I was reading BostonNOW and they had a post about a free Zipcar Membership for anyone that texted this number (so I did that, and here's what I found):
1. Go to Link and sign up! (They wave the $25 Application Fee and the $50 Annual Fee; and hourly rates are just $9/hr ... which of course includes the car, gas, and insurance, not bad!)
If you're been looking to join Zipcar, now's the time.
I'm not sure it matters what city you sign up with.
HBSRA10
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:16p
What does it mean to be affiliated with Boston NOW? Is it better to be affiliated with MIT or Harvard?
TheFrugalGourmet
Happy Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:21p
I went through the process even though I don't live in Boston - - I live in New York. Why shouldn't I be able to sign up for the Boston plan? It went through okay for me... now I just have to wait through the approval process.
And I should be able to use the program in New York and Boston and anywhere else ZipCar is - - that would be the smart thing as a business.
So, unless the coupon said something having to do with Boston residence or Massachusetts residence, I think you can sign up with Boston ZipCar and use it nationwide.
If I'm wrong, big oops, but I don't see any fine print in regards to the link.
voland2000
Broke Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:31p
BostonNOW is newspaper circular here in Boston. The main difference regarding affiliation has to do with your hourly rate. Does affiliating with Harvard or MIT give you lower rates? I've only really seen that on business plans... I'm pretty sure they won't waive the application fee/annual fee.
My only question is, because it says that the affiliate city is Boston, will they expect you to pick up/drop off at the Boston location? I would guess not-worth a try.
voland2000
Broke Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:34p
I don't believe that to be the case. I've been a Zipcar member over a year now, and a huge advantage of the program is that you can pickup in any city that has Zipcars for no additional charge. Any other Zipcar members on here to confirm?
HBSRA10
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:45p
Rates appear to be the same, around $9/hr. So, at this point the only difference is when you renew your membership. University affiliation gets you a $25 annual fee (versus $75). I wonder if you sign up with BostonNow and then switch your affiliation later on?
The lady I spoke to said that if I affiliate myself with a university I get to reserve on-campus cars online but I should be able to do that regardless really, even if I am a NYC affiliate. Their customer service was not helpful. Any current members?
kurrraj
Ancient Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 4:56p
From what I came across as a Zipcar member they say you can pick-up a car in any of their locations - in other cities as well. So the affiliation doesn't really matter unless of course if you're getting a cheaper rate through such affiliation compared to others which I don't think is the case. However, the car needs to be returned to where it was picked-up. The hourly rates are resonable especially for folk under 25 who can avoid the under age fee with car rentals. All in all, I like the concept/service. However, beware of a $75 fine if you're late to return the car. I learnt it the hard way when I was late on a return by 10min.
Also if you live in Alexandria, VA, I believe the city will pay for 1 year of membership as well.
TheFrugalGourmet
Happy Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 5:03p
Just signed up, got approved, live in NY. We'll see if I get charged the app fee, as well as the yearly, but all looks good so far! Thanks OP - - and I'll let folks know if there are any problems.
This will come in handy for work and personal use!
I live in Bos and don't really need it here, but it would be good to have Zipcar for the times I travel esp. if it is free. Anyone knows if membership is renewed automatically after the first year?
ccval
Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 5:44p
"Can I park in a commercial zone during my reservation?
Nope. Even if your Zipcar happens to be carrying commercial plates (as they do in some cities) you'll still be a sweet target for those meter maids."
Does it mean you can't park the car on the street? I'm confused where you can park the car during the reservation.
tomcat
Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 5:56p
you can park a zipcar anywhere you would park your normal car during the reservation (but you have to return it to the designated zipcar spot when the reservation ends).
Zipcar is a great service, highly recommended!
ccval
Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 6:04p
tomcat said: you can park a zipcar anywhere you would park your normal car during the reservation (but you have to return it to the designated zipcar spot when the reservation ends).
Zipcar is a great service, highly recommended!
So I guess when they say Parking is included, it just mean that the parking when you pick up/drop of the car, not paying any parking fee during your reservation right? Thanks.
according to flexcar, the two have agree to merge. press release
eta1. flexcar pulls a hard credit report as part of the membership. see previous flexcar free membership thread for additional info. i'm not sure zipcar will do the same.
this is cool, i'll be visiting NY soon and this will be great!
voland2000
Broke Member
posted: Dec. 26, 2007 @ 10:21p
blackrose36 said: this is cool, i'll be visiting NY soon and this will be great!
Blackrose36, just be careful that you only have 180 miles/day included in your daily rate (otherwise you get charged per mile extra). But if you're just gonna be in the city, definitely awesome!
How is a $68 per day rental car with a 180 mile limit a good deal when most citis have 10-20 per day unlimited mileage rates available. Thre are codes that avoid the young driver rates.
russellt said: How is a $68 per day rental car with a 180 mile limit a good deal when most citis have 10-20 per day unlimited mileage rates available. Thre are codes that avoid the young driver rates.
You are missing the entire point behind the concept of Zipcar. Zipcar is NOT meant for people who will be renting for a day or days. It is for primarily for people who live in big cities and need a car to run an errand or short trip for a few hours. Also, it is very hard (if not impossible) to get a car rental ALL IN in major cities (like Boston, NYC, and DC) for "$10-20 per day unlimited mileage"
mukhee353
Member
posted: Dec. 27, 2007 @ 10:26a
Comes with insurance and gas pre-paid. No hassle. Pick it up. Drive where ever. Drop it back. Typical New York rental rate is over 50 bucks a day. Even on a daily rate, that's not bad at all. But it's really the short haul that this makes sense for. A few hours here or there.
HBSRA10 said: Rates appear to be the same, around $9/hr. So, at this point the only difference is when you renew your membership. University affiliation gets you a $25 annual fee (versus $75). I wonder if you sign up with BostonNow and then switch your affiliation later on?
The lady I spoke to said that if I affiliate myself with a university I get to reserve on-campus cars online but I should be able to do that regardless really, even if I am a NYC affiliate. Their customer service was not helpful. Any current members?
i just checked the NYC rates and they are $10/hr $69/day. so if you are in NYC the rates are better using this deal.
however, that makes me wonder why would anyone sign up with NYC as your base city, if you can just go looking through the rates of other cities to find the cheapest one? as zipcar members on this thread have stated, it doesn't matter what city you are in, the service is the same everywhere. anyone have any insights?
voland2000
Broke Member
posted: Dec. 27, 2007 @ 12:22p
r3tro said: HBSRA10 said: Rates appear to be the same, around $9/hr. So, at this point the only difference is when you renew your membership. University affiliation gets you a $25 annual fee (versus $75). I wonder if you sign up with BostonNow and then switch your affiliation later on?
The lady I spoke to said that if I affiliate myself with a university I get to reserve on-campus cars online but I should be able to do that regardless really, even if I am a NYC affiliate. Their customer service was not helpful. Any current members?
i just checked the NYC rates and they are $10/hr $69/day. so if you are in NYC the rates are better using this deal.
however, that makes me wonder why would anyone sign up with NYC as your base city, if you can just go looking through the rates of other cities to find the cheapest one? as zipcar members on this thread have stated, it doesn't matter what city you are in, the service is the same everywhere. anyone have any insights?
r3tro, as a present Zipcar member, let me answer your question. This discrepancy comes from the fact that different cities have different rates (i.e. when I get cars in Boston they're ~ $9/hr vs. when I go down to NYC they're ~ $10/hr). Signing up with this plan does not actually change your rates, so even if you sign up for this plan your NYC rates will still be $10/hr (the only way you can change your hourly rates is if you pay more monthly, get a business plan, etc)
However, this deal does wave the $25 application fee and the $50 annual fee for year one. Does this help?
r3tro
Member
posted: Dec. 27, 2007 @ 12:35p
voland2000 said: r3tro said: HBSRA10 said: Rates appear to be the same, around $9/hr. So, at this point the only difference is when you renew your membership. University affiliation gets you a $25 annual fee (versus $75). I wonder if you sign up with BostonNow and then switch your affiliation later on?
The lady I spoke to said that if I affiliate myself with a university I get to reserve on-campus cars online but I should be able to do that regardless really, even if I am a NYC affiliate. Their customer service was not helpful. Any current members?
i just checked the NYC rates and they are $10/hr $69/day. so if you are in NYC the rates are better using this deal.
however, that makes me wonder why would anyone sign up with NYC as your base city, if you can just go looking through the rates of other cities to find the cheapest one? as zipcar members on this thread have stated, it doesn't matter what city you are in, the service is the same everywhere. anyone have any insights?
r3tro, as a present Zipcar member, let me answer your question. This discrepancy comes from the fact that different cities have different rates (i.e. when I get cars in Boston they're ~ $9/hr vs. when I go down to NYC they're ~ $10/hr). Signing up with this plan does not actually change your rates, so even if you sign up for this plan your NYC rates will still be $10/hr (the only way you can change your hourly rates is if you pay more monthly, get a business plan, etc)
However, this deal does wave the $25 application fee and the $50 annual fee for year one. Does this help?
thank you, that clears things up. i'm in for 1 hopefully my application will go through.
i just received my approval. i'm in nyc. thanks so much!!
jchuby
Member
posted: Dec. 27, 2007 @ 12:41p
Long Island, NY .... approved within 12 hours!
ps im 22 years old - you only need to be 21+
shmoker
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 27, 2007 @ 12:49p
Just out of curiosity, what do people use Zipcars in NYC for? Does it work out to be cheaper than using a cab? gisele2828 said: i just received my approval. i'm in nyc. thanks so much!!
shmoker said: Just out of curiosity, what do people use Zipcars in NYC for? Does it work out to be cheaper than using a cab? gisele2828 said: i just received my approval. i'm in nyc. thanks so much!!
Yes, an hour in a cab will cost much more than $10. The subways are great, but there are times when a car is necessary.
A cab ride accross town is $10-15+. You can rent a ZipCar for $10/ hour... better convenience and privacy of use included. Of course if you'd rather not drive, then cabs are the way to go.
I know this deal is dead, and I alerted mods to move to expired deals.
After al this time, and even received member card, I checked my status and saw that the application had been denied. Did not call to check, but I suspect it was because I was applying from GA.
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