Tampa car rental

Can anyone recommend a decent cheap (ish) car rental place in Tampa,
preferably near the airport.

Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Can anyone recommend a decent cheap (ish) car rental place in Tampa,
preferably near the airport.

I wouldn't book from an el cheapo outfit--they are too likely to force you
to take hidden coverages, or hassle you over a scratch on the car--and then
also charge you big bucks for days that the car is in the shop! The major
companies (Thrifty, Budget, National, Hertz, Avis, Alamo) often overlook
trivial things, and are worth the dollar or two a day that they apparently
cost more.

Searching for the car rental at www.orbitz.com or www.travelocity.com is
pretty reliable EXCEPT that often if you go to the websites of the car
companies themselves, you can get a better deal. The best way to search
those, I'm finding, is to use www.sidestep.com --the problem with Sidestep
is that you install the program on your computer, and then it automatically
opens up anytime you do a car, hotel, or flight search at ANY site. The
BENEFIT to this is that you have an instant "second opinion"--and that it
searches the supplier websites directly for air and car.

I just booked a National car where Orbitz and Travelocity said the best deal
was $29 a day, but Sidestep quoted National at $25 a day (Orbitz and
Travelocity quoted National much higher). One click, and Sidestep
immediately jumps you to the National website, where you simply book it
there (they did not require prepayment, and they did not ask for a credit
card number--though you have to be careful that some car websites may ask
for a credit card and charge you for a day if you do not notify them of
cancellation).

Also, if you want the smallest and cheapest be sure to specify an Economy
car, because most websites will default to Compact car (or bigger), which
will cost more.

Thanks Doug, I have used Travelocity before and didn't have a problem
(on flights). I will check all my bookmarked web sites and check out
companies direct too.



I definitely don't want a compact car, but don't want to be paying
$40/50 per day either.

Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Check out "off airport" locations, and you might avoid those nasty airport
surcharges.


"suebo" wrote in message
...

Can anyone recommend a decent cheap (ish) car rental place in Tampa,
preferably near the airport.

Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

We rented our car from Orbitz down in Miami... did you check them??

"Sandy Stenhouse" wrote in message ...
Check out "off airport" locations, and you might avoid those nasty airport
surcharges.


"suebo" wrote in message
...

Can anyone recommend a decent cheap (ish) car rental place in Tampa,
preferably near the airport.

Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Thanks for the info. I just checked, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity.
THey are all pretty much the same price - $140-$190 for a week. A bit
cheaper than I expected. But after you add insurance realistically you
have to double it.



Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

But after you add insurance realistically you have to double it.

If you rent with a gold or platinum (or higher?) credit card, your CDW
insurance should be covered by the card (double-check with your credit card
company). Then again, check with your current auto insurer to be sure
that they don't ALREADY cover your rental (mine does). And if neither of
those work, why not buy some CHEAPER insurance than what the car company
offers with a company like:

http://www.travelguard.com/products/...ertificate.asp
Travel Guard International, a leading U.S. travel-insurance specialist,
sells a $25,000 Collision Damage Waiver for only US $7.00 per day plus a
policy fee of $3.00. You can get a $35,000 CDW for $9.00 plus the $3.00
policy fee. These rates are bargains compared to the prices charged by
rental-car firms.

Thanks Doug, I have 2 Platinum cards, so will check it out

Cheers


--
suebo


Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Also try the comparison sites to see if you can get better coverage
for cheaper. http://www.quotetravelinsurance.com