 10 day rental, and I was getting nowhere on that site.
Fox is their cheapest, but even when I changed dates to yours (June 5 to 12) the cheapest week for the cheapest little car was still $326 (including the fees (presumably drop off included). I'm not sure where you saw a $200 a week. But add in that we need a large car for four adults and need it for 10 days and I'm really not finding anything, for less than $560 for a full sized car for 10 days.
Incidentally on that carrentals.com site, the prices were higher for Budget and Dollar than they are on the company's own websites.
This may now be a non-issue as our friends are thinking of starting their trip in LA and then meeting us in SF, while we will be going from SF to LA afterwards, so in that case, the two of us will definitely fly.
Fox is their cheapest, but even when I changed dates to yours (June 5 to 12) the cheapest week for the cheapest little car was still $326 (including the fees (presumably drop off included). I'm not sure where you saw a $200 a week. But add in that we need a large car for four adults and need it for 10 days and I'm really not finding anything, for less than $560 for a full sized car for 10 days.
Incidentally on that carrentals.com site, the prices were higher for Budget and Dollar than they are on the company's own websites.
This may now be a non-issue as our friends are thinking of starting their trip in LA and then meeting us in SF, while we will be going from SF to LA afterwards, so in that case, the two of us will definitely fly.
Nov 10th, 2008, 05:22 AM
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Well, if you still decide to drive, did you check Thrifty Rental Car? I had a one way rental this past summer from Portland to SF. Originally, the one way charge was $300 but it dropped to $100 about 30 days out.
Nov 10th, 2008, 06:25 AM
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It's interesting that some are suggesting the drop off fees reducing or ending in summer. I've found in the past for the opposite to be true, and usually make my summer reservations at least this far in advance with some great special. I always then check from time to time, but normally have never been able to match some far advance reservations (usually with Dollar).
I think I'll still go ahead and book the Jeep Liberty for SFO to SFO, just in case -- as it looks like that's probably what we'll end up needing.
Downtown pickup SF isn't good, as we will meet at SFO, regardless of where we are all coming from and immediately drive to Ashland, Oregon. By the way, in the past I know some of the downtown SF offices don't allow one way rentals (except to drop off at SFO). Most of them show that now, but that IS an issue that could change by summer, I suppose.
I think I'll still go ahead and book the Jeep Liberty for SFO to SFO, just in case -- as it looks like that's probably what we'll end up needing.
Downtown pickup SF isn't good, as we will meet at SFO, regardless of where we are all coming from and immediately drive to Ashland, Oregon. By the way, in the past I know some of the downtown SF offices don't allow one way rentals (except to drop off at SFO). Most of them show that now, but that IS an issue that could change by summer, I suppose.
Nov 10th, 2008, 08:09 AM
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How about any discount codes out there that will waive the drop-off fee? I know mousesavers.com has great Florida codes and would also include some California codes because of DisneyWorld.
I would try to look up something myself, but my two year old just decided he wanted to be naked, so I've got to run!
I would try to look up something myself, but my two year old just decided he wanted to be naked, so I've got to run!
Nov 10th, 2008, 11:08 AM
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SFO to LAX with Fox is your best bet. Any alternative would cost a bunch more.
Fox only charges $140 for the drop-off, total estimated incl. drop-off for a week in a Hyundai Accent or similar shows as $326.24 as I look at it now (random dates of June 10 to 17 since you didn't state yours).
Hard to beat! I've used Fox, it's no-frills offices, longer lines than at Hertz, but hey - wheels are wheels!
Fox only charges $140 for the drop-off, total estimated incl. drop-off for a week in a Hyundai Accent or similar shows as $326.24 as I look at it now (random dates of June 10 to 17 since you didn't state yours).
Hard to beat! I've used Fox, it's no-frills offices, longer lines than at Hertz, but hey - wheels are wheels!
Nov 10th, 2008, 12:54 PM
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Hi Patrick---I just plugged in 10 random days into my Hertz Gold club and did not find any drop-off charge listed, but the weekly rate seemed exceedingly high. So I used the same dates with the pick-up and return airport being the same city and the weekly rate dropped an amount equal to the $250 fee that you cite. It is really kind of lousy that Hertz charges the fee but does not make it clear that they are doing so!
Nov 10th, 2008, 01:30 PM
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socialworker, you've discovered something I've talked about here for years. A number of posters often say "____ doesn't charge drop off fees", but a quick check often shows some company's rates for a one way rental just include it without calling it that. The one "good" part of that is that sometimes it would pay to do that -- but switch cars when you get to your destination, so you aren't paying the high daily 'one way' rate for the entire stay.
As I said, this probably isn't going to happen now as I don't think we'll be driving from SF to LA anyway. One thing I noticed with Fox -- at least on the carrentals.com website is that they don't even offer SUV's. With four adults that's what we'd really like to get. Their only possibility is a full size sedan, which we're not too crazy about. So far the Dollar special for a Jeep Liberty "or similar" (-- which might be what -- a Ford Escape?) is the best deal I've found.
As I said, this probably isn't going to happen now as I don't think we'll be driving from SF to LA anyway. One thing I noticed with Fox -- at least on the carrentals.com website is that they don't even offer SUV's. With four adults that's what we'd really like to get. Their only possibility is a full size sedan, which we're not too crazy about. So far the Dollar special for a Jeep Liberty "or similar" (-- which might be what -- a Ford Escape?) is the best deal I've found.
Nov 10th, 2008, 05:51 PM
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I've rented from Budget and they didn't charge a drop off fee, really. Because I compared their prices with others before I rented.
I've signed up at different car companies at my hotmail account and waited for a good deal to come my way. The good deal has usually been from Budget but I'm not attached to one car rental over another. I go with price.
You have plenty of time that this may work for you. Good luck.
I've signed up at different car companies at my hotmail account and waited for a good deal to come my way. The good deal has usually been from Budget but I'm not attached to one car rental over another. I go with price.
You have plenty of time that this may work for you. Good luck.
Nov 10th, 2008, 06:12 PM
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LSKY, my original point was that in the past I've always had no drop off fees too -- but recently they all seem to be adding them (or hiding them in the one way rate). The same is true here in Florida where there NEVER used to be drop off fees, but recently many have started it. It's made a huge difference.
By the way, Budget isn't showing a drop off "fee" for June. But when I check a 10 day rental picking up and dropping off in SFO it is $350 or so. When I drop the same car off at LAX, it jumps by $200. They don't call that a "drop off fee". I do -- it costs $200 more to drop it off in LA.
Meanwhile they are way more than the rate I'm getting for the SUV from Dollar (if I pick up AND drop off in SF).
Clark, that's amazing about Alamo. All my Brit friends cry bloody murder about the car rental rates for them in the US. Either that's new or they've just never found Alamo -- or else it doesn't apply in Florida.
By the way, Budget isn't showing a drop off "fee" for June. But when I check a 10 day rental picking up and dropping off in SFO it is $350 or so. When I drop the same car off at LAX, it jumps by $200. They don't call that a "drop off fee". I do -- it costs $200 more to drop it off in LA.
Meanwhile they are way more than the rate I'm getting for the SUV from Dollar (if I pick up AND drop off in SF).
Clark, that's amazing about Alamo. All my Brit friends cry bloody murder about the car rental rates for them in the US. Either that's new or they've just never found Alamo -- or else it doesn't apply in Florida.
