Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

stoneman

Talking about car hire. We actually had an issue of once getting a car and the next day had to return it because of a bad rattle. They just said pick anything from that row, pointing at full size, we had booked compact.

Now we do it every time, book the cheapest and take it back the next day with some mechanical "problem" they are only too happy to upgrade us for free. Last trip we had a Caliber, shudder!!! Took it back with a whining dif and got put in a nice Chrysler 200, this was at TI.

vegasvisitor

Funny you should say that Stoneman....we were in a bump last year in Vegas (was overtaken by someone who decided to use the left turn lane as an overtaking lane and flew back in in front and caught our bumper). Bumper was loose as it had partially came off, and we had popped it back on. This was a Focus (we had booked the category with Focus on it because we were driving to LA and wanted something guaranteed decent size). Anyway when we returned they tried to give us a Fiesta. I went back to the desk and complained and they gave me something bigger (can't remember what), yet claimed that a Fiesta is the same size as a Focus. So we took the other car which was fine but it shuddered and I thought it wobbled when I braked (maybe suspension or something), so I took it back as I didn't want to drive to LA in it. They then said they'd upgrade us to an Impala. It was huge, the boot was massive. We got 2 large and 2 small suitcases in the boot, cool bag etc and all our loose junk. Even the valet commented how huge the 'trunk' was. It was nice for the long drive.

To be honest, this time I don't care if we get a Fiesta, but the lowest category is a Chevy Aveo and I really don't want one of those. Test drove one in the UK years ago (Daewoo Matiz - nI'm thinking it's the same thing) and it was horrendous. Only about £10 max more for the Focus for the week so I think we'll play it safe this time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not fussy about cars, I only drive a Toyota Auris at home, so I'm not really dead set on a big car, I just like the safer feeling of a bigger car in the states.

Not sure what Chrysler that is Stoneman, but we had a PT Cruiser in Florida one year and I really liked it. Nice low ledge to get your luggage in and out. It guzzled petrol for the size of it. We also had a Dodge Grand Caravan one year because there were 6 of us and it was nice once I got used to the size. I drove a Yaris at the time, and it was way to big for me at first! I actually like Dodge Calibers though. My least favourite hire car was a Nissan Verso. It seemed really narrow and light. I kept slamming doors and the boot etc by accident.

vegasvisitor

Oh, forgot to ask, has anyone done a rental without fuel from Dollar TI? I assume they give you the car with a full tank and you return with a full tank and receipt for the last fill up? I think that's what other rental companies do. I can't seem to get the fuel through Carhire3000, when I select to add the fuel upgrade and go to the next page it changes my selection to the Airport. Don't want to be going to the airport as it will be mid-trip for us so we won't be at the airport at either end of the rental period.

Did I say it was 6 weeks and 2 days until we go? I think that's 44 days

stoneman

lesley74 wrote: »

Oh, forgot to ask, has anyone done a rental without fuel from Dollar TI? I assume they give you the car with a full tank and you return with a full tank and receipt for the last fill up? I think that's what other rental companies do. I can't seem to get the fuel through Carhire3000, when I select to add the fuel upgrade and go to the next page it changes my selection to the Airport. Don't want to be going to the airport as it will be mid-trip for us so we won't be at the airport at either end of the rental period.

Did I say it was 6 weeks and 2 days until we go? I think that's 44 days

I think someone mentioned before that you can ask them if they have a car that's not been filled up yet, but I don't know if that was from TI.
BTW just a word of warning, do not bring the car back more than an hour late.
We did that once with Dollar and next month my CC bill had been charged $93 dollars. I phoned them up about it and they said it was because of a late arrival and they charge rack rate plus they add on all of their insurances and fees. The guy said that it all would have been on the slip I was given when I brought the car back.
Funny thing was that I never got the slip, the guy who checked the car back in said that his scanner had run out of paper, and did I want to wait for him to go back and load it up again but I didn't have to as there was nothing to pay!
I assume that they are told to use that excuse if there is a fee to pay to stop people going to the kiosk and complaining.

Mich81

Is it worth having a car in Vegas then?

I have been considering it, as I'm taking my mum who has Rheumatoid Arthritis. And it would be handy for trips to Walmart etc.

What are the parking charges like?

StuieUK34

defo handy to have!!!!
I was lucky in the fact that for 1 day only, the top 3 cars with Alamo became the cheapest for that day, so I booked! (£170 for a mustang convert with fuel+ add driver) for 1 week

Gonna be a pain checking everyday for the next 300 days to get a similar deal!

Froggitt

Mich81 wrote: »

Is it worth having a car in Vegas then?

I have been considering it, as I'm taking my mum who has Rheumatoid Arthritis. And it would be handy for trips to Walmart etc.

What are the parking charges like?

We always have a car.

No parking charges on the strip, save for valet parking at some of the top end hotels. Some parking charges downtown unless you get your ticket stamped at the casino.

Mich81

Thats good to know thanks.

Now I know what valet parking is, but how does it work? I assume you leave the car keys with the valet and have to tip them? I'm never sure what to tip in situations like that (restaurant bills are nice and easy to work out)

Froggitt

I tip a couple of dollars from memory. Some are mandatory valet eg Signature, some you can choose to selfpark or valet park.

pebblesmax

I've been told that you only need to tip on pick up, $2 to $5. If you want your car back quickly, then you can also tip at drop off, and make a request for the car to be kept close by. I never valet park unless absolutely necessary, so can't help with personal experience.

Also, some places have a sign where you pick up your car stating that you are in breach of their regs of you hand your keys to someone else at any point during the rental. Not sure how they would police that though.