Hi,
Believe it or not, I'm going to be going on my first vacation where I need to get a rental car. Any advice what I need to look for when I'm renting? Does unlimited miles come with most packages, or is that a typical extra? Are there any national companies to avoid? Thanks in advance for your help.

Are you over 25? If you're under you'll get charged an extra fee. If you're under 21 you most likely won't be able to rent at all.

Most US rentals are unlimited mileage. One way rentals add drop charges and/or mileage fees.

Keep in mind that when you rent, the prices quoted are plus tax and you'll be responsible for filling the tank up, or paying the rental agency's jacked up rate for gas.

The national companies are all good. The best deals tend to be with Alamo, Thrifty and Dollar. That doesn't mean that you won't get a good deal with Avis, Hertz or National though. But, they cater mostly to business travelers and their rates reflect that.

I've had the worst experience with local rental agencies. Dead batteries, slow leaking flats, and sticking locks.

They'll try and hit you up for insurance coverage. If you use a credit card, you probably won't need any. Check your personal auto insurance. Many cover rentals. If you take the insurance, your bill will really go up.

Try and book on-line. It's almost always cheaper than calling.

Go to several sites and compare.

Keep in mind that the first price you see will usually be the base price. Taxes, other misc. fees will be added on to that (which by the way, you have to pay. No choice, unlike the insurance).

If you have AAA, get a Hertz coupon from them. You get a AAA 10% plus an additional discount for the coupon. Another plus with Hertz is they have GPS (Is is $8.00 a day, but worth it.)

Also, check out www.rentalcodes.com.

Careful with those Hertz coupons, their rates often come out better when you don't have a coupon. Their explanation is that "coupons don't always apply to our lowest rates".

I would stick with one of the national companies -- Hertz, Avis, National, Alamo, Thrifty, etc. If there is a problem, the companies have enough locations that they can probably take care of it quickly no matter where you are. If when you are checking in they ask you about PURCHASING an upgrade, my policy is not to -- assuming that I am reasonably satisfied with the class of car I have reserved; they may have no more in the reserved class and will have to upgrade you at your reserved rate. On the other hand, check out the car fairly carefully -- locate light switches, adjust mirrors and seat (they are usually left in the position used for cleaning), no-smoke odor (if it bothers you), no dents, tires look OK; if there is a problem -- or if you REALLY do not like the car for some objective reason -- go back to the desk and try to get the problem taken care of immediately. Although the GPS is nice, I would never reserve a car that has it; it may be there anyway, and if not reserved as an extra, it comes at no added charge.

Call your local school to see if anyone is selling Entertainment books. You can reserve the car on line and then use your coupon. Some are good gor 20% off, others offer free upgrades. The books can pay for themselves very fast. You can also go onlie to www.entertainment.com

Avis gives AAA members a 10-percent discount, no coupons requierd -- in fact, they didn't even ask to see my card!

If you are driving to more than 1 state make sure that unlimited is not limited to that state and maybe its bordering states
most big companys dont

Rates and mileage vary, though most national companies offer unlimited mileage unless you will be driving the vehicle out of the state where you rent it. Lately I have found that Enterprise usually has the best rates, though their cars tend to have fewer bells and whistles like power windows and door locks. They are also notorious for trying to get you to buy an upgrade at check-in; as noted above, resist this!
Whatever company you use here4 are the basic caveats:
1. Do a walkaround inspection of the vehicle before you take possession of it and have them note even the slightest ding, scratch or dent.
2. The fuel purchase option (you pay in advance for a full tank of gas then return it with whatever is left) is usually not a bargain unless you know you will be burning up the whole tank of gas.
3. Check with your insurance comapny and your credit card to see what coverage you alrady have. 99.9% of the time you do NOT need the extra coverage they try to sell you, though they often try like the dickens to scare you into buying it.
4. Find out whether the counter is on the airport or off-airport, and what their hours are. Sometimes an off-airport agency is much cheaper, but it is worth it only if the location is convenient.

Stay away from Advantage if you can. I recently rented from them (again) and they did the old bait and switch trick - they give you a lower class car but charge you for a higher class one. I have tried to contact them but they have yet to respond. I did ask the clerk at the desk at the time of the rental, but was told that the price was correct.