Hi,

Planning a 1-wk trip to Austin in Sep & need to decide which rental car company to use. Need a large vehicle - originally was thinking mini van but it seems standard SUVs are cheaper and would give us the room we need. (3-4 adults + 1 infant + wheelchair + stroller)

Any advice as to which rental car company to go with? We'll need to pick up at the airport.

Thanks much for the advice!

-Sandra

I don't think it matters which company you go with. Just find the cheapest rate for the type of vehicle you want.

I like to use orbitz.com for rental car comparison shopping, then go directly to the co website to book. All of the rental car co's are located directly adjacent to the terminal in the parking garage, so there really is no convenience of one over another. The obvious exception would be something like Hertz Gold club, where you simply look for your name on the board and get in your car.

Pick the one with the best price - they all rent basically the same vehicles.

I always end up renting from Alamo. They usually have good rates.

At their home page www.alamo.com, you'll see a "Hot Deals" tab. If you give them your email address, they will send you weekly emails with their specials. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Search on Hotwire for your size vehicle. It will give you a total including taxes, charges. Then bid on Priceline.
Do not be fooled by a "standard" SUV. It will be Jeep Liberty or Ford Explorer type (look at the designations). If that is big enough, OK. You might really prefer a mini-van.
It doesn't make any difference for the company. What someone else said--just get the cheapest rate for what you want.
The sooner you rent the better the rate will be, in my experience. And if it is over a week-end when there is a home game, good luck!!!

Thanks everyone!!!