Cheap Rates - You might get what you pay for, or a minivan instead.
Written: Mar 12, 2008 (Updated Mar 12, 2008)
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Being a bit on the cheap side, I gravitate towards two main agencies when renting vehicles, Thrifty and Dollar. I have found that Thrifty is typically the cheapest, but Dollar is usually within about $5 for a one week rental.
The Thrifty website is very easy to navigate. You simply enter the dates, the location (either airport code or city name) and select the level of vehicle. One of the newer features offered by Thrifty is the Wild Car. This selection offers you a guarantee of at least a mid-size car for about the price of an economy car. The only catch is that they can give you any car on the lot provided it is mid-sized or larger. I have used this option twice and received a 4 door PT cruiser, which I would not consider quite mid-sized, and a Jeep Liberty. It really is a great option if you only goal is to avoid a Geo Metro.
But my guess is that service is a key factor for many people. It does not have to be exceptional, but you’d prefer to avoid bad service. So here is the story of my most recent experience with Thrifty.
On my most recent visit to Orlando, I planned on a lot of driving to visit relatives as far away as Ft. Lauderdale (about 250 miles) and opted to spring for a convertible. We arrived at the Thrifty airport reservation desk at about 11:30 pm. I was informed by Linda, the customer service clerk, that they did not have any convertibles available. In fact, they did not have any sedans at all and would be assigning me a mini-van. I assured Linda that I had no interest in a mini-van, but understood that if they had no other cars, what option did she have? I simply inquired about the discount I would receive for accepting this proposal.
Linda replied that a mini-van is actually more expensive than a convertible and she was doing me a favor by not charging me more than my agreed upon rate. After all, a mini-van has much more space. I stood there with my wife and our 2 bags and asked Linda if it looked like we really needed that much space. After several minutes of discussion and no progress with Linda, I accepted her offer and let her know that I understood I had a great rate already, a travel agent rate, and that I would make sure to refer all of my customers to Thrifty in the future due to their great service. Obviously my statement was dripping with sarcasm, and while I did have a travel agent rate, I work as a business analyst in the corporate headquarters. But even idle threats can generate action. Linda proceeded to the back room and returned with the keys to a Chrysler 300. It seems her manager had authorized an upgrade to a Luxury car, but still not a convertible. I must mention that there were several convertibles in the lot upon our exit
By this time, it is past midnight and all we want to do is get to the hotel. My small victory quickly vanishes as I hit the highway and experience a constant shake in the front end.
The next morning I call the customer service line and again am told that there are no convertibles available. With 4 hours of driving ahead, I decide to return the car anyway and get one without the front end shimmy. You guessed it, I pull in to the return area and park right next to a brand new (945 miles) electric blue Sebring convertible, which became my car for the rest of the week.
My wife and I are preparing for another trip to Vegas in April, and I made sure to book my car with Dollar for the extra $5.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Car Rental
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About the Author
Location: Pelham, NH
Reviews written: 52
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me: Bargain hunter on most items, spender on audio/video equipment
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