advantage car rental

Just wondering if anyone has had problems with advantage? Their rates are lower than some of the other companies. Thanks for your help!

Only problem is that the lines can be a bit long due to the typically lower rates than the major players.

If I remember correctly, they're the low cost sister company to Hertz.

They also try to upgrade you and sell you insurance but if you simply stand your ground and dispense with the small talk, they'll quickly know that they're not going to shuck and jive you and you'll be on your way.

Dan

Even the big boys try to push that extra insurance on you. I rented from Dollar 2 weeks ago. The clerk asked me if I just wanted to just stick with the basic insurance. I said yes. When it came to sign my agreement the rate had doubled. I asked what happened. The clerk said he added in the basic liability insurance as per my instructions. I said, no, no, no. The clerk took it off and returned back to my regular rate without any extra insurance.

You expect the insurance hard sell when you go to these smaller agencies but it pisses me off when the big ones do it. In particular, when I have a hoobie doobie card from them and they have my profile that I took time to complete online, I don't want to change anything.....

No insurance
No GPS
I'll bring it back full
No insurance
Compact car
TYVM

Snidley, I've had that game before as well. Before they even start, I give them the line from above. Just give me what I contracted for and have a confirmation that supports it and I'll be on my way.

Another thing to watch out for almost tripped me up the other day. Rented at Midway in Chicago. Great deal from Alamo....$106 for the week, all in. Went from the suburbs to downtown Friday afternoon. Hotel wants $49/day to valet park. We have no need for the car....was just using it as a means to get back to Midway on Monday. I can get a taxi for $30. So, off to Midway to dump the car and take the CTA back into town. Drop car, grab receipt and tuck it in my pocket. Barb wisely suggests I check the receipt. It's now showing $240 or so. WTF? Ask the lot attendant and he says it's because it's a minimum of five day rental but without prompting says let me see what I can do. Said likely the best was to get back to the $106 rate which I was good with. In the end, he over-corrected and I was left with a $76 tab for the four days all in.

While I'm not big on their car options; especially the compact range since nothing is automatic (i.e. windows, door locks, cruise, etc.) in many of their locations, I do like that with Alamo you can usually get your contract from a kiosk rather than deal with a counterperson. This is particularly true in Vegas where lines can run long. It's a quick 3-4 minute experience at the kiosk and you're on your way to the lot. You can also coerce the attendants there for an upgrade; in many cases it's comped anyway since they don't have cars in the class you booked available.

Dan

I have never been turned down for an upgrade while offering the yard guy a gratuity. NEVER.

I've used Advantage several times. Each was problem free, and I honestly don't remember what the lines were like,so they must not have been too bad. I generally arrive mid-afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday so I miss the prime rush hours.

I use Advantage most often in Vegas. No problems or any difference than any other car rental company.

Are they a + EV play???