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How To Rent Cars Like A Pro

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Mekkon
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
Pretty bad write up actually... It's just a list of things to make sure the rental agent/company gets the best deal out there. For instance #2. In my experience it's best to make an online reservation and show up unannounced. The online reservation guarantees you that specific vehicle type, and if they can't find you one they generally but you in the next best thing on their lot - often, it is MUCH better.

A couple months ago I reserved an Aveo class, and got a Charger at no extra cost, because there were nothing else smaller available. If I'd called, they would have told me nothing was available, and upsold the Charger to me at 3X the price.
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IN THE FACE!
06/03/09

@Mekkon: True-Dat...

"Sorry dude, I already paid for a micro-machine, it's not my fault all you have left is a ZHZ."
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MushyHeirloom
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
Oh, the last (and arguably most important):

Specify that if at all possible, you will NOT take a Chrysler/Dodge product.

Well, it's not a bad choice for a rental minivan (God forbid). And yes, LX > W. But outside of that...
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not_a_virus.exe.vbs
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
Guys I need he;lp. I need to get a secured credit card because I never had credit for anything, used cash only. What I want to know is with a secured credit card, how much credit would I need on my card to be able to rent a car (not a Corvette)? I wanted to put down $250 but I am not sure if that is enough. I am 33, never been in an accident.
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Maymar
06/03/09

@Life Is Eat And Die: I worked at a dealership with its own rental fleet, and $250Cdn was the standard hold, although you're best off contacting the rental company beforehand to confirm.
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.357
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
As long as I don't get a Sebring, I'm usually happy.
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BraappBraapp is losing faith in the commentariat
06/03/09

@.357-Wingman of Syrax: I always get the sebring in Baltimore. Always. Decent Engine, plastic out of my nephews Playskool house.
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.357
06/03/09

@BraappBraapp: It's Got Electrolytes: Suspension by Play Doh.
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1dollar93
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
My dad once told me that the old Dodge Omni rental cars were nearly indestructible on mountainous dirt roads. Anybody have experience with such a thing?
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Mobius
06/03/09

@1dollar93: Duh, of course it's indestructible and very, very fast! It's a rental! :)
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Darrell Jamaal Cole
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
you mean... like a boss!
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leavethegun-takethecannoli
06/03/09

@Darrell Jamaal Cole: - Like a boss. +1
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Boosted Lego Wagon
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
Step 1: Take the extra insurance.

Step 2: Beat the hell out of that Ford Escort.
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MushyHeirloom
06/03/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: Yeah, that was the unstated rule.
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leavethegun-takethecannoli
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
I've reserved specific vehicles many times in advance- oftentimes with a lead of more than one week, only to show up and the car isn't available.

Tips my ass- do your job, I shouldn't have to keep calling to find out if the rental agency has done their job. I should get a paycheck from them if I have to do that.

Also- if I cancel- or do a no-show, I'm not calling. You don't call me when my specific choice isn't there- it's always "this should suit you just fine."
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engineerd
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
I travel quite a bit for work. Surprisingly, I have found renting a car to be one of the easiest parts of travel. I've shown up to hotels which don't have a room for me (even though I've had a reservation for weeks) and flying is always a pain (even when I get bumped to 1st class).

Then I found out I get free Hertz Gold Club through work. If you can get it, it's great. I've been bumped up 2 classes before when they didn't have the car class I reserved.

That's the other thing. When you reserve a car, you aren't reserving a specific make/model. You're reserving a class of car (small, midsize, "green", etc.). They can give you any car in that class, an equal class, or a higher class depending on availability. I rent midsize and was given a POS Corolla once because it is in their "green collection" and was the same price. I suffered a few days then took it back for a G6.
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FTGDWolverineEdition'09
06/03/09

@engineerd: "flying is always a pain (even when I get bumped to 1st class)."

Stop acting like a spoiled lil' brat! I fly across the pond to this city (Yes, London. You know- fish, chips, cup o' tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins...London!)every other week in ECONOMY! stop complaining!
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engineerd
06/03/09

@Formerlythegreatestdriver: I never got bumped to first class on trans-atlantic or even trans-continental flights. Usually, it's the 2 hour flight to Virginia I get 1st class on.

Sorry to come off as a spoiled brat, I didn't mean it like that.

@Pete Gaines: Hell yeah. There is no way I'm paying for it, but having it free from work is great. Walk out to the lot, look up my name on the board and get in the car and go. It's especially great when you've been stuck on a plane with crying babies for 4 hours.
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MushyHeirloom
06/03/09

@Formerlythegreatestdriver: It's not the Boston-to-London leg I'm worried about when I head off for a couple weeks next month. It's London up to Edinburgh. I can just picture this freakin' Rover-V8-powered prop plane ferchrissake.
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SirNotAppearing
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
Regarding #7: The Home Depot truck is $20 for an hour. One time I loaded 30 bags of mulch into a Saturn SL to hilarious effect. Since then I've rented their truck.
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Boosted Lego Wagon
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
On the next Consumerist, How To Rent Pros Like a Pro.
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Syrax
06/03/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: That's Fleshbot.
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SirNotAppearing
06/03/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: Simple. Slow down to about five mph, and call out "Are you looking for a short-term relationship?"
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A strolling player
06/03/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: How To Write Prose Like Pros?
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Mobius
06/03/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: And on Bloodcopy: How to Troll like a troll, except, it's not like a troll, but rather like a vampire. But if you really wanna learn how to troll like a troll, read .357.
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.357
06/03/09

@Replying as a troll: Are you telepathic? I was just going to type that.
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.357
06/03/09

@Mobius_1: I offer classes. Daytime only. We eat Italian food, and you get a silver graduation ring.
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CarGuyDad
06/03/09

In reply to How To Rent Cars Like A Pro
In Boston, you can't rent the ZHZ unless you have flown into BOS and are flying out of it. They're affraid of Hot Rod Joe swaping engines on them.
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A strolling player
06/03/09

@AcaciaBogdan: So drive to Providence and fly back to Boston. Problem solved.
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