Urban Skills: Renting A Car
OK, not knowing which side the gas tank is on (See Urban Skills: On The Road) has not been my only rental car deficiency. I’ve paid too much, I’ve selected cars so small that we looked like the Joab family on vacation with kids, suitcases, briefcases, and computer bags fighting for space, I’ve attempted to turn on the windshield wipers only to discover that Top 40 FM radio doesn’t do much to clear away sheets of water. Even more worrisome is my vague uneasiness over a batch of issues (e.g., which insurance options I should take or if it makes any difference if I return the car early) that I know I’ve read something about somewhere sometime, a level of ignorance which is hardly reassuring when standing at the desk of Easy Greasy Rentals with two kids in tow, 42 impatient customers in line behind me, and a clerk asking me, with a mixture of alarm, contempt, and pity, if I’m sure I don’t want the Double Deluxe Super Duper This Week Only Special Sliding Scale Logarithmic Payment Schedule deal.
Consequently, I put together, for my own use, this information about renting cars (current as of May 2006). I’m posting it here in case anyone else might be similarly uneasy about how this industry operates. THIS IS PRESENTED FOR USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I cannot warrant any of this information, guarantee its accuracy, or be responsible for any consequences should you take actions based on it. As always, your mileage may vary.
So, this post is a summary of what I’ve learned, some of it the hard way and the rest gathered from various sources. The specifics are after the jump.
If you read nothing else, I urge you to review the checklists mentioned in the Before You Drive Off The Rental Agency Location section:
The Rental Company & Fees
With the advent of Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, and their congeners, comparing fees is no longer traumatic, especially if you realize that spending hours getting the very lowest price lest any of your friends condescendingly ask why you paid so much more than the going rate at Carl’s Car & Codfish Rental, is a misuse of ones life (i.e., you’re a woman).
Since my own experience, what my friends tell me, and what I read are in agreement that the major rental companies vary so much from year to year and from location to location that none is a surefire winner or loser in the quality/service sweepstakes, it makes sense, unless you have knowledge of a particularly stellar or horrid agency, to run a quick comparison of major agencies1 and choose the car with the lowest cost.
Prices change frequently and without warning , sometimes by a lot. Once you’ve reserved your car, recheck the site at least weekly and rebook if the price drops.
Risk Is Rewarded
If you’re braver and more flexible than me (approximately 86% of the population meet these qualifications), you should take a look at other two sites that I have personally never used because I’m a wuss:
Hotwire: Select your dates and location; they offer you the “best deal available,” which is typically well below the going rate. The gimmick is that you don’t find out which rental agency is making that offer until after you’ve accepted the deal. And, once you’ve accepted, it’s over – no refunds, no exchanges.
Priceline: Similar to Hotwire, except that you make a bid on the days, car, and location – but not the specific agency – you want. From all I’ve read, it’s possible to get incredibly good daily rate but obviously you much do your homework to know how much to bid. And, once you enter a bid and it’s accepted, it’s a done deal – no refunds, no exchanges.
According to reports from consumers, Hotwire and Priceline rates are often less than 50% of the cheapest rates quoted on the rental car sites.
At The Rental Agency Desk
1. Politely and, if need be, repeatedly refuse the insurance add-ons unless you’ve decided beforehand that you need it. Often, agents have been trained to persist until the customer turns down the offer three times. See the Insurance section below.
2. Politely refuse upgrade offers, especially “recommended upgrade” offers. Rental agencies attempt to maximize income from each customer so the agent may be trained to offer upgrades to a bigger car for “only a few more dollars a day.” The offer may also be made if they have no any cars left in the category you reserved; in that case, refusing to pay for an upgrade means you will be offered a larger vehicle without additional charge. Even if the upgrade is free, be aware that you may pay more for gasoline.
3. Ask for a duplicate set of keys. Don’t keep your duplicate set of keys in the car or linked to the original set of keys. Keep them in your pocket or ask a friend to hold them for you.
4. Ask what you are to do — specifically — if the car breaks down, you lose your key, or you lock yourself out of the car. Make sure you know which procedure to use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Keep the phone number you are to call with you (not locked in the car) at all times.
Car Size
The guideline re car size is that there are no guidelines. Because of the recent increases in gas prices and ever-fluctuating vehicle inventories, for example, compact cars may cost more than larger models. In addition, terms such as compact, full-size, and intermediate mean – well, not much. Officially, car classifications are based primarily on size but are sometimes influenced by a car’s accessories. A car could, for example, get classified up to the next size if it has a hot-shot CD player and one of those seats that move 18 ways, neither of which, of course, makes that suitcase fit. And, classifications may vary from agency to agency; Hertz, for instance, considers the Dodge Magnum an SUV; Thrifty calls it full-size.
The Message: Don’t count on getting a specific car (e.g., a Toyota Camry) regardless of what the web site says. Choose by the guidelines on space for passengers and luggage. If the car you get is clearly smaller than the car you reserved and you do not agree that it’s similar to what you ordered, ask the manger for a more suitable car before leaving the location.
Discounts
1. Eligibility for “Senior Discounts” varies but at least one chain (National) offers special rates to anyone 50 or older. Typically, discounts cannot be combined so you may be able to do better using another promotion or organizational discount (AAA, Costco, etc)
2. Almost every association offers a special discount affinity program.2 The problem is that it’s difficult to figure out the value of these discounts since they are often tied to one or more rental agencies and specials for weekends, holidays, and special promotions are confusing. Still, they can be substantial (some Costco discounts, for example, are a legit 25% off) and are worth checking.
3. Entertainment books also include auto rental discounts.
Insurance
Most personal auto insurance policies that include collision coverage, not just liability and many major credit cards provide coverage for rental cars, but for goodness sake, don’t blindly count on this. If you are not certain that your current auto insurance covers rental cars, call or email your agent now. If you are not certain your credit card provides coverage, contact the issuer of that card to find out3 – now.
And, yes, you have to pay for the rental with that credit card for it to provide coverage. Usually, credit cards cover only damage to the car, not liability.
Have you called your insurance agent and credit card company yet?
No? Do you feel lucky, Punk?
Well, do you?
Gas Plans
This is an easy one. Don’t take the prepaid gasoline plan. Always fill the tank before returning the vehicle, and keep the receipt. I was charged $40+ for returning a car with an allegedly empty tank until I faxed the agency a gas station receipt with a time-date stamp printed within 30 minutes of my return of the car.
Before You Drive Off The Rental Agency Location
The Message: Inspect the entire car for damage and make sure everything vital (e.g., turn signals, lights, wipers) if functional before driving away. Any damage should be noted on the rental agreement. Anything that doesn’t work must be fixed before you leave. And. no, it is not enough that the nice man assured you there would be no problem with X. As a rule, it’s true that verbal agreements are not worth the paper they are written on.
To accomplish this efficiently and effectively, check out these checklists:
- Rental Car Safety Checklist
- Getting To Know Your Rental Car - 15 Things to Check
[Note: This web page has lots-o-links and ads dealing with car rental. Don't be discouraged. There are also lots of useful tips dealing with car rental.]
Returning The Car
1. Return the car at the scheduled time. Early returns can change your rate structure (e.g., returning the car Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning can eliminate a “stay over Saturday night” discount).
2. If at all possible, make sure the car is inspected in your presence. There has been an increase in complaints of rental agencies charging for damages the customer denies causing. My schedule often requires me to return the rental car before the agency is open for the day, and this year I am considering documenting the odometer reading and final condition of the car with photos (with a proof of date, such as that day’s newspaper, included in the pictures).
3. Review the final rental agreement carefully to make sure all charges are appropriate.
Footnotes
- While only a few local agencies are catastrophes, those do exist, and rather than risk a disaster, it’s probably best, unless you’re personally familiar with a specific local agency, to go with national chains. ~back~
- A sampling includes Airplane Owner and Pilots Association, AARP, AMA, APA, University of Kansas Alumni Association , Costco , AAA Illinois , National Education Association , American Academy of Audiology , National Association of Broadcasters , American Pool Players Association , Massachusetts Bar Association , Divers Alert Network , Actors’ Equity association , Oral Roberts University, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Marine Technology Society , Australian Veterinary Association ~back~
- This is the kind of response you should get from your credit card company:
Dear DrHGuy:
Your account does have the benefit of free auto rental
insurance available when you use your Chase credit card to
reserve and pay for the rental vehicle. The insurance
provides coverage for damage due to collision or theft of
most rental vehicles within the U.S. and most foreign
countries.As the insurance benefit is provided directly through the
Visa Association, for additional information on this
service, please contact Visa Assistance directly at
1-800-VISA-911 (847-2911). Representatives are available
24 hours a day, seven days a week ~back~
