Car Rental Rates
We first started renting a car for the trip in 2009 and rental rates varied from $12.95 to $14.95 per day. In 2018, I got a car for $16.99 a day.
For 2019 and 2020, rates started at $40+ per day when I started looking in the Fall and I just cancelled and re-booked for the third time because it's down to $32 per day.
I'm using Dollar, but checking on Expedia has similar rates for all the other companies too.
What is a good rate these days? Should I keep checking back to see if things drop further?
--helpmespock
But you gotta prepay in full and it's nonrefundable. Beats all the majors, and minors, and the car you get comes from one of them anyway. You may find coupons online to get additional savings off Hotwire.
Our trips when we fly in are typically two plus weeks long, so the Hotwire savings really add up. Have used them only for car rentals.
Quote: helpmespock
For 2019 and 2020, rates started at $40+ per day when I started looking in the Fall and I just cancelled and re-booked for the third time because it's down to $32 per day
Something happened around May
last year, the rates of all the companies
went up and never came down. It's price
fixing at it's best.
Quote: DRichLook at a company called Autoslash. If you book through them they look everyday and will rebook your car at a lower rate if it exists.
I did try Autoslash and it really didn't save me any money. Also they want to e-mail you and then you follow a link back to their site to actually get the quote. They say they don't share your e-mail...
I've got a Dollar Express account to avoid the line so if it's the same money I'll just stick with Dollar.
--helpmespock
Quote: MDawgHOTWIRE.
But you gotta prepay in full and it's nonrefundable. Beats all the majors, and minors, and the car you get comes from one of them anyway. You may find coupons online to get additional savings off Hotwire.
Our trips when we fly in are typically two plus weeks long, so the Hotwire savings really add up. Have used them only for car rentals.
I didn't check Hotwire, but I'll have a look. Thanks!
--helpmespock
Quote: EvenBobSomething happened around May
last year, the rates of all the companies
went up and never came down. It's price
fixing at it's best.
It does feel like that. I wonder if the increased competition from things like Uber etc. have made people think that it's cheaper overall to go that way rather than take the time to rent a car. This has led Car Rental companies to jack up their prices in an attempt to get the same revenue from a smaller number of rentals.
I'll check Hotwire as mentioned above, but I'll also probably keep my eye out on Dollar to see if the price drops further. Fourth time is the charm?
--helpmespock
I did check into Hotwire and it looks like I could knock the price down from $32/day to $24/day, but all rental companies offering that price are the double shuttle ones.
I'm sure it's not a big deal for the 2nd shuttle, but I'll probably wait and see if Dollar's price drops further.
--helpmespock
The times we have used it, it has ended up being one of the majors, but it will always be a known rental agency not one you have never heard of before.
Wait, what!? You don't get limo service to everywhere you go?Quote: MDawgHOTWIRE.
But you gotta prepay in full and it's nonrefundable. Beats all the majors, and minors, and the car you get comes from one of them anyway. You may find coupons online to get additional savings off Hotwire.
Our trips when we fly in are typically two plus weeks long, so the Hotwire savings really add up. Have used them only for car rentals.
Even a shleppy little player like myself (compared to you) at one time was able to get limo service from/to the airport, to the mall or burger joint or anywhere I wanted. The casino would even pay for all my stuff at the mall and burger joint or anything I wanted from the gift shop, including gold jewelry and watches. Unfortunately I didn't ask for a Rolex.
Do you want to risk standing in line to start your vacation for hours? Some of the discount agencies are understaffed and you see long lines at many airports. How hard sold do you want to be bothered with? Like resort fees, many rentals push insurance and other options that will destroy your quoted rate.
Sixt, a discount agency with horrible reviews requires you purchase insurance, even if your own credit card and personal insurance cover it. Note that Sixt often comes up with Hotwire.
My suggestion is to sign up with Hertz or another companies loyalty program for free and skip the line and walk right to your car. If you find a comparable rate, the time savings are worth a few dollars to me.
This ^^^Quote: BozMy suggestion is to sign up with Hertz or another companies loyalty program for free and skip the line and walk right to your car. If you find a comparable rate, the time savings are worth a few dollars to me.
Also, I'm not sure with other agencies, but with Alamo, they let you check in online. They don't (that I know of) have a loyalty program that lets you skip the line, but if you do the online check-in, you get to skip the line -- and you don't have to sign up for anything. At least, that's how it worked when I rented from Alamo at McCarran a few years back.
One thing that might be a consideration with Hotwire or other 3rd party discounters: There are several credit cards out there that provide car rental insurance (usually free of charge), but most, if not all, only cover rentals made directly with the rental agency. So if you rent through Hotwire, you most likely won't get the benefit of any coverage your credit card may provide.
You know we're talking about (or at least I am talking about) rentals in places where we go for long periods, non-casino non-gaming trips, and yet you come up with an ill mannered response like that. And this is more of the reason why I'd have no interest in meeting you. Perhaps you're not so dislikable in person though, but I don't think I will ever find out.
Quote: MDawgCome on Axel, how long did it take you to think up that inane irrelevant response.
You know we're talking about (or at least I am talking about) rentals in places where we go for long periods, non-casino non-gaming trips, and yet you come up with an ill mannered response like that. And this is more of the reason why I'd have no interest in meeting you. Perhaps you're not so dislikable in person though, but I don't think I will ever find out.
Axel is one of the kindest people I am friends with, maybe you’re the common denominator here seeing as you seem to bring this type of thing out of people.
And you can cancel your car and rebook for a better rate as much as you want, though if they have an automatic lowest price revision I haven't seen it. You have to do the check yourself.
I even had a big score one very late flight recently, when the person sitting next to me had a direct reservation with the same company I got my priceline car, and they told him sorry, out of cars. He was ahead of me in line! But they had held my car, probably because of the 3rd party booking. I ended up giving him a ride to his hotel, if anybody's wondering.
So, anyway, Spock, I suggest you add Priceline to your group of car rental agency checks.
Babs, if you book through Priceline, do you still get to skip the lines if you are a loyalty member of the agency? Say, Piriceline gives you a Hertz rental, do you get the same Gold Club perks as when you book directly through Hertz?Quote: beachbumbabsI've been renting through Priceline recently. You can pick your provider quotes and avoid nightmares like Sixt and Fox, or you can let them be included. I'm hertz gold, emerald, couple other clubs, and check the rates, but priceline has beaten them (same agency) every time in the last year, a couple times by 50% or better.
And you can cancel your car and rebook for a better rate as much as you want, though if they have an automatic lowest price revision I haven't seen it. You have to do the check yourself.
I even had a big score one very late flight recently, when the person sitting next to me had a direct reservation with the same company I got my priceline car, and they told him sorry, out of cars. He was ahead of me in line! But they had held my car, probably because of the 3rd party booking. I ended up giving him a ride to his hotel, if anybody's wondering.
So, anyway, Spock, I suggest you add Priceline to your group of car rental agency checks.
I can usually get a car in Vegas for four nights at $80-90 total (that includes all taxes and fees). They only deal with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise so no double shuttle.
Budget usually ends up being cheapest and I’ve had no problems with them. And definitely join the loyalty clubs to skip the lines.
Of course not, you know damn well if that were to happen your gig here would be up.Quote: MDawgPerhaps you're not so dislikable in person though, but I don't think I will ever find out.
Thank you poker grinder for the kind words, but please, you can't go around ruining my reputation by saying stuff like that.Quote: PokerGrinderAxel is one of the kindest people I am friends with, maybe you’re the common denominator here seeing as you seem to bring this type of thing out of people.
Quote: JoemanBabs, if you book through Priceline, do you still get to skip the lines if you are a loyalty member of the agency? Say, Piriceline gives you a Hertz rental, do you get the same Gold Club perks as when you book directly through Hertz?
Sometimes. Priceline gives you a priceline reference number, and a order number that means something to the particular company. If you go into the reservation on the rental company website and look up the reservation using THEIR number, some of them allow you to add your club number after the fact.
This worked a couple times with Hertz, but not the last time I did it. It worked with emerald aisle once, and did not work with Avis didn't try with dollar or budget - don't know if they even have clubs. I did find out Budget is owned by Avis, though.
I don't know why the difference. Might have to do with what pool i was drawing from each time, because sometimes I booked with best (whatever) car from a number of companies, and other times they offered me a particular class car from a company I wanted to book.
Quote: AxelWolfOf course not, you know damn well if that were to happen your gig here would be up.
Mdawg, did he invite you to play cards at his house? If so, would be very wary as I surmise he would be using invisible ink on the cards or edge sorting to sucker unsuspecting visitors.... oh, I guess they just consider that being an advantage player. nevermind.
Quote: MDawgHOTWIRE.
But you gotta prepay in full and it's nonrefundable. Beats all the majors, and minors, and the car you get comes from one of them anyway. You may find coupons online to get additional savings off Hotwire.
Our trips when we fly in are typically two plus weeks long, so the Hotwire savings really add up. Have used them only for car rentals.
the wealthy people that I have had some association with don't look for deals on small ticket items - and very often not on big ticket items either - and they wouldn't be caught dead with a coupon
they don't even look at the price or care what it is
Why are some of you guys so desperately out of touch?
Quote: lilredroosterthe wealthy people that I have had some association with don't look for deals on small ticket items - and very often not on big ticket items either - and they wouldn't be caught dead with a coupon
they don't even look at the price or care what it is
Maybe the ostentatious rich don't, but there's a huge group of quiet rich that do, figuring it adds up over decades of thrift (and it does).
Might want to read a book called "The Millionaire Next Door", which is about just this.
Although...I prefer to use the word "frugal."
I read about Sean Connery how he used to say that until he had a million pounds in the bank he wouldn't stop being so cheap. Well, now he has many many times that but if you read all the stories about him he is as penny pinching as ever.
Quote: MDawgI'll just go ahead and admit. While I will spend ridiculous sums on SOME things, on many many things I am an out and out CHEAP BASTARD.
Although...I prefer to use the word "frugal."
I read about Sean Connery how he used to say that until he had a million pounds in the bank he wouldn't stop being so cheap. Well, now he has many many times that but if you read all the stories about him he is as penny pinching as ever.
That's a traditional Scottish thing, pinching each penny until it bleeds. My Scottish uncle lived the same way, died with several million in the bank, started as a shoe salesman. His widow lives very well at 90 because of it, though still thriftily.
Was always able to get decent rates .... cars seemed pretty well kept up. Put around 1200 mile on the one over 4 days due to side trips ... good deal for the $120 or so I paid .
Quote: beachbumbabsMaybe the ostentatious rich don't, but there's a huge group of quiet rich that do, figuring it adds up over decades of thrift (and it does).
Might want to read a book called "The Millionaire Next Door", which is about just this.
I know that book well and I don't consider that book to be about wealthy people
being a millionaire doesn't qualify a person as being wealthy anymore - not now
try $50 million or $100 million - think Silicon Valley
I don't believe those in that category, not many anyway, look for deals or coupons on rental cars
This, like all stereotypes, is wrong in the end, though it trends correct. Each person is different. The numerous (?) $50-100m wealthy people you know may or may not be typical.Quote: lilredroosterI know that book well and I don't consider that book to be about wealthy people
being a millionaire doesn't qualify a person as being wealthy anymore - not now or at the time it was written
try $50 million or $100 million - think Silicon Valley
I don't believe those in that category, not many anyway, look for deals or coupons on rental cars
Check out the movie “All the Money in the World.” Good flick and about the richest man in the world at the time. Pretty frugal.
In general, until you have it, meaning - money, you can't know, looking from the outside, what the "proper" behavior is as far as spending it (or not spending it). Which there is no "proper" behavior it depends on the individual, his background, his upbringing, his culture, how long his family has had money, etc.
The lifestyle a million dollars would have bought in 1969 would now cost about six and a half million.
If you aren't on pace to retire with close to a million dollars in assets, you are playing with fire, imho.
Quote: billryanOne of the major wealth management companies defines wealthy as having 2.5 million in assets.
they are using that definition for their own benefit. that is the point where they want to attract clients or flatter clients into coming or staying with them
clients with substantial assets are more profitable for them - that is the reason for the flattery
according to the link there are 1.3 million people worth between $5 and $25 million
and there are 156,000 households worth more than $25 million.
the link is from 2017 - the dollar amount and numbers of people would have to be substantially more now because of a booming stock market and economy
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/23/how-many-americans-are-millionaires.html
Quote: billryan
If you aren't on pace to retire with close to a million dollars in assets, you are playing with fire, imho.
God forbid a person ends up in a nursing home which after Medicare pays its share goes for around, I believe, $1,000 per day
the $ million will evaporate very quickly
there are stories about nursing homes evicting patients who can no longer pay and literally putting them in the street in a wheel chair
they sometimes pay $100 or so and take them to a cheap hotel to stay for a few days and nights
some of them have been caught doing this - not all
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/some-nursing-homes-are-illegally-evicting-elderly-disabled-residents-who-n1087341
SMH
Quote: billryanOne of the major wealth management companies defines wealthy as having 2.5 million in assets. That puts you in the top 2% of US households.
The lifestyle a million dollars would have bought in 1969 would now cost about six and a half million.
If you aren't on pace to retire with close to a million dollars in assets, you are playing with fire, imho.
How’s the FUNKO business going? Still got you wholesale when you need them.
Quote: happaheroHow’s the FUNKO business going? Still got you wholesale when you need them.
Business is good, but haven't found the Funko market down here. Brought 5 26 foot truckloads of stuff down here. Haven't even sorted three of them yet. Fortunately, I'm no longer playing rent on storage space.
Quote: MDawgI'll just go ahead and admit. While I will spend ridiculous sums on SOME things, on many many things I am an out and out CHEAP BASTARD.
Although...I prefer to use the word "frugal."
I am the same way. I recently booked my wife and my summer vacation. I probably spent 100 hours comparing flight prices and condo prices before booking. I probably saved $200 by doing that research. Some people would say I only saved $2 per hour of research so it wasn;t worth it. I disagree completely, I saved $200. Those 100 hours would have just been wasted anyway surfing the internet or watching TV.
Babs -- thanks I'll have a look a Priceline too.
Coilman put me on to using Dollar Express which is Dollar's rental club that lets you skip the line. And let me second all of you who said that being able to skip the line is worth it in a lot of cases. When we took the kids to Grand Canyon and did it through Las Vegas in 2009, we waited in the Thrifty line for an hour at 9PM Vegas time (midnight our time) only to get another 20 minutes of up-sell and waiting on a car to be selected. We got to the hotel and got to bed by 11PM which was 2AM our time. The entire family was extremely cranky by the end of it.
As far as money and being cheap, let me point you all to the best money article I've ever read: The Psychology of Money. My favourite passage is the one about Rihanna suing her financial advisor.
--helpmespock
Yeah, but you're not a multi-millionaire (or is that a FAUX MILLIONAIRE)Quote: PokerGrinderI’m the same way, I enjoy doing that kind of stuff and saving money even if it’s miniscule. I’m up 5k at the casino (all +EV stuff of course) this week but I was more excited when my flight to Brunei in March dropped from $141 to $121 lol.
I've used it 5 times and can honestly say I had no real problems with it, although I've heard and seen horror stories on YouTube. Even regular users describe it as Gypsy Car Service and complain about having to pick up the car at airports or taking photos of the car prior to pick up and uploading them to the Turo App.
PROS
1. Cheaper Rates than Big Car Chains and removing tacked on fees(save for Turo's service charge)
2. No Credit Card needed or Credit Check performed(Huge time saving hassle)
3. Vast vehicle selection and you know EXACTLY what car you are getting(Unlike big chains who give you a type and not an exact car make & model)
4. Easy check in and check out, can all be done on the App (Another huge time saver)
5. No mandatory insurance for basic cars or high pressure sales tactic to buy insurance(this is becoming a big scam in the industry)
6. High end Luxury cars available including Tesla, Maserati, Porsche, Lamborghini, etc. (These require large deposit holds, but if you are looking to impress someone, this will probably do the trick!)
CONS
1. Lower priced cars are in fair to poor condition because they are not required to be serviced or maintained.
2. Insurance claims on either side can be a hassle, if you go through the insurance provided they may or may not cover ALL the damage. If you go through your own insurance, you may still get the claim rejected and owe out of pocket.
3. Cars usually have exterior damage including dents, dings, scratches and cracks.
4. If the owner determines the car smells like smoke or is dirty, you will be charged a cleaning fee after the fact.
5. If you use the car's provided EZ-Pass, the owner will go through the Turo App for reimbursement, which will add 6 cents to the total amount as a service charge.
Quote: BedWetterBetter
2. No Credit Card needed
Big mistake. Always rent a car
thru an accredited agency
and your credit card insures
it up to $50K. Major cards,
that is. They cover damage
to the car and the rental
agency has to carry adequate
liability in all 50 states.
If you ever get bugged by
the car agency about buying
their insurance, tell them about the
CC coverage and their own
coverage and they'll shut up
immediately.
All 50 states require the owner
of vehicles to have liabiliity
insurance. Car rental fleets,
taxi fleets, cop car fleets, no
matter who owns it they must
by law have liability.
If you're staying at any of the major resorts and casinos located along the famous Las Vegas strip, you won't need a car to get around town. ... But if you're staying off the strip or want to explore anything beyond Las Vegas Blvd., having a rental car may be worth your while. - Jan 20, 2019
Where can I rent a car in Las Vegas?
Car Hire Companies
Alamo Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Avis Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Dollar Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Enterprise Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Hertz Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
National Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Sixt Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Thrifty Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Hertz temporary closures due to COVID-19
HtzLocClosure03302020.pdf https://images.hertz.com/pdfs/HtzLocClosure03302020.pdf
Quote: EvenBobBig mistake. Always rent a car
thru an accredited agency
and your credit card insures
it up to $50K. Major cards,
that is. They cover damage
to the car and the rental
agency has to carry adequate
liability in all 50 states.
If you ever get bugged by
the car agency about buying
their insurance, tell them about the
CC coverage and their own
coverage and they'll shut up
immediately.
All 50 states require the owner
of vehicles to have liabiliity
insurance. Car rental fleets,
taxi fleets, cop car fleets, no
matter who owns it they must
by law have liability.
While it is true nearly ALL Platinum credit cards carry Rental Car Coverage, it is also true that more than half of Americans do not qualify for those cards or have the ability to upgrade to it. They are also not made aware of it unless they read through their terms and service agreement.
Practically EVERY Rental Car company will insist you buy their liability insurance for around $20 per day giving you the assurance that you are not responsible for ANY damage. Some will factor it in to the rate without you even asking for it, and you will specifically have to tell them to remove it. Which they will still try to push it hard.
There was an Expose done by undercover reporters where Rental car agencies will claim the insurance is a MANDATORY fee and not allow customers to rent the car without it. I actually had this experience at a "non-franchise" Avis location, which said I can only rent a car at the discounted rate if I purchase the rental insurance for $25 per day. It was an unbelievable rate of $9.99 per day with 200 miles per day included and when I called the guy said we are a non-franchise location and can impose our own restrictions.
Just a note, Turo does offer full liability coverage for an additional $20-$30 per day, but there have been numerous disputes regarding claims filed through Turo.
Quote: ChumpChangeIs it a good idea to rent a car in Las Vegas?
If you're staying at any of the major resorts and casinos located along the famous Las Vegas strip, you won't need a car to get around town. ... But if you're staying off the strip or want to explore anything beyond Las Vegas Blvd., having a rental car may be worth your while. - Jan 20, 2019
Where can I rent a car in Las Vegas?
Car Hire Companies
Alamo Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Avis Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Dollar Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Enterprise Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Hertz Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
National Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Sixt Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Thrifty Car Hire. at Las Vegas Airport.
Hertz temporary closures due to COVID-19
HtzLocClosure03302020.pdf https://images.hertz.com/pdfs/HtzLocClosure03302020.pdf
I would think Ubers would be a better way to get around from the airport to the strip. You can essentially walk to any noteworthy place from there or just order another uber if it's too far.
In my area, it's around $11-$13 per trip for Uber, which is not bad considering they give loads of discount rates and coupon codes. There is also NJT buses which cost $1-3 per trip or $7 to NYC one way.
Is there a Public transportation system in Vegas?
