Renting Cars in U.S.

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#1172632 11-Nov-2014 09:45

How common is it to not get the car you have ordered?

My wife and I may be going to California June/July next year, and want to order a convertible for a road trip from San Francisco->Las Vegas->Los Angeles. Using the traveljigsaw site, we are given the option of a Ford Mustang convertible at an acceptable rate but it states "or similar". Based on that last part, and comments in this thread, I'm a little concerned that we'll end up with something other than what we've requested. Are there steps to mitigate that risk?

networkn

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#1172634 11-Nov-2014 09:49

sbiddle: I use National Car in the US all the time and love their service. I have their executive status so get perks from that, but experience in recent years has been a good one.

You don't need to take out insurance over there if your travel insurance covers this, but need to be fully aware of exactly what your travel insurance does and does not cover. Many travel insurance policies will cover the excess up to a fixed amount (typically somewhere in the vicinity of $3000 or so) which is typically sufficient. US residents don't need insurance as their regular insurance covers rental cars, hence why it's typically hidden on US rental websites.

You just need to be fully aware of what your policy cover is, because there are policies out that such as some by AIG (including their ANZ credit card insurance) which effectively offers no coverage for rental cars despite claiming it does in the policy. They talk about paying any excess or deductible you may be liable for, but then below this have this as a condition -

As part of the hiring arrangement you must take up all comprehensive motor insurance or waivers offered by the rental organisation, whether discretionary or mandatory, against loss or damage to the rental vehicle during the rental period.

I've never come across any rental car company anywhere in the world that doesn't offer insurance, whether it's discretionary or mandatory, meaning unless you take out the insurance offered by the rental car company you won't be covered. With many (I'd probably go as far as saying most) car companies taking out their "comprehensive" cover, it'll reduce your excess down to $0 meaning should you need to claim there would be no need at all for your travel insurance as you won't have an excess to pay.

It's very important to read the fine print. In most cases, for your travel insurance to cover you, you MUST take ALL offered insurances by the rental company. Including all personal liability insurances as well. It's particularly important with credit card insurances. We had a friend denied coverage because they were offered 5 types of insurance and took 4 of them, had an accident and was denied coverage.

D.W

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#1172635 11-Nov-2014 09:49

They have tiers of car, if that particular car isn't available they'll offer something else in that tier, which will typically be a similar car/of similar luxury/features/performance. I had one instance where no car was available in the tier I had booked, so they gave me a car from the next tier up. You would be no more guaranteed booking direct with a rental agency than you would with traveljigsaw. TravelJigsaw is just a booking with the rental agency on your behalf.

dclegg

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#1172638 11-Nov-2014 09:51

D.W: They have tiers of car, if that particular car isn't available they'll offer something else in that tier, which will typically be a similar car/of similar luxury/features/performance. I had one instance where no car was available in the tier I had booked, so they gave me a car from the next tier up. You would be no more guaranteed booking direct with a rental agency than you would with traveljigsaw. TravelJigsaw is just a booking with the rental agency on your behalf.

Tx. It doesn't have to be a Mustang as such (although that would be nice), but we do have our hearts set on a convertible :-)

D.W

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#1172654 11-Nov-2014 10:03

Also worth noting, when you are picking up your car if the tier you booked isn't available, they may not tell you your car isn't available and try upsell you to the higher tier first, just decline any upsell attempts and they'll be left with no option but to give it to you anyway.

surfisup1000

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#1172658 11-Nov-2014 10:16

D.W: They have tiers of car, if that particular car isn't available they'll offer something else in that tier, which will typically be a similar car/of similar luxury/features/performance. I had one instance where no car was available in the tier I had booked, so they gave me a car from the next tier up. You would be no more guaranteed booking direct with a rental agency than you would with traveljigsaw. TravelJigsaw is just a booking with the rental agency on your behalf.

I've never received the car that was advertised (6 rentals or so).

The replacement vehicle in the same class/group has never been quite as good, and one time they downgraded me an entire class for the same price as the higher class and I had to complain after getting home for a refund.

sudo

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#1172670 11-Nov-2014 10:19

Ordering from the Alamo/UK site was about 45 bucks cheaper with that 10% voucher (about the same price without it)

How are they with NZ credit card/billing address?

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Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

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#1172729 11-Nov-2014 11:48

sudo: Ordering from the Alamo/UK site was about 45 bucks cheaper with that 10% voucher (about the same price without it)

How are they with NZ credit card/billing address?

I had absolutely no problems ( via the UK site that is). When I picked up the car at SFO the counter agent handed over the paperwork and was a bit curt (I suspect because it was prepaid and there was no chance for much of an upsell, which I believe they are commissioned on).
When we went to leave the garage I mentioned to the attendant at the final barrier that I hadn't checked for existing damage. She said there was no need because I had purchased the LDW. Similar on checking it back in at LAX 2.5 weeks later. The attendant recorded the mileage, saw that we had bought the LDW, the told us that we could be on our way at our convenience, please take all personal belongings. He didn't check for damage at all.
I kept any eye on the card for a couple of months afterwards for any rogue charges (I'm paranoid like that) but it was all good. The card did get charged immediately upon booking in GBP, but I had the right to cancel with no penalties until up to 7 days before the rental commenced.

FWIW, we paid NZ$55 (all inclusive) per day for a Mustang Convertible booked through alamo.co.uk. Best quote for same class car, same timeperiod on alamo.com was about NZ$90 a day if I recall.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

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#1172735 11-Nov-2014 11:57

dclegg: ...

Tx. It doesn't have to be a Mustang as such (although that would be nice), but we do have our hearts set on a convertible :-)

Where are you renting from, which airport? The large ones have such a big turnover that they come and go all the time.

At Alamo, SFO they didn't have any convertibles there when we arrived. The woman at the garage entrance was really helpful though, offered us a different class but we said we'd rather wait for a convertible. She spend a lot of time on the RT to the team down below who prepped the cars and about 20 minutes later this came up the ramp

It was a good trip.

ETA: Do keep in mind that these are not the most practical vehicle. The boot will not fit two suitcases and there is very little room for backseat passengers. If you're travelling with more than two people or have lots of luggage maybe a convertible is not the best option.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

dclegg

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#1172766 11-Nov-2014 12:14

floydbloke:

Where are you renting from, which airport? The large ones have such a big turnover that they come and go all the time.

The details of the trip are still being finalised (it'll be a 1 week holiday at the end of a 2 week work trip), but we'll probably be renting from San Francisco and dropping off at Los Angeles. Where our hotel probably will be in SF (near Union Square), there is a Dollar rental pick up office not far away, but if it makes more sense to pick up from SFO, thats something we'd consider. My primary concern is getting the best chance of securing our desired car, but without being shafted on price for doing so.

That car in your pic is EXACTLY the type of car we're shooting for. :-)

Thanks for the advice on luggage restrictions. We probably will have two suitcases (I'm travelling to the US before my wife comes over), but there will only be two passengers. If things are too tight, one can possibly end up on the back seat. But we'll bear that in mind before we book. Its something I hadn't really considered.

D.W

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#1172782 11-Nov-2014 12:41

Personally I would be very hesitant to pick up a car from downtown San Francisco unless you are experienced driving over there.

Much less stressful departing from the airport.

sudo

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#1172900 11-Nov-2014 15:15

D.W: Personally I would be very hesitant to pick up a car from downtown San Francisco unless you are experienced driving over there.

Much less stressful departing from the airport.

Yeah you get these maniac tourists who try to re-create Steve McQueen chase scenes in their rented Mustangs.

dclegg

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#1172904 11-Nov-2014 15:19

sudo:
Yeah you get these maniac tourists who try to re-create Steve McQueen chase scenes in their rented Mustangs.

You mean that's NOT what you're supposed to do when in SF? Damn! Better go to Plan B then.

KrazyKid

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#1172921 11-Nov-2014 15:51

My experience with claiming for rental car damage was in the UK about 12 years ago.

We had a travel insurance policy (forget with who) not CC insurance.

I had to pay the excess on the spot and claimed the monies back when I got home to NZ - no issues

allan

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#1172924 11-Nov-2014 15:59

Just a comment about a convertible in Vegas in July. It can get extremely hot there at that time of the year (45C+ for a couple of days when we were there in July this year) and frankly we ended up with the top up and grateful of the aircon.

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