RENTAL CAR FRUSTRATION

JUST NEEDED TO VENT, USUALLY HAVE A RENTAL CAR BY NOW AT MY PRICE WHICH IS AROUND 130. FOR A COMPACT CAR BUT 160 IS THE CLOSET I CAN COME TO IT AND THE TRIP IS ONLY 19 DAYS AWAY. THANKS, NOT SURE I FEEL I WHOLE LOT BETTER BUT MAYBE A LITTLE.

Rates do appear a bit higher this year than in past years. Last April, we had a rate from Dollar for a compact for a week that was $146 including all taxes and fees. I have yet to find anything for less than $200 for the same time period this year. Some coupons expire at the end of Feb or Mar so I know I can get it down with a coupon to be available later, but I don't anticipate getting it down below $150 this year.

"Experts" are predicting higher gas prices this year (I heard one source say $4+/gallon) so I wonder if that will cause car rental rates to go up or down. Any ideas?

This is what strikes me as funny---the mileage on the cars are much higher the past year and yet the prices keep going up. We had a car in September that had close to 37,000 miles on it. In Oct I chekced back on the bill and it had 21,000 and January we had one close to 12,000. Alamo seems to run coupons for dollars off and if you decide to go there just sign up for Insider Deals prior and look at the coupon. Never cared too much for Alamo but last year 4 out of the 6 times we rented off them. Experienced no problems and was satisfied with the car. The other two times it was Budget through Hotwire (no problems as well).

With car rental taxes over 30% it is very hard to get a cheap rental

I do not understand why you do not have a reservation. I always start booking the best deal I can find as soon as I know when I am going. A rental car reservation is a one sided contract. There is no downside to having reservations "just in case".

As close as you are, you might want to try Priceline.

BTW Would you take the other side of that deal? ie let some stranger use or abuse your car for $160?

I just don't think the rental car cost should be more than my five day hotel costs, and it's about the same!

Mine for 3-8 was fairly high when I booked it probably 2 1/2 months early at $177 for 4 days. This was a compact. I kept checking and finally victory. I now have it for $105. Both were with fees.

So sometimes you have to keep trying.

Terry

Lately we have found our best deals from Dollar are when we pick up at the airport and drop off on the strip.
We have started doing this anyway as we don't want to take the extra time to return the car when we are flying out. By returning the car the night before we check out we save more than the taxi fare. What is interesting though is that even if we want to return the car on the strip the same day that we are flying out, it is still cheaper than returning it to the airport. Used to be that a one-way rental was more expensive.

Tonyrob

Lately I haven't been able to find any good rates. They've all been high. Luckily I locked in a full size for a 3 day rental for $64 total with Alamo several months ago. Still not as good as the $50 I had for the same size/time a few months prior but much better then the $150 plus it would be right now. Book early, keep checking rates and modify as needed.

My rate for my trip in a few days is the worst prices I've ever had for a rental car in Las Vegas - EVER. And I go 4 times per year. Priceline name your own price recommended $34 per day for a compact! I've been checking rates daily for about two months!