stillhouse

I'd appreciate suggestions in trying to find the best rate for a compact car with pick up in Portland and drop off in San Francisco. Will have to pay for 2 drivers (non spouse). Last year I rented a car from Fox which had no extra charge for alternate drop off in state or extra driver. Unfortunately, they do not rent in Oregon.

Charges are much higher than antidipated. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

tomfuller

What do you want to see between PDX and San Francisco?
I would suggest riding a train from Portland to Eugene and renting a car there to see some of the Oregon sights. Return the car in Eugene and ride the Coast Starlight south overnight to either Sacramento or Oakland. Rent a car in CA to see what you want to see in CA and return it where you rented.
I've had enough problems with FOX that makes me think I'll never rent from them again.

tracys2cents

Are any of the drivers U.K. or Australian citizens? The rates are half what they are for U.S. citizens. I thought you weren't supposed to discriminate based on national origin but the car companies sure do it.

janisj

Amtrak really doesn't make sense to get around car drop off fees. Lots of reasons including . . . the cost of the train tickets, and that amtrak often runs hours late on that route.

that being said, what is your itinerary, what are you hoping to see in CA and OR, and what are you being quoted for how long a rental?

Also - your title says PDX and SFO. Those are the airports. Maybe rental/drop off is less expensive at non-airport locations in Portland, San Francisco or Oakland.

tracys2cents

Looks like there is a 17% tax at the airport that you would avoid if you picked up the car downtown Portland or outskirts.

stillhouse

We are visiting family/friends in Roseburg, OR and Sebastapol, CA. Because of timimg and time limitations, we need to pick up the car and drop it off at the airport.

janisj

"Because of timimg and time limitations, we need to pick up the car and drop it off at the airport."

It seldom takes too much extra time to pick up a car off airport. And often saves a lot of money. If you must have the convenience of getting the car at the airport, there are costs. Just a fact of life.

tomfuller

In the 7 hours that it takes to drive from Roseburg to Sebastopol, you could drive the rental back to PDX and fly PDX to Sacramento (SMF) rent another car and drive to Sebastopol.
I keep trying to convince people that there are more airports in California than SFO, LAX and SND.
Roseburg is only 192 miles down I-205 and I-5 from PDX.

clarkgriswold

What are the prices you're finding? Average looks like around $320 for a week, that's not bad. Maybe AAA or Costco membership will get the 2nd driver fee waived, in many states there's no fee for the spouse.