Car Hire in the USA - Fuel, Insurance

tingtong

As I've posted on the Las Vegas thread, we've just had a great deal on car hire with https://www.auto-europe.co.uk (actually got a Dollar car). May be worth gettng a quote.

mrposhman

when i hired in orlando last year I had a bit of a nightmare with the one I booked online (no deposit). Budget wanted to charge me for more insurances. I got an online deal with alamo for 2 weeks for half the price budget quoted.

As for filling up, I would check that the gold option actually includes the fuel as I would doubt they would refill for £5. Its cheap out there but not that cheap. The hire companies usually charge quite a bit more to refill your car than what it is in the gas stations, last year I was quoted a price about 30% more so I filled up myself.

Oh and one other pointer, if you are getting a smaller car they advertise an economy and compact car. They don't normally stock economy so they upgrade you to compact anyway. Don't pay more, just go to collect the car and when you can't find the economy they will point you towards the compact. Enjoy

Megalomaniac

I booked the car hire this morning. I went for the Gold option which as avis customer service said includes one free tank of fuel. It does sound too good to be true I have to say. £25 for the car for a day and a tank of fuel, how can they be making a profit compared to just the car for £22. I have a copy of the reciept of the booking at home on my laptop (the confirmation email never arrived which is odd). I'll post the details of this up later. Here it breaks down the costs of the gold option which is all considered 'included' on the alamo page where you neter your payment details, but the receipt has prices next to the various items.

Still they have a total charge of £25 on the receipt, but I fear when I arrive they'll charge me for these costed items. I think I'll get on to alamo again.

Anyway I'll post the details up later! Thanks for everyones help. BTW, I got an economy car (don't need anything else) but a compact may be better. As long as it fits our luggage in it'll be fine. Oh, and my gf is 23 so have problems with the young drivers charge (I'm 25).

I got away with this in Hawaii when we were there by going with thrifty and a hawaiian car rental broker who offered free extra drivers and no extra charge for 21-25's (I was 24 then).

debs66_2

hi

an economy car for 2 of you for 1 day should be fine.

re the price, you are considerng it as a price in £s. £25 is actually just short of $50. as costs are relative to the country, $50 to an American is pretty much the same us £50 to us. You are paying what is ultimately half price because of the exchange rate and the weak dollar.

why do you think we are all going over there :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

enjoy it and don't worry. just make sure you don't fall into the trap of any upgrades when you take delivery of the car. you have what you need with every insurance etc included. your travel insurance will cover any injuries (god forbid).

wanye

are there any mileage restrictions on hire cars?

im planning on getting a hire car in oct from sanford for 2 weeks, and plan on doing a road trip to atlanta in it (1500 mile round trip)

Megalomaniac

wanye wrote: »

are there any mileage restrictions on hire cars?

im planning on getting a hire car in oct from sanford for 2 weeks, and plan on doing a road trip to atlanta in it (1500 mile round trip)

Not normally. Just check terms and conditions but nowadays there isn't any limits.

Megalomaniac

This is what it says when booking the car:

Economy Chevrolet Aveo or similar
£25.14Economy 4-Door/Automatic/Air 2 2 2
Collision Damage Waiver Full Included
Extended Protection Included
Refueling Service Charge Included
Florida Surcharge 2.00 Per Day Included
Tire/battery Fee .02 Per Day Included
License Recoupment Fee .46 Per Day Included
Sales Tax Included
3 Additional Drivers Included
1 Tank Of Fuel Included

On the receipt it says this:

Rate information Price
Collision Damage Waiver Full £6.00
Extended Protection £12.95
Refueling Service Charge £25.00
Florida Surcharge 2.00 Per Day £2.00
Tire/battery Fee .02 Per Day £0.02
License Recoupment Fee .46 Per Day £0.46
Sales Tax £0.32
3 Additional Drivers Included
1 Tank Of Fuel Included

Total Payment Received: £25.14

Will ring them up soon to clarify. I think I have paid for all that in my £25.14 but they have broken each item down by price. Seems like a bargain price to me, for a car, insurance and a whole tank of fuel for one day (I also have £7 tracked in quidco) bringing it down to £18.14!

photome

Megalomaniac wrote: »

This is what it says when booking the car:

Economy Chevrolet Aveo or similar
£25.14Economy 4-Door/Automatic/Air 2 2 2
Collision Damage Waiver Full Included
Extended Protection Included
Refueling Service Charge Included
Florida Surcharge 2.00 Per Day Included
Tire/battery Fee .02 Per Day Included
License Recoupment Fee .46 Per Day Included
Sales Tax Included
3 Additional Drivers Included
1 Tank Of Fuel Included

On the receipt it says this:

Rate information Price
Collision Damage Waiver Full £6.00
Extended Protection £12.95
Refueling Service Charge £25.00
Florida Surcharge 2.00 Per Day £2.00
Tire/battery Fee .02 Per Day £0.02
License Recoupment Fee .46 Per Day £0.46
Sales Tax £0.32
3 Additional Drivers Included
1 Tank Of Fuel Included

Total Payment Received: £25.14

Will ring them up soon to clarify. I think I have paid for all that in my £25.14 but they have broken each item down by price. Seems like a bargain price to me, for a car, insurance and a whole tank of fuel for one day (I also have £7 tracked in quidco) bringing it down to £18.14!

Dont keep worrying, I always hire a luxury car, chrysler 300 or a 4x4 or something similar, I normally have it for 14 days and pay around £270 all inclusive of fuel insurances etc etc, that works out at less than £20 a day for a much biggercar all be it over a longer period.

photome

wanye wrote: »

are there any mileage restrictions on hire cars?

im planning on getting a hire car in oct from sanford for 2 weeks, and plan on doing a road trip to atlanta in it (1500 mile round trip)

No mileage but there could well be a one way drop hire, if indeed you are only going one way, because you are going to be dropping in a different state

Megalomaniac

I have just given them a ring (they're freephone number is 0800 263263) and they told me as there isn't an amount to pay locally on the receipt, it is all paid for. They also said, if the Yanks try to sell me extra insurance, don't worry about it as I am covered as I have taken to gold package.

He also said I can return the car empty and not have to pay a penny. That is what I would call, a bargain! Thanks for everyone's help, just hope this thread comes in handy for someone else!