I've never rented a car before, so I'm wondering whether it's really cheaper to book it in advance online. I'm somewhat picky about make/model of the car i'd like to rent and there's no guarantee if i book it in advance, so I'd prefer to shop around when I arrive at the aiport. On the other hand it could be much more expensive to rent it on site. Does anyone know if i would pay a steep surcharge by renting directly at the airport? Also, do I have to buy insurance or my credit card usually covers it?

Where are you renting and for how long? What kind of car are you looking for? Will you be returning it to the same airport?
All of these things would affect the answers you are seeking.

Call your credit card company now and find what they will cover.

Las Vegas airport for 3 days, same drop-off. Any average size car, I would just give preference to one over another, like camry over escort for example. The problem I can't really choose the model, just the size which is pretty relative.

You can also find out which make each rental agency tends to use.

My experience has been that it's very, very much more expensive to rent same day vs. in advance. Perhaps you could find a deal some place for same day, but they know that at that point they've got you - you're there, so you've got to rent from someone. In advance you can shop around and continue to shop around for specials.

Ditto the advice that you'll have to check with your own credit card for specific car rental coverage. They vary.

One other thing - You will not actually be able to see the cars to find out what's available. You'll have to go to each and every counter and ask, since the cars are all off site. I'm not sure how many of them even have counters actually at the airport - maybe none. Do you really want to ride the shuttle bus to and from umpteen car rental agencies to find the perfect car?

Try checking websites and/or calling for the various companies, but you may really be stuck with no good options to know what you're getting before you buy.

Thanks for advice, I guess I will book online in advance. My AmEx covers insurance, I just need to decline the collision damage waiver, so it's settled.

Whats the general opinion
here regarding insurance on
rentals. Seems like they try
to add it when likely most
of us don't need it, or do we?
Isn't it similar to flight
insurance?

It's nothing remotely similar to flight insurance. They'll always ask you if you want it. It's your responsibility to decide if you do.

It's covering you in the event you have an accident while driving the rental car. Some credit cards and some personal car insurance policies will cover various costs if you're in an accident. You need to check with your own cards and insurance carriers to determine their policies and decide whether it's worth it to you to pay the rental agency for their insurance instead of using whatever you have available to you, if anything.

You're never required to have insurance on the rental car, but it's your cost if you have an accident and are uninsured.

You usually don't need to provide a credit card to reserve a rental car. So if you are truly that picky about the make of your car, and you want to invest the time to wait in line at a few different counters, then why not book a couple of reservations at the cheaper internet prices?

Well the easiest thing to do is just to not be so picky about the type of car you're going to drive for 3 days! Just pick the rental company that offers the type of car you like (their websites show their fleets) and then RELAX!

If there is some big convention in town (like AMA, NASCAR or SuperBowl) you could very well get to the counter and find out they want to charge extremely expensive pricing or that there are no cars to be found. So I'd make a reservation as a "backup" and then if you choose not to rent, just call them from a payphone or from your cell phone and cancel it, with no penalty in most c cases (assuming you didn't use a super discounter website).

Some cities (notably Phoenix) charge steep local city tax surcharges to airport renters, other don't. You need to research this one by airport location.

Even at the airport you may not know what car you're getting until you get to thte lot. They just give you something in the class you've bought (the agent can ask what have you got in a mid-siz? - but what you get depends on what's sitting on the lot - and at the airport it could be any kind of car from anywhere.

And while different companies tend to have the same "brand" cars they often switch from year to year depending on what kind of deals they can make.

Just reserve the best deal you can in advance - once you understand what the company means be different sizes - NOT the same as the car makers.

I always book ahead using my AAA discount.

Since car rental offices are not in airports at most locations, it is extremely inconvenient to shop around for a good rate except by telephone.

I would book ahead and forget it. However, you could book ahead and then call around to competing rental offices when you reach your destination. However, your calls will probably be channeled to the 800 number you could have called from home.

When I rent with Hertz, they usually give me a choice of cars and they always try to get me to upgrade.

In January at LAX I got a Ford Taurus that had been driven 5 miles for $205 a week.

I don't buy insurance; it is covered by my credit card. Check with your credit card company (and don't be intimidated into purchasing insurance you don't need).

Have no idea as to your age, but some companies will not rent if you are under age 25 and those that do will charge a surcharge for those ages 21-25.

People have been getting Intermediate cars in Las Vegas for $12/day on Priceline, if that interests you. Otherwise, I would check rentalcodes.com or mousesavers.com (look under transportation). Both sites list several discount codes for various rental car companies. One thing to check with your credit card company is if it covers liability insurance as well as collision insurance. Many credit cards do not provide liability insurance, which could cost you a tremendous amount if you were ever in a serious accident.