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Why Pay More?

Rental cars are a big part of Space-A travel!

By Col Marv Feldman, USAF (ret) Carole Feldman

Marvfeldman@yahoo.com Jacksonville, FL

When we catch a flight to Europe from one base in the USA, we

often end up returning on a flight to another base!  If we are lucky,

we can catch a second hop to our originating base, but more often

than not, we have to rent a one-way car in order to pick up our

own car.

 

Recently, we tried to hop out of Norfolk but did not make the cut (we are not always 100% successful getting a Space-A flight), so we grabbed a one-way rental car, drove to McGuire AFB (New Jersey) and caught a hop from there.  And when we travel commercially, we frequently find it more economical to pick up a one-way rental car in our neighborhood and drop it off at Jacksonville Airport - this is cheaper than taking a taxi or paying the huge airport parking fees for several weeks.

Over the years, we have found that the most expensive way to rent a car is by walking up to the airport counter of the rental car company and asking for a vehicle.  These airport car rental agents have plenty of people waiting in line for their cars and seldom are willing to offer discounts.  At a few bases (such as Travis AFB and McGuire AFB), agents operate out of the Base Exchange, offer good military rates and allow customers to drop the key and car off right at the passenger terminal.  A pity this is not available at every base!

National call centers (1-800 toll free) of the car rental companies are eager to book cars, are open “24/7,” and are very willing to work with us for the best rates.  Of course, they try to sell more by asking if we want a full-size car, or one with a GPS, or one which includes a provision so that we can return the carwith/without a full tank of gas. I also decline the rental car company’s insurance because my credit card automatically provides coverage.  I firmly tell the agent, I WANT THE LOWEST COST CAR WE CAN ARRANGE WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE.

 

Don’t forget to ask for discounts!  When booking a car, be sure to ask for a special price.  There are discounts for membership in AAA, USAA, AARP, MOAA, COSTCO, etc.  Most agents are patient and will look up all of these to find out which one is the best price.  Each time I call, I have found that the best price changes from company to company and day to day!  I also check the internet but find that I can do best by dealing directly by telephone.

While this is not complete, here is a list of some of the companies I have used:

Alamo:  1-800-327-9633

Budget:  1-800-527-0700

Enterprise*: 1-800-736-8222

Avis**: 1-800-831-2847

Hertz: 1-800-654-3131

Thrifty***: 1-800-847-4389

 

*Mostly only for local rentals or on trips where I can return the car to the agent where I picked the car up.

**Within Florida, they do not charge drop off fees.

***This company gave me the best deal in Puerto Rico.

Happy traveling!

Marv & Carole