lindaschroeder

We are going to be going on a trip out east and I have only rented a car 2 times ever long time ago. Do you have any car rental suggestions or tips? We are flying into and out of Boston so we will need a car for 9 days. The dates are May 31st a Fri to June 9th a Sunday. I don't want a top of the line car but something comfortable in mid to upper range since we will be driving a good portion of the trip. What questions do I need to ask.
Smiles
Linda

kayd

Search Kayak, Expedia, Travelocity, the usual suspects. They will give you all the info you need to compare prices and vehicles.

If you will spend any time in Boston, pick up the car only as you leave the city. Driving and parking there are not for the timid (or thrifty).

NewbE

This is how I approach renting a car:
First, find out which car rental companies are at the airport you're flying into--some companies are off site, which means a longer shuttle ride. This info is available on the airport website.
Then, as kayd says, I search Kayak, Expedia and Travelocity. It can feel confusing, but just note the lowest price you see for the type of car you'd like.
I then go to the rental company's website and check to see if that really is the lowest price I can get. Also, if you are a member of USAA or AAA, check their websites to see if they offer a better deal.
I usually book from the rental company's website, but it doesn't really matter if you use a travel agency site like Expedia or Travelocity. Keep in mind that reservations are cancelable, so try searching again periodically to see if prices have dropped.

doug_stallings

A lot of companies now are offering Ford Focuses. I find these cars (though they are technically compacts) quite comfortable and easy to drive and get excellent gas mileage. And they are typically cheaper than the next-up size, the Fusion, though certainly choose one if you want a bit more room as they get almost the same mileage as a Focus. Unless you are from California, you may find that gas costs almost $1 more per gallon in the northeast than where you live.

Be aware, however, that when you rent a car, you may be offered an "upgrade" (sometimes for the same price, sometimes not). If you are driving a lot, consider carefully about accepting them since they are ordinarily the kinds of gas-guzzlers that no one else wants (often these days full-size SUVs).

I often rent from Dollar or Hertz just because I tend to get the best deals. You can also bid on Hotwire, and you can sometimes save a lot by doing that. If you want to bid, do it about a month out.

And find out if your own car insurance or your credit card covers a rental car. If so, then definitely decline the insurance, or if you want buy it from a third party, where it's usually much cheaper than from the car company. Once you have your rental, then buy the policy from Travel Guard or some other travel insurance company (if you choose to do that).

happytrailstoyou

I have had very good luck with Dollar and Thrifty, which are both owned by Hertz.

I am usually able to find a discount code, such as one of these: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/dollar.com

Also, I joined Dollar’s Fast Lane Express and Thrifty’s Blue Chip so that I can walk directly to my car without stopping at the counter.

HTTY

PS On recent trips we have be pleased with the Ford Fusion. Its ride is comfortable, its trunk is big enough for the two of us, and it gets about 28 mpg.

lindaschroeder

Great information thank you for the replies. I live in West Fargo, North Dakota so I am sure the gas prices may be a bit higher. I honestly have to look at what it is per gallon. I work from home and have a part time night job so I only have to fill about once a month

clarkgriswold

Boston hg5as some pretty high taxes and fees at the airport, it's hard to get a decent car rental rate there. Try avis.com with AWD discount code K817625 and coupon code MUWA018. (the discount code is delta airlines which anyone can join online, the coupon code is directly off the avis website).

If you're not familiar with car rental, be aware that they will try to sell you "collision damage waiver" and insurances, GPS etc. The rates may sound low but it really adds up after 9 days. Check with your home car insurance agent as you are probably already covered when renting a car...also you credit card probably covers you for collision damage so call and check beforehand. Bring a copy of your insurance info with you just in case of an accident.

If you have an Amex credit card, you can sign up for a collision waiver for $22.95 which covers the entire 9 days. Much better than the $10 to $16 per day that the car rental company will charge you. With collision waiver, you won't have to go through your own insurance company to report the damages.

jamie99

Also do not buy the option to have them fill the tank upon return, the price per gallon they charge is outrageous. Just take 10 minutes to fill the tank before returning it.

The car rental agents get commissions for selling you insurance and other extras, just be polite but firm and decline all offers.

dwdvagamundo

Second Jamie99 on gas fill-up. We did that once and will never do it again.

However, if you are actually going to drive in Massachusetts(!), you might consider CDW and a GPS. Massachusetts drivers are terrible and Boston is a very confusing city to drive in. I don't get lost often, but I got very lost driving in Boston.

doug_stallings

You can get a gps or not, but the one thing you should get is a toll pass. It's a rather outrageous cost of about $3 per day, but there are a lot of toll roads in the northeast, and this will save you a lot of time.

lindaschroeder

will the toll pass cover more than one state? We plan on driving in several of the states up in the New England area.
I would like to stay on more of the 2 lane rural roads to keep off the interstates. We are in no rush and want to stop and see sights along the way. Is it mainly interstates that have the toll roads.

Steamedcrab

If you have time, try using those search engines mentioned above several times a week for a long period before you go. I've always found that rates can fluctuate dramatically, and if you check and re-check for a while, chances are you can reduce your rental rate by a lot. Priceline is another good source for checking on rates. The reservations are almost always cancellable, in fact most rental agencies don't even require you to provide a credit card when you reserve. As mentioned above, don't get the rental company's insurance, and don't get any of their supposedly money saving fueling options, just fill it yourself on the way back to drop it off. clarkgriswold's suggestion about the Amex insurance is a good one, but I think it still doesn't cover liability (?).

doug_stallings

Yes, the toll pass system in the Northeast (called EZ Pass) stretches all the way from Maine to Pennsylvania and (I believe) at least down to the DC area. I think someone should confirm that for certain, but I can confirm that it will definitely carry you from Maine through NJ.

If the OP has car insurance, then he/she has liability coverage for rental cars, and no additional liability is needed. Some states (NY, for instance) require all rental companies to carry adequate liability insurance. If the OP does not have car insurance, then a third-party insurance plan is best. But to the best of my knowledge, only California requires drivers to have separate liability insurance. All other states require car-rental companies to have such coverage.

kayd

EZ Pass is good in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as all the way up the Northeast corridor. Is there one gap in NH, maybe? It is several years since we last went that far north and I recall having to dig for cash once.

NewbE

Actually, how much the rental company charges if you return the car with the gas tank empty really varies. Sometimes it's a competitive rate per gallon, which makes it much easier than hunting for a gas station on the way to the airport. Best thing to do is know what the going rate is and decide accordingly.

I have rented from every company under the sun, I think. They're all the same, but what varies widely is the price, from place to place and from week to week.

doug_stallings

Gas refill rates vary dramatically and can be competitive if you buy the full tank, but I think Jamie99 was talking about the ridiculous rates you are charged if you don't prepay and have it filled upon your return. Then they basically double the cost of gas at the pump or more.

lindaschroeder

Is the EZ pass something that I can purchase at the toll booth when we first come upon one or where do you purchase this pass?
Also can we purchase a 9 day pass?
We have no such toll roads out here in North Dakota. Rush hour here is taking 20 minutes to get to the other end of town instead of 15 minutes!

doug_stallings

No you can't purchase the EZ Pass unless you live in the areas it cover, you really do have to rent it. You can rent t for the duration of your car rental. Of course, the rental cst does not include the cost of tolls, which can really add up.

5alive

We had to get the EZ pass from the car rental companies. In Pittsburgh, they just offered it to us and we added it to our bill. But in New York, we apparently had to request it ahead of time. There were no cars with it available, so we were out of luck.

When you are hunting for freeway signs, the EZ pass makes for one less thing to worry about.

We did a lot of comparison shopping online for our car rentals and the best deal was using both the coupon and the websites in the Entertainment book.

Currently, if you have an accident, the car companies will not only charge you for the repairs itself, but also "loss of use" as in the rental fees they will miss out on for every day the vehicle is in the shop. You can buy insurance from the car company, but we chose to buy an inexpensive rider for one month from our own agent.

gail

The car rental process at Logan - after picking up your luggage, go outside on that level of the terminal to pick up the rental car shuttle. There is adequate signage at each terminal which will tell you which "ring" you stand in to catch your specific company's shuttle. If you have reserved a car online you can skip the desks near luggage pickup.

Different rental companies vary a bit - many allow you to checkin online and avoid the desk once you get to the car lots. Check the car carefully for damage - if you notice any, make sure it is noted on rental agreement or they will say it is your fault.

Bring or rent a GPS. Since you are touring around a lot and doing some rural roads, this is important - it will allow you to explore and wander without fear of getting back to main road.

I personally would not bother with a toll transponder (EZPass) unless you are heading south on I95 or into NYC/New Jersey. There are not a lot of tolls on highways north of Boston - mainly a few in Southern NH and on a couple of larger bridges, and the cost to me would not justify saving a few minutes at each. The Mass Turnpike runs primarily on a ticket you get upon entry and pay the entire toll upon exit - except in most eastern part. South on I95 and into NJ is a tossup - there are frequent and annoying tolls. EZPass is a card-sized plastic box you attach to your windshield - the magic electronic toll readers collect info from it at each toll and charge it to an account you set up.

I would also suggest you get a car you are comfortable with. Do the math - if you drive 500 miles, the difference in cost of gas between a car that gets 20mpg versus 25 mpg is less than $25 at current gas prices (about $3.45 north of Boston). I would stress about something else.

Have a nice trip - where are you headed?