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-   -   Does anyone know anything abt one-way car rentals? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/does-anyone-know-anything-abt-one-way-car-rentals-517185/)

poss Mar 30th, 2005 04:50 PM

Does anyone know anything abt one-way car rentals?
 
We live on Florida's gulf coast and will be flying out of Miami for a trip to the caribbean. Would like to be able to have the return in Ft Myers-- which means we couldn't drive our own car to the Miami airport. Does anyone know any way for us to get to Miami, e.g. reasonably-priced "taxi" service or one-way car rental? Thanks.

Patrick Mar 30th, 2005 04:55 PM

poss, we live in Naples and usually fly out of Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for longer trips. We always rent a one way rental for just one day. We pick it up the day before and drop it off at whichever airport. We do the same thing in reverse when we fly home. We usually pay about $39 for the car, usually Budget or National seems to have the best fare. There is no taxi or shuttle service you can get for even three times that amount!

By the way, there are no "drop off fees" for car rentals within Florida that I'm aware of. Essentially one way will be the same as return rentals.

Patrick Mar 30th, 2005 04:58 PM

By the way, have you checked all your flying options? I was surprised as usual when recently booking round trip flights for us from RSW to New York on American. Although we fly American Eagle to Miami to pick up the non-stop to New York. Flying in and out of Ft. Myers was cheaper than the exact same flights would have been if we flew in and out of Miami. In other words, American not only threw in the Ft. Myers to Miami flights free, they even lowered the cost of the Miami to New York flight. Go figure.

poss Mar 31st, 2005 04:59 AM

Patrick-- thanks for being so helpful (we live in Bonita). Do you just call the 800 car rental #? or do you call a specific office in Naples?

poss Mar 31st, 2005 05:47 AM

Hi Patrick Poss again: Just learned that Budget and national one-way rentals are about $75. this will be in December and they say it's high because it's a busy season. so I guess driving and paying the hefty parking fee is what we'll do (and miss out on being able to get the return flight back to ft Meyers)

Unless you have other ideas ? :-)

tracys2cents Mar 31st, 2005 07:17 AM

Won't parking cost even more?

Try Avis, they should be around $50 with AAA, also check Hertz and Dollar.

Patrick Mar 31st, 2005 09:13 AM

I wouldn't expect to get an accurate idea of rental fees some 9 months ahead. The lower prices won't happen until about a month before you need it. There are lots of codes and discounts. Granted if it is right over the holidays, it may be high, but we've done it in season including mid December for the $39. rate. We always do it on line, sometimes getting the best rate through the AA site, sometimes looking at www.rentalcars.com
or with the Dollar or National site.

By the way, I don't know why I said Budget before. We usually rent through Dollar. Avis and Hertz are always WAY more here. I do have a friend who insists that if you call the local office direct and ask if they have any cars they need "returned to Miami" you can sometimes get a great deal.

milemarker0 Mar 31st, 2005 09:35 AM

Just checked on Travelocity and there are lots of options for December dates...all around $50 total for the rental.

poss Mar 31st, 2005 01:51 PM

Thanks so much everyone. I don't think I'll ever be comfortable renting or booking anything on line, Travelocity e.g. I like the idea of asking if someone need any cars returned to Miami. Much appreciate the in-put.


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