Songdoc

I'll fly into Las Vegas, spend the night at a hotel (TBD), rent a car then drive to Zion and Bryce. When I return the car (6 days later) I'll overnight again in Las Vegas before a morning flight.

Here's the question: I was looking at various car rentals and the lower-priced options (i.e., Fox, Economy, Ace ...) cost at least $50 less than the majors. But the lower-priced companies state that they require "two shuttles." How much of a hassle is that?

Thanks!

ziggypop

Hi Songdoc, It's been 3-4 years but I rented from Dollar and it was 1 easy shuttle ride to the car rental center. I doubt the center has moved but did you map the address and see how far it is from the airport?
The center was south of the airport and south of the freeway. From what I remember all of the car rental companies were close together.
Perhaps they counted inside the airport shuttle as 1 of the shuttles?

J62

Dollar, Hertz, Avis, and other majores are in the centralized rental car center, which is 1 shuttle ride. As noted, others require you to take an additional shuttle. For me the hassle is $51, which makes a $50 savings a net loss.

I rent from hertz and with my corporate discount it's usually the best price anyway. More importantly, the known, quick check out (Hertz gold just go get in a car) and return (drop off and go) process are a big plus. I'd be more bothered by a slow checkout / return process at one of the minors than a 2nd shuttle.

tomfuller

I rented ONCE from Fox at Las Vegas. When I got there they had rented out the last economy car and I ended up with a ragtop Jeep. Driving south on I-15 was a bit loud and I found that one of the tires had slightly low air pressure. After I got the tire pressures OK, I did enjoy a drive in the Mojave Desert to find some geocaches. Please don't rent from Fox or anyone else that requires a second shuttle ride.
The best rental I ever got from Las Vegas was from the one who lets you "pick any car from the aisle". I got a little Mazda for $14/day (best ever). The car had less than 1K miles on it when I picked it up. I got it with a bid on Priceline.
Depending on how early in the morning your flight is, you could spend the night in Henderson and avoid the drive down "The Strip" to get to the airport rental facility.

Songdoc

Hertz: $315 (w/disc code & corp #)

Fox: $195.96

That's an awfully big price difference! I've never had a problem with Fox ...

Hmmm...

tomfuller

Unless Fox has improved their image since the last time I rented from them (I doubt) I'll never rent from them again. I rented once with them in SLC and left the lot with 90psi in one of the tires and the others were from 28- 38psi. The maintenance on their vehicles sucks IMO. I usually get the best deal on a rental car through Expedia or Priceline. Hertz jacks up the price if there is a big event going on in the area. Is this the case? Usually I can get an economy or compact car in LV for $22/day or less by using a website other than the Corporate website.

ziggypop

I joined Dollar's club and enjoyed it's many perks. The price is in line with Fox and since they have your rental information when you join you pretty much show up, grab a car and off you go. Fastlane is the name, if they are out of your rented vechile size you get a free upgrade. Enjoy Zion, if you have time stop in Painted Desert on the way, a couple hour tour through a state park.

Songdoc

ziggypop: thanks for that suggestion!

Tom: I appreciate that feedback. I'll cross Fox off my list. There are several lower-priced agencies that require two shuttles. I'm guessing I've figured it out. My hunch is that from the airport you take a shuttle to the main rental car facility and from there, an additional shuttle to the lower-priced agencies.

I'll check out Dollar. The prices I'm seeing seem exceptionally high. I don't know if there is something special going on that week. I'll be renting April 28 (or 29th if I wait until the next morning to p/u) and returning May 4th.

Thx for all your help!

PaulRabe

There's a URL that can answer your question. I looked up April 28 to May 7 of this year, and found three somewhat large conventions going on at that time.
https://tinyurl.com/LV-Convention

tomfuller

Any chance that you could start and end the trip in SLC? You could include Capitol Reef and Highway 12 on your way to Bryce Canyon. Don't go to Fox in SLC either!
With Lightfair and the National Hardware Convention both at the Convention Center, the rental car facility will be very busy.

judio

it is a hassle the shuttle takes you far from the airport. and then returning is a long ride back

Songdoc

Tom: the non-refundable flights are locked in .
But thanks for the suggestion.

Nelson

In March 2016 we rented a car from Enterprise for one week for $157. The office we used is located in Tropicana across Vegas Blvd from Luxor, which is where we stayed. So we just walked across the street to get the car. We drove it to Death Valley and back.

Good luck, Zion is spectacular.

travlsolo2

My method for car rental in Las Vegas (annual trip to Utah to visit family)) has been to check Dollar website (click on city specials), make a reservation, then check back weekly or every couple days, cancel and make new reservation whenever the price goes down. This past January I made new and cancelled 6 times before final reservation. Total price for 10 days went from 500something to 262 for a midsize car. We picked a Nissan Sentra from the line of cars.

We stay in a mid-strip hotel the first night (15 parking fee) then head to Utah the next morning. On return we drive from St George directly to the rental center, stopping at a Shell station across Las Vegas Boulevard from Mandalay Bay to fill up the gas tank, although there appears to be a new gas station directly across from the McCarran rental center.

Songdoc

Nelson & travlsolo2: Thanks so much. This is great info!
I usually book through Costco and keep rebooking as the price drops. But this time their price was high.
I'll keep looking.

FYI, the Enterprise locations (away from the main rental facility) will be closed when I arrive late at night.

Re the Las Vegas hotel: I'll get in late at night and will leave the next morning so I don't care where I stay. Same thing when I leave Las Vegas. So someplace close to the rental car p/u would probably be best -- but it seems the fancy casinos on the strip are cheaper because they expect you to gamble!

tomfuller

If I want to avoid driving on the strip to get to the rental car facility, I have stayed at the Fiesta in Henderson. They also have a pretty good breakfast too.

J62

My last trip to Zion i flew into Vegas late as you are. I booked a cheap but good chain hotel a few exits north of the city so that at day break I was already past traffic and on my way to Zion.

starrs

When I flew into LV a few months ago, I was shocked at how close the airport was to my hotel. I always rent from National or Hertz so I can choose my own car from the garage. (National always and Hertz if you book an intermedite car or larger. I always book intermediate and almost always drive out with an SUV).

Personally, I would take an Uber from the airport to a hotel near an Enterprise location and pick up the rental car the next morning. You will probably save $ on airport fees if you do that. Worth checking into anyway. I'd check by booking directly on the Enterprise website instead of a third party vendor. Check their price and then check the price through a third party vendor.

tom_mn

Sixt is a "double shuttle" company in LV but it is literally across the street from the consolidated car rental facility, an easy walk with luggage. So no need to use the second shuttle.

oldemalloy

The suggestion to look for lodging a few exits north of the strip is good. Many of the hotels along the strip charge for parking and also have hearty resort fees, so the low rates are not so low.