I'm going to Las Vegas with my girlfriend and parents (4 of us in total) November 10 to November 17th. Then, I'll be traveling to San Diego on November 17th or 18th. I have three requests.
1) I'd like to rent a car from Friday to Monday, which I can get for a weekend rate. The best deal I found was actually not on the FW Rental Matrix, it was on Hotwire, which is fine because I have no preferences. The price is $69.12 total ($13.95 a day plus taxation and surcharges).
Budget wanted $65.25, $99 after taxes and junk with (Y126500 - USAA Code). Alamo was $216... I'll remember them as being overpriced.
I'm staying downtown, but I don't see any downtown rental pickups.
2) My girlfriend wants to go to see the Grand Canyon. I'm considering a helicopter tour so we don't have to spend 10 vacation hours in the car, even though I'm sure it's beautiful. Any suggestions? Should I get the rental car for Thursday and drive? Bus Tour?
grandcanyonhelicoptersaz.com has tours from $235/pp.
3) After LV, I'm going to San Diego. The only vendor I found that does one way rentals is National. Their bench rate is $74 (101.81 after taxes and scams). Alamo, same owners, had the same rates. At least I can remember the Alamo.
I've tried two promo codes from FW, Rate Code: 5026639 or 3715761 and Coupon: NU1978FJH. However, both of these take away unlimited miles and charge me $.40 a mile, which is no savings at all.
I went on a Grand Canyon bus tour from Vegas, since the drive is like 5 hours each way to the South Rim, you don't get to see that much of the Grand Canyon. We were able to spend time at 2 of the look out points (probably 1-1.5 hour at each). I was able to book the bus trip for $84 + $12.80 for the IMAX movie (optional) + $10 tip (the driver/guide was actually very good) = $106.80. The helicopter tours are about double and I would do one if I wasn't budgeting.
Are just you and the GF going or are the parents coming too? The entrance fee for the Grand Canyon is $25/car (good for 7 days I believe). So if just you and the GF, then bus it or helicopter. If the parents are coming too, I would do the drive (take turns driving and be able to spend as much or as little time as you want at places).
blueoregon said: I'm going to Las Vegas with my girlfriend and parents (4 of us in total) November 10 to November 17th. Then, I'll be traveling to San Diego on November 17th or 18th. I have three requests.
1) I'd like to rent a car from Friday to Monday, which I can get for a weekend rate. The best deal I found was actually not on the FW Rental Matrix, it was on Hotwire, which is fine because I have no preferences. The price is $69.12 total ($13.95 a day plus taxation and surcharges).
Budget wanted $65.25, $99 after taxes and junk with (Y126500 - USAA Code). Alamo was $216... I'll remember them as being overpriced.
I'm staying downtown, but I don't see any downtown rental pickups.
2) My girlfriend wants to go to see the Grand Canyon. I'm considering a helicopter tour so we don't have to spend 10 vacation hours in the car, even though I'm sure it's beautiful. Any suggestions? Should I get the rental car for Thursday and drive? Bus Tour?
grandcanyonhelicoptersaz.com has tours from $235/pp.
3) After LV, I'm going to San Diego. The only vendor I found that does one way rentals is National. Their bench rate is $74 (101.81 after taxes and scams). Alamo, same owners, had the same rates. At least I can remember the Alamo.
I've tried two promo codes from FW, Rate Code: 5026639 or 3715761 and Coupon: NU1978FJH. However, both of these take away unlimited miles and charge me $.40 a mile, which is no savings at all.
1) Hotwire will most likely be for pickup at the Rental Car center, south of the airport. There are rental agencies Downtown, but you'll have to book them specifically.
2) Be careful with the heli tours from Las Vegas; most go to the "west rim" of the GC, which is not the National Park area that you think of when you think "Grand Canyon." That's on the South Rim, and you're right; it's close to 5 hrs each way driving from Las Vegas. While the canyon is stunning, most of what you'll see for the 10 hours you're driving to/from is not especially interesting.
blueoregon said: I'm going to Las Vegas with my girlfriend and parents (4 of us in total) November 10 to November 17th. Then, I'll be traveling to San Diego on November 17th or 18th. I have three requests.
1) I'd like to rent a car from Friday to Monday, which I can get for a weekend rate. The best deal I found was actually not on the FW Rental Matrix, it was on Hotwire, which is fine because I have no preferences. The price is $69.12 total ($13.95 a day plus taxation and surcharges).
Budget wanted $65.25, $99 after taxes and junk with (Y126500 - USAA Code). Alamo was $216... I'll remember them as being overpriced.
That has NOT been my experience. I am renting a car Saturday to Tuesday (which misses the weekend rates)and I was paying $95 with Alamo using the latest Southwest Airlines promotion. For an additional $6 for the rental, they allowed me to upgrade from economy to a midsized SUV. It is not generally what I would do. However, Alamo, unlike Budget, allows you to select the vehicle you want from the class you are renting which can be kind of fun and worth the extra $6. I really like to go out in the lot and pick the vehicle that I really want as opposed to settling what I am given by the other agencies.
BTW, watch out on the Y126500 USAA code. Some Budget stations are starting to look for IDs.
blueoregon said:
3) After LV, I'm going to San Diego. The only vendor I found that does one way rentals is National. Their bench rate is $74 (101.81 after taxes and scams). Alamo, same owners, had the same rates. At least I can remember the Alamo.
I've tried two promo codes from FW, Rate Code: 5026639 or 3715761 and Coupon: NU1978FJH. However, both of these take away unlimited miles and charge me $.40 a mile, which is no savings at all.
Nearly ALL rental agencies have OW rentals - Alamo, National, Hertz, Avis and Fox. You can find that on Orbitz. Alamo is generally the cheapest in that market. However, if you take the time to check EVERY car rental website, you'll find that there are some special deals that are posted occasionally. There are generally specials all the time between LAS-LAX, LAS-PHX, and LAS-SAN as agencies try to reposition their vehicles.
Thanks for your help everyone. I've gone with Avis for now. I might even try my luck with calling and seeing about picking up the car downtown. I know National had a downtown branch, but they wanted $40 more for the weekend rental.
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