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.
To enter a coupon code in your post please enter the following info:
Coupon Code:
Coupon Offer:
Merchant:
Expires (optional):
Restrictions (optional):
saving...
EXPIRED!!! now only offers $50 driving credit instead of free membership (1/12/2008)
The occasional driving deal is generally 9$/hour or $64/day, that includes gas and insurance. 35 cents/mile if you drive more than 180 miles in a given day. Unique cars cost more, 11$/hour say. Other packages are available. You return the car to the parking space you took it from. Other packages are available, i.e. ones where you commit to using it a certain amount each month, in exchange you get a discounts.
When applying for the membership: Don't change the city. What is key here is to get a free membership(and card) from the Boston site. Once you get the card, you can use it anywhere.
Message edited by: dwit on 2007-12-27 16:17:59 CST
Message edited by: bestisfree on 2008-01-12 22:07:23 CST
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
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).
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.
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Thanks OP - - and I'll let folks know if there are any problems.
