NYC: Discount car rental
 

We want to pick up a car in Manhattan and return it to LGA. Near as I can figure, Priceline and other discount sites only accept airport/airport rez.

Exploring National's website, where I was able to specify a midtown east pick up and LGA return, I got a quote of about $285 (Thurs aft-Sun am). Any suggestions how to get a more reasonable - i.e., discount - price?

All of the majors have locations in Manhattan. I think you just have to try each one. Have you checked to see the difference in price if you pick up at LGA and return there? LGA is not that far from the city. A cab would cost $30-35 and the trip takes ~40 mins. average. Might be worth your time to pay for the cab if the price difference is big enough.

I'd be the one in the corner, wearing the dunce cap, Mclaurie! Guess my brain is not in gear this early in the morning. After I posted, it dawned on me that the cost of going out to LGA to get a car would be more than offset by the savings...for instance, when I checked on Hotwire, cost went down to $134. Thanks for the reply!

I hope you are using the car to get out of the city and not trying to use the car to drive around Manhattan. We already have way too much traffic, nowhere to park and you will get lost I promise.

If you are just coming to visit the city, PLEASE take public transit bus/subway and taxis.

Starting the begining of November is the worst traffic problems and that goes through the new year, with lots of visitors wanting to shop, see the decorations and everything else the city has to offer, and at times the city comes to a standstill because of the awful traffic.

Sorry to be preachy but you would be surprised at how bad the traffic is sometimes and it mostly comes from out of towners.

No, tuckerdc's not using it for NYC.

That price is almost too good to be true. Please doublecheck on the taxes and extras so you don't get a surprise at the counter.