In general, cheapest place to rent a car?

[TexasTriathlete]

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What do you guys think? I really don't care what kind of car, since I'll be using it only to drive to and from interviews, the hotel, and the airport.

 

[speeter]

I always use Budget, but that's only because I'm under 25 and it's impossible to rent from anyone else.

 

[IUgrad]

I am renting a car next week, and I found that Thrifty and USave (whom I never heard of until researching) were consistently pretty cheap. Also, if you have a Sam's Club card, you can get discounts at Alamo, Hertz, Thrify and some others, so be sure to tell them that when you reserve.

There are also websites like www.cheaptickets.com and www.orbitz.com where you can search for the best car rental price, too. (However, I personally found I got a better deal with the Sam's discount by shopping around on my own.)

Good luck!

 

[prionsRbad]

Websites like www.expedia.com, www.hotwire.com and www.travelocity.com have great deals on car rentals. If you buy a car rental with a hotel stay it's even cheaper! 😀

 

[r2cole1]

Alamo has always been the most hassle free for me.

 

[Punchap]

Websites like www.expedia.com, www.hotwire.com and www.travelocity.com have great deals on car rentals. If you buy a car rental with a hotel stay it's even cheaper! 😀

That's what I did...I paid for airfare to FL, hotel and car rental in one shot (approx. $380)...not bad. I used Avis, probably not the cheapest, but reputable.

 

[saylorsdad]

Be sure to contact them in advance, if you are under 25 you will have trouble. Also make sure that either your insurance covers rentals, credit card you pay with provides insurance, or you buy insurance from them. It would really be a hastle to rent a car, have a wreck and subsequently have to pay for the repair costs.

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

I used Priceline last month and was able to get a car for $17 a day by naming my own price. The cheapest published fare at that point in time was $29 a day. I started with $13 a day and they wouldn't accept it, but suggested I try $21 a day, then I tried $17 a day and they accepted it. They bargin with all agencies, and I have used dollar, budget and now hertz through them!

 

[JimT30]

I used Priceline last month and was able to get a car for $17 a day by naming my own price. The cheapest published fare at that point in time was $29 a day. I started with $13 a day and they wouldn't accept it, but suggested I try $21 a day, then I tried $17 a day and they accepted it. They bargin with all agencies, and I have used dollar, budget and now hertz through them!

I second priceline, I got my car in Phoenix for $11/day and then I used them for a luxury car in Florida and got $30/day. I highly recommend priceline for cars and hotwire for hotels!

 

[Powdermonkey]

Have you looked into broom rentals? You are going to a DO interview, right? Might as well fit in...

 

[Concubine]

I use enterprise since I'm under 25. Usually ends up being about $46 per day.

 

[JaggerPlate]

What do you guys think? I really don't care what kind of car, since I'll be using it only to drive to and from interviews, the hotel, and the airport.

Rent like a Viper or a Corvette ... that way you will look like a million bucks crusing around in that wearing your suit. This energy will convert to confidence, and you will interview like a champ - leading to an acceptance. Personally, I don't think you would feel that way in a Ford Escort ... but if you don't really want to go to Med school ... I mean ... that's your decision, whateverr. 👍

 

[Jack Daniel]

Check out a company called Rent-a-Wreck. In my experience it has often been cheaper than the larger national chains. Also, companies in airports tack on extra fees and taxes, so getting a company outside an airport will probably save you money.

 

[mshheaddoc]

My advice? Call around and use organizational memberships. I got an AMSA, AAA, and Sam's club membership for the lowest rate I could find and it beat all my other quotes by $100. It was with Alamo.

Call up and tell them all the memberships you have and they can sort it out for you, ask for their BEST offer, sometimes they don't give you that. 🙄

Oh and if you're under 25, yes you will have a huge issue getting a car (and/or surcharge). It sucks and usually its anywhere from $25-40/day.

 

[Enginerds]

I suggest priceline as well. It is definitely the best price I have found. I can usually get pretty low rates with my corporate discount, but priceline consistently beats the corporate rate. Like the others suggested, try naming your own price.

Hey JimT, does hotwire ever give you some trashy no-name hotel? I was looking into using them for Ft. Lauderdale but some of the 3-star hotels in the area look pretty bad, most of them non-name brand hotels. Others look fine, like Holiday Inn or Radisson.