HELP, young Driver renting a car at LAX
 

I write from Italy.
My 24 years old Daughter will visit California next summer.
She will use LAX airport and then drive along the coast to Oregon and back, for about 3 weeks.

She intends to rent a car BUT most of Companies are asking more than 20 dollars per day as extra-charge related to her age.

She has the driving license from more than 6 years without any problem or incident!!!

Is it possible to avoid this huge cost?
Is there any (reliable) Rental Car Company that has no or lower surcharge for young drivers?

Grazie, arrivederci.

We have never found one that does not have a large surcharge for those under age 25. They will also charge her for lots of "optional" insurance - and this price is not always listed in the price quoted. This insurance charge has to do with her being from someplace other than US, not her age.

Have a look at your local Alamo site. I believe their minimum age is 21 if you book from Europe. You will often get a better deal booking the car with your local office than doing it with an American one.

Oops sorry ,I just found and read their small print - they to have a $20 pd surcharge. I do remember seeing one company that offered cars for younger drivers. I'll see if I can remember which one it was.

I found this German site which offers Alamo U25 at a good rate: http://tinyurl.com/6zj4ls. Maybe there is something similar in Italy. Contact Alamo Italy and ask about their special U25 rates maybe?

Try Enterprise.

www.enterprise.com

Sometimes you can find a coupon code that will waive underage driving fees. The expiration date is the problem. But she can keep looking before her trip. Here is where I find very good codes (sometimes only for Florida).

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

I found these there:

Dollar: MasterCard cardholders can use Corporate Discount (CD) number BR0312 to get an extra 5% off their rental when booking online with Dollar. Additional driver and underage driver fees are also included at no charge for leisure rentals. Valid in the US and Canada. Entire payment must be made on a valid MasterCard. Code is valid through 5/11/08.


National: Visa Card International Contract ID is 8572987. This is a great ID because it is valid internationally and in addition to providing up to a 20% a discount on your base rate, it includes many fees that can add to the cost of your rental. For instance, on an Orlando rental I found it covered the Loss Damage Waiver, Supplemental Liability Insurance, Concession Fee Recovery Charge, Florida Surcharge, Tire/Battery Fee and License Recoupment Fee. Reservations must be made in advance and are subject to availability. Certain blackout dates may apply. Discount may not be combined with any other discounted or promotional rate. National Car Rental’s standard terms and conditions of rental from the renting country plus driver and insurance qualifications apply. Offer available only to Visa cardholders when paying with their Visa card at time of rental.

Enterprise doesn't allow their cars to be driven outside California, Nevada and Arizona. (They also charge for driver ages under 25.)

Try a company in Los Angeles called Rent a Wreck.....they often rent to young actors and actress' and that may be a good place to start.

Fox Rent A Car at LAX has this policy <http://tinyurl.com/6hq7vp> on age of renters and drivers:

"Minimum age for renters and drivers is 21."

As far as going to Oregon:

"Vehicles must remain in the states of WA, OR, CA, AZ, UT, NV, CO, ID, WY, and NM only. (You may drive FOX vehicle into Mexico, only if you have purchased Mexico insurance)."

This may solve your problem.

Ciao Gianni.

Did you properly understand the website which Orlando_Vic posted for you? Did you understand the abbreviations for our states? OR means Oregon.

But on that website it states that there will be a $20.00 a day extra charge for those drivers under the age of 25 years of age.

Gianni, when you say "next summer" do you mean the summer of 2008 or the summer of 2009? I think you mean the summer of 2008, am I correct?

Try deluxerentalcar.com. The underage fee is (or last time i checked) was $10.oo a day. They change their prices constantly so if you don't see something you like keep checking back - even after you have booked. Don't forget to print out the coupons in the "deals" section to save at least 10% off the prices quoted.

We have a second home in LA and rent for long periods of time often. Trust me, thiey have the best deals. Be patient.

Grazie to ALL of you!

The "next summer" is 2008, she will arrive at LAX on 30th July and leave 20th of August.

.... classic italian holiday period!!!

Ciao, I'll check last advice.

Arrivederci.
Gianni