Rental cars and which....
 

company is the best to rent from. I'm heading on a cross-country trip in late March to mid-April. Going from San Fran to Florida, one-way.<BR><BR>I have been looking at Expedia, Orbitz and the rental car compainies websites themselves. Does anyone here have an opinion or a way to help me decide which company to go with. <BR><BR>I'm traveling with my wife. No kids or anything else, just the two of us. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. i.e.:inexpensive places to stay, places to eat(good, but no too pricey). Thanks.<BR><BR>Margaritaville Dan

As what looks like from your name a fellow Parrothead, I wish I could help you out more than just taking your post to the top - but we've always just rented in Florida. We've had a lot of luck with Budget, but I don't know whether to recommend them for a one-way or not. Good luck - fins to the right!

Sometimes car rental companies have good rates on such one-way trips when they're trying to move more cars to one area of the country.<BR><BR>I don't know if any companies want to move their fleet to gear up for Florida spring break time. I would check all the major companies and see what you find.

Car rentals are like airfares. There is no one best company. And a great rate can be there in the morning, and gone in the afternoon. You are more likely to get good one-way rates with your larger companies, simply because of the number of cars they have in their float. <BR><BR>Also, you don't mention your city destination in FL. If you're going to some place like, say, Ocala, a good one-way rate might be less available than MIA.<BR><BR>And don't skimp on car size to save money. Many years ago, during a '70s gas crunch, I was talking with a used-car salesman. He'd recently returned to MD from a trip out to SD to see family over the holidays. "One of the dumbest things I've ever done was to take a Pinto to save on gas," he said. "Never again."

Thanks for the replies. I (used to and will again) live in Tampa. Thus, it is easy to drop the car off at Tampa Intl, Clearwater/St.Pete., heck, even Orlando if I can get a good rate. <BR><BR>Thanks for the advice about the size. I was planning on at least an economy and upgrading there. That's what I read on another site to save a few bucks, but now I'm not so sure. Anyway, thanks again and <BR><BR>"Yes I am a pirate,<BR> two-hundred yrs too late,...."<BR><BR>Margaritaville Dan