<p>Taking S1 on a college tour across country. I’m NOT an experienced traveler. The rates I’m getting for Dollar Rent a Car are MUCH less than other companies. I’d love to book it, but the difference is so much less I’m concerned. We only need a basic compact car, no frills.</p>
<p>Any opinions/experience? </p>
<p>I’ve Googled review searches, and are seeing a mixed bag.</p>
<p>We rented from Dollar all the time because there’s a location near my house. We rented a minivan in August to drop my daughter off at college, and again in May to pick her up. I never had any trouble, and the cars are fairly new. I found the rates at Dollar to be comparable to Hertz or Avis, but maybe that’s because I’m in a big city and rates are higher generally.</p>
<p>I’ve used them too…they are fine.</p>
<p>We’ve used them many times when we fly to Philadelphia. I don’t really see much difference between the companies so I book with whoever has the best rate. For our next trip there in October we’re actually going with Budget because they had better rates this time. Now we’re going to Denver next month and I’ve booked with Fox who I’ve never heard of, hopefully they will be fine too.</p>
<p>They are one of the big 8…hertz, avis, national, budget, thrifty, enterprise, dollar, alamo available almost everywhere…I find that one or other has better rates, depending on where we’re going…the only one I haven’t tried yet is enterprise…Dollar is definitely reliable…no better or worse than any other out there I think. Only difference I have found is some will charge for spouse to drive and others won’t.</p>
<p>I have gotten my last 8 rental cars through Priceline. I have saved a fortune ( bid for rates as low as $12 a day plus tax) and all the cars have been from the major agencies and 6 of the times I got upgraded for free. You can’t cancel and you can’t be late returning the car, but otherwise it is the way to go. As we speak I have a Priceline Hertz new Chevy Cruze with satellite radio that I got at PHL airport for $13 a day.</p>
<p>How do you do that, MOWC? The cheapest car I can find is $34.</p>
<p>I use Hotwire instead of Priceline because I don’t like to bid on stuff that much, and Hotwire is usually 1/3 off regular price.</p>
<p>Dollar is OK (it is the low-price branch of Hertz). DH rents from them about twice a month. He says that as long as you do not rent a minivan in SFO, you’ll be absolutely fine.</p>
<p>I would book it and check back from time to time to see if a better rate becomes available. The great thing about booking rental cars through the actual company sites is that they don’t require a credit card to secure the reservation and there is no penalty for canceling a reservation. I always book when I first plan a trip and then check a couple of the companies a week or so before I go. It’s surprising how many times I’ve been able to re-book at a lower cost. </p>
<p>If you are a member of Costco, you can book Alamo, Avis, Budget and Enterprise at a discounted rate through their website. I often find the best rates at Alamo going through Costco. Additional drivers are also included free through Costco.</p>
<p>^^Good point - reserve now and keep looking for deals, then cancel if you find a better rate. Hertz does require a CC number to secure their “pay now” rates, but the others don’t.</p>
<p>I’ve used Dollar twice in AZ through carrentals.com with excellent results. Last rental at PHX though was through priceline and I ended up with National, also an excellent experience.</p>
<p>I ONLY rent from Dollar nowadays and always get the lowest prices from them online compared to Hertz, Budget, Avis, and the others. I will usually rent a Ford Focus and I like being able to pick the one I want! The other thing I like about Dollar is they never go over the car and examine the condition when I return it. They only get the mileage and look at the fuel guage. Rarely do I even show them my gas receipt. Just make sure you examine the body condition and circle any problems on the paperwork upon drive-off, just in case.</p>
<p>Thanks all. i booked for 2 separate cities. I may cancel 1 and use public transport instead. But for now, I can rest easy that all aspects of our college road trip are organized.</p>
<p>I have booked often with Dollar & they are often the best rate, especially sometimes their AAA specials or federal government leisure rates. I also ask my local AAA rep to see if she can match or beat whatever rate I got with Dollar with Hertz & if she does I go with her reservation & cancel Dollar.</p>
<p>Have been happy with Hertz, Dollar, Avis and Alamo. Not as happy with Enterprise, but know many who LOVE them.</p>
<p>We used to use Dollar all the time for personal car rental, but we had a bad experience with the DRC in Salt Lake City. They charged us for a dent in the car that we didn’t put in. </p>
<p>This “dent” was the kind you had to stand 10 feet away from the car and look at it in an oblique angle to see. Not one that you’d see when looking over a car for pre-existing dents (H travels a lot for business, so he’s an expert at this. We checked over the car first.) </p>
<p>We figure it was a scam. If you don’t catch the dent on inspection, you’ll be docked for a $60 repair. The car doesn’t get repaired–it’s just gets used as bait for the next sucker.</p>
<p>Ever since then, I’ve avoided Dollar like the plague and just rent with Hertz. Sure, it’s more expensive, but I don’t have to worry about someone trying to scam me.</p>
<p>Sorry you had this experience, Ellen. Have never had that so far, fortunately. In fact, the car rental agencies have been pretty cavalier about the damage we find and point out for the last bunch of rentals we’ve had. Have not been charged for damage by any of them–Dollar or Hertz. Alamo rate have generally been higher lately & haven’t rented with them in some time.</p>
<p>I know–in all the years we’ve been renting a car, we’ve never had this happen. In fact, H says that the bumper of the car would have to be gone before Hertz would say anything about it.</p>
<p>You do the bid option on price line. It’s very easy. I would have never messed with it but someone convinced me to try it. I will never rent a car any other way unless my plans could change. I have saved hundreds of dollars.</p>
<p>My only problem with Enterprise is, at least in my city, the offices aren’t open late, like past 7 p.m. or 8.</p>