In searching for rates for rental cars, I've found Thrifty to be consistently lower than others, however ...

In two separate Thrifty locations, I found the desk people to be aggressive, and even a little underhanded, about getting you to take the CDW insurance.

In one location, as I was answering a group of questions, the attendant said something like, "So, you want just the basic insurance, right?" I said OK, and when she handed me the rental contract, I notices there was a $21/day charge for CDW. They changed it when I said "Whoa!"

In another location, the attendant said, "And you DO want the full insurance, right?" When I said no, she launched into a long, scary tale about the dire consequences. When I still said no, she dropped it but added, "OK, but you're taking a risk."

On a related note, I talked to an acquaintance who manages an agency for a major car rental co. at a major aiport. He said his company and some others use insurance taken as a major benchmark for grading the performance of managers.

And on somewhat related note, a couple of weeks ago there was a discussion about whether the rental agencies could make you responsible for moving violations and parking tickets. I saw on my last two rental contracts that there was a separate section you had to initial agreeing to pay for any tickets incurred while you rented the car.

I've rented from Thrifty in NYC abd in Budapest and had absolutely no problems with either one. I just told them that I want absolutely no add-ons to the quoted rental rate.

Got a ticket for $40 in San Francisco; BH wants to pay (by check), I'm still irked (holiday, meter was one minute past, wouldnt' let us feed it). Will they get cc# from car rental place?

I had similar problems with Thrifty in KC. WIll not use them again in that city.

Pay the ticket because they will come after the rental car agency (who has the registration of the car), and then the rental car agency will come after you -- they have your CC #. Then, in addition to the $40, you will have to pay the penalty for not paying the ticket on time.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

Just wondering if anyone got a ticket from one of those stop light cameras while renting a car and it got back to you?

There's a great auto rental thread here from Neil Sanders about 3 months ago. Check it.

Pis

ALL the rental car agencies will try to sell you the insurance! Some are just more aggressive than others. Enterprise is one of the worst.

On our last trip earlier this month, we arrived at MSP a little after 8:00 am. Obviously the Avis folks were fresh and raring to go. They tried numerous ploys to get us to upgrade our rental. The funniest was about needing more leg room. Hubby and I are both under 5'6", don't need any extra room. They finally gave us the car assigned with a little sigh. Oh well!

The counter people for some rental car companies make commissions for "selling" insurance and/or upgrades--hence the push by some to sell you these items. I found the hard sell to be very prevalent at LAX.

You can avoid the sales pitch for insurance by signing up for a company's rental club and filling out a profile.

That way you rental agreement will be prepopulated with your preference to decline insurance.

I never get asked for insurance using Hertz Gold....the same was true when i used National and Avis.

Dick: I guess that's why we weren't hasseled about declining the insurance on Maui or Oahu! We had signed up for the club and they had the paperwork waiting for us at the desk when we arrived.

The gal with the attitude was the one actually bringing us the car, but we made sure we took the time to inspect and list any previous dings. Not more than 5 minutes involved, but she was sure rushing us!

Belle

That's a good point by Dick!