Budget: 20% off and Quadruple Bonus Miles

Posted October 2, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Car Rentals

Budget rewards SkyMiles® Members with up to 20% off and Quadruple bonus miles!

For a limited time, SkyMiles Members can save up to 20% off and earn quadruple bonus miles on rentals of three consecutive days or more. This offer is valid on all car groups at any participating Budget airport locations in the U.S. through December 15, 2007.

The coupon code is MUAZ0093 and be sure to provide your SkyMiles number at time of check-in.

This offers requires a 24-hour advanced reservation. Choose from a large selection of cars, at the most convenient airport locations and enjoy great value and service from Budget.

Technorati Tags: Budget, SkyMiles®, car rental

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Save Time And Money on Car Rentals

Posted January 14, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Car Rentals, Travel Deals

Your vacation is almost over, you are rested and relaxed until you return the rental car and the bill is placed in front of you. There must be a mistake, it’s alot more than you had budgeted. Your credit card is melting in your hand.

How does this happen… When renting make sure you get the total price that includes all taxes and fees. These fees are not included in the daily rate and can add over 50 percent to your bill.

If possible, avoid renting at the airport. Renting at your hotel or other downtown location can save you money. Of course you have to factor in transportation to and from the airport. Here is an example. I went to Travelocity to book a standard car for three days choosing to pick it up at SFO airport.

3 days at $58.75 … $176.26
Transportation fee … $17.45
Airport fee … $17.63
Sales tax … 16.00
Total … $231.75

The same vehicle rented from the same company at a downtown location was

3 days at $43.04 … $129.12
Sales Tax … $10.97
Total … $140.09

A saving of $91.66. A shuttle from the airport to downtown is $15.00. Some hotels have complimentary shuttles for guests.

Going directly to the rental car site the the savings were greater, cost for the airport rental was $199.00 and downtown $113.18.

Here are some time and money-saving tips:

Book early - there may not be vehicles available and if supply runs short the price goes up
In business markets avoid Wednesday, it is a peak day for rentals
When booking with an agent inquire about special promotions
Online bookings look for web deals
Get the final price with all taxes and fees included
Get a confirmation number and have it at checkin
Avoid late fees these can be as high as 50 percent of the daily fee, there is usualy a 59 minute grace period
Weekend rates end at 2pm Sunday so a late pickup will encure weekday rates
If you are returning the vehicle to a different location check the charges
Be aware of seasonal rate changes for example, SUV’s are expensive in ski country while converibles command higher prices in sunny climates
Gas up before returning the vehicle
Check with your insurace company as to coverage
Your credit card may provide insurance coverage, be aware conditions apply get a copy of the insurance agreement from your credit card company
When travelling in Europe you will have to get insurance
Join frequent renters club ( Budget, FastBreak,Avis Preferred, National Emerald Club, Hertz #1 Club Gold, etc.) as club members receive top priority.

Doing a little leg work can save you lots of time and money.

Technorati Tags: rental car, Travelocity, Avis, National, Hertz

Try Harder Avis

Posted October 17, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Car Rentals, Rants

SUV For our recent trip to San Fransisco we booked a rental vehicle online through Avis and specified that we wanted an SUV. We arranged to pick the vehicle up at the Fishermans Wharf Avis location, just a short walk from the Sheraton, where we were staying.

When we arrived at the AVIS depot, there was only one person behind the counter and the lineup was building. When we were finally served, we were told that an SUV was not available and were offered a mini van instead.

Ros insisted… Read more

Technorati Tags: San Fransisco, Fishermans Wharf, SUV