Please Help! Rental Car Deal

[nutley5@aol.com]

I gave my husband a 4 day weekend trip in January to Myrtle Beach, SC to go golfing with his 3 buddies. I am looking to rent him a car but I don't have alot of extra cash. They need at least a full-size car.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[millervt]

I can get decent rates via my employer and also my insurance company, in case any sort of option like that applies to you. Check out any large organization you belong to, like AAA for discounts. Check with travel agencies (check often).

Ever done priceline? I know people who have had good luck with that, if all else fails.

Oh, I just noticed you are from north jersey. Problem solved...just hire a punk to steal a car for you. Might as well take advantage of the huge car insurance rates you pay.

[Jodiecon]

We have tried many different methods. Many times you can find online coupons for upgrades but the prices are still awfully high (incidentally, have you ever noticed that an economy car and compact car are only a few $ different? Same things as you keep going up.)

I used Priceline for my husband on a trip once and spent $150 for a full size for 5 or 6 days.

Hope that helps!

[Sirah3]

Priceline is very erratic. Budget has a special for $119 for a week for an economy (Ford Escort or Toyota Corolla, etc.)

Enterprise has great weekend rates, not so great weekday.

Try a search through Yahoo! travel. I've been able to beat their rates by a small amount most times, but they give you a good point of reference.

Lots of oddball deals through credit cards, group memberships,etc.

Budget has my vote, though. =)

[eaparham]

Please make sure that you have a credit (NOT Debit) card with at least the amount you plan to use for the car on it. And the person who is driving the car has to be the same one who pays..........I learned the hard way about renting cars this summer. It was a nightmare because we assumed so much. Make sure you read the agreement and ask questions before you sign anything. You may not need their "insurance"...I hate to be the voice of doom and gloom, but it just seems like rental car agencies can get you over a barrell really quick.

[glo1222]

This is the first time I have answered anyone, I hope this is what I am to do here.
Budget car rental (Internet only) has the BIG SUV FOR 249.00 Week or other premium for 39.00 a day. I find it best to book early from them and if I need to I can go back and cancel on line.

MSN.COM & AOL.com give you compared rates of several companies.

I also found may charge cards carry the renter's insurance if you rent with that card. Master card does, I am not sure about VISA.

[nutley5@aol.com]

NJ may be the car theft capital (partially due to the two adjacent states of PA & NY and the states large population), but it is not a welcomed comment. You sound like my Bro-in-law who relocated to VT from NJ 14 years ago. First week of living in Colchester, VT, not only was his wallet stolen, but his car as well. In addition, they ran up almost $2k in credit card charges. I'll take NJ and the metro area any day.

I have lived in this state all my life and never had a car, wallet or anything stolen from me.