Vegas rental vehicle advantage play/s? Maybe...

Everyone is aware of the current  sky-high rental car costs in Vegas ( and elsewhere). For those visitors who routinely rent vehicles during Vegas trips and consider the need for one to be important for their own reasons ( eg casino hopping off-Strip, day trips, or if they simply appreciate the spontaneity / control aspect of having a rental car), consider a U-Haul / Penske pickup or small cargo van if your vanity can stand it. I just booked one for $122 for 5 days ( all-in costs), including LDW. If flying into Vegas, one has to consider the transportation cost from the airport to the rental location and the return at trips end. I obtained a quote of less than 30 bucks each way for a taxi to and from LAS . So, all-in we'll spend about $200 for a cargo van to roam Vegas in. That's a lot cheaper (50% or more in savings) than any quote from any online car rental aggregator including Autoslash ( a company we've had great discount success with in the recent past but not currently). Consider the clearance heights of UHaul / Penske pickups / cargo vans before pulling into some of the older parking garages in Vegas if that's anticipated during  trips..that could potentially wipe out any savings. I don't know how 'smooth' this cargo van rental will be ( availability, service, decent mechanical operation of the specific vehicle, etc.)..it's our initial toe-dip into this option. I'll pass on any post-trip info here, including all the potentially varied judgemental looks / comments we'll get at the Strip hotel valets. It's about saving bucks.

Turo, as the analogous airBnB for car rentals, is another consideration for lower car rental costs in Vegas. Just make certain that the insurance liability coverage situation is in order when renting from a Turo host. We may try Turo on the ensuing trip due to the considerable savings potential vs routine current car rentals. We're old school and generally technologically challenged..maybe we can figure out all that Turo appy stuff for future trips.

Cheers...

You'll get about five gallons to the mile, but it's not like you'll be driving all that much distance-wise. So I like this workaround. What about mileage? How much do you get before there's a surcharge?

The legality of the Turo stuff is dubious, and what would worry me is the possibility of getting pulled over and given a ticket (or being told to stop driving!) for not being able to show proof of insurance. I try to avoid cops who haven't gotten laid in two weeks, but they're kind of hard to identify.

If you get a look/comment from the valet about your van, tell them you need cargo space to carry home all the money you're gonna win.

@Kevin...There is an additive mileage charge (.69/ mile), but I doubt we'll exceed 50 miles for the entire hoorah including coupon runs, off-Strip improved gaming odds jaunts, misguided yet principle - based pursuit of better blackjack games with chewable minimums / conditions, and the like.

Maybe we can spontaneously rent a wheelbarrow if and when we obtain that windfall gaming win you referred to. There's another $50 worth of EV down the drain but..can't put a price on a good time. The average valet attendant in Vegas has seen it all, anyway. We'll continue to conceal the studded dog collars, cattle prods, peacock feathers, and zipties...for self-preservation concerns.

Try renting from Hertz at their Sahara location.  I found it to be 1/2 the price of the airport.  Uber was only $14 each way.

After multiple routine searches via multiple sources, the average prices for our dates are generally in the $400-$500 range for a 5 day rental( both on and off airport companies and locations). The $122 , 5 day quote via UHaul is by far the least expensive. If this option goes semi-smoothly upon arrival, it'll be an enjoyable rebellious act against the ridiculous regular pricing.

You really have to add up all the costs for renting a car.   There's the outrageous cost of the rental...but there's also gas...and you also have to consider most places charge for parking now.    

I really like to go off the beaten path to CHina Town, AZ Charlies, and some of the local eateries so having a rental car is nice.   But its hard to imagine Uber costing more than $100/day which is what rental cars are costing.    

Hopefully this is just part of the supply chain problem with China and not the new normal.

I'm an 18-hour drive from Vegas, but my last three trips, I drove anyway rather than flying (ecch) and then renting a car (ECCH). When I got there...I already had a car.

I don't see how the Vegas gouge model is sustainable. Someone flies in for the weekend, rents a car, stays at the Golden Commode for three nights--they're out well over a grand before they put a single dollar in a slot machine. You're going to have so few winners--and so many pounded-through-the-floor losers--that the experience won't be regarded as fun any more.

We enjoy doing Vegas with a rental car..it's routine for our trips. We use it to sojourn off-Strip for better gambling odds and to simply escape the Strip insanity for a few hours. Treks to enjoy different kinds of insanity Downtown and South Point, as examples.  Philosophically, it provides for elements of spontaneity and control regarding our casino hopping choices and timing.

My SO much prefers stays on Las Vegas Blvd and we have enjoyed ( and paid for) comps for rooms, free play, resort credit, and free parking at Strip properties. There's a few ways to play that comp game..but it's always a cost if we're honest about it even on rare winning gambling trips. Comp paybacks at MGM and Caesars have gone down the drain of late, too ( both actually suck now). In particular, we've completely dropped Caesars visits for the past two years since the merger..they've earned it. Sorry to swerve offtrack here  *l*..this is about rental cars, right? It is related to overall trip costs, though..for all of it.

These current costs for rental cars are generally ridiculous from our standpoint, despite the fact that car rental has always been a routine component of our trips. So, we looked for alternatives. I don't know the outcome of this van rental process yet..the savings might not be a 'good value' after all is said and done. Comparatively, we know it will be much less expensive ( pure costs, all in) vs other current standard car rental pricing. We'll see.

Charles, I think the rental car discussion is relevant for our gang because if you want to stay and/or play at the locals' casinos, you need a car. And almost always, the savings you realize from NOT staying/playing/eating at the Golden Commode or the Slipping Silver or the Putrid Pink Pleasure Palace (on the fabulous Las Vegas Strip!!!!) more than pay for the cost of the rental car--especially with room rates as high as they are.

As you mention, one of the few remaining reasons for staying on the Strip is earning and redeeming comps for future visits, but now that they're tightening THAT up, too, why even go there?

@Kevin...I've asked myself that same question over and over for years ( particularly within the past two years). MGM just recently disemboweled it's comp-earning program (end of Feb. 2022)..no matter how they try to dress it up, earning rates have dropped by about 70% without promos. There is an ongoing 2X promo for tier credit earning through August that alleviates the reduction a little bit, likely at least partially due to MGM 'average Joe gambler' outrage. Whether MGM extends the promo further is anybody's guess; regardless, even with the promo, earning rates have been disheveled..as have Boyd and Stations. MGM's comp offers for us during the early stages of the pandemic were quite good and lasted up until about the middle of last year..the fact is they were better than ever. They needed butts in seats at the time (supply and demand still mattered at the time). Those offers have changed, though..now that every Tom, Dick, and Harry are able to get out the house and visit Vegas. Who could blame em? Then add in the corporate recovery/ recoup mindset..here we are.

The bottom line from our standpoint for Strip stays is my wife likes it much better..no comparison for her. And if Momma ain't happy..etc. TI is the only Strip property that offers any semblance of a tolerable BJ game (rules and minimums) for me anymore ( and their dollar for dollar comp payback program outdoes the rest of em, too). I enjoy that part of the Strip stays. Everybody adapts for their trip priorities, I guess.