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I'm price and car conscious, meaning: 1) I usually want a specific car (high capacity, off-road capable, etc.), and 2) I hate how expensive the big boys are. Fl

I'm price and car conscious, meaning: 1) I usually want a specific car (high capacity, off-road capable, etc.), and 2) I hate how expensive the big boys are. Flightcar was also a great concept for my wife and me, as we spend a good amount of time in another state where Flightcar had operations, so we could leave a car there and use it when we were in town. When I can, I rent with Sixt, which is typically way cheaper (though their customer service is also horrible and still has the same issues being a car rental agency). It's not that the rental agencies are always that expensive, but when the taxes and fees get tacked on, it's absurd and it's not something I want to support when I don't have to. (Energy Surcharge, Customer Facility Charge, Vehicle License Fee, Concession Recovery Fee.) It's like a restaurant charging you for a burger, then having fees for the condiments that come on it, the booth you're sitting in, and for having the lights on while you're there. Recently in Costa Rica, we rented a car for $10/day, but with fees, it came to about $100/day. But I digress... Since I always look for deals, it means I'm switching between rental agencies and not sticking with one, so I've never seen the point in setting up rewards account. But your comment makes things sounds way too easy, so maybe I'll take the time and give it a shot. Thanks for the tip!

richman777 10y ago
I'll just add that your viewpoint is just the opposite side of the coin. I'm not as price conscious as I am convenience conscious. It's not worth my time and anxiety levels having to deal with the side-effects of the budget choice which you listed out. I also get a pretty nice corporate discount from my work which makes the big boys a no brainer. Although I still used the main car rental places before and the process was super smooth. Literally need a car and sign up for it in 10 minutes. Show up and get the car in ~5 minutes. At airports with kiosks you scan your license and go straight to get the car.
adevine 10y ago
I really apologize if this comes off as critical, because I honestly don't mean it to be. But by your description, you sound like the worst kind of customer for a car rental agency, because: 1. You have specific, high-performance desires 2. You are very price conscious 3. You show little/no brand loyalty I don't think these are in any way "negative" traits, but it's not hard to see how catering to these traits is not going to be a winning move for any business where there are much more profitable customers to be had.
- untog 10y ago
  Not really - the OP has expressed a willingness to try any available options. If a company were to get their act together and offer what they want, the rental company would presumably have a very valuable repeat customer. End of the day, choosing a company for "loyalty" when there's no incentive to do so is just a waste of money.
- FireBeyond 10y ago
  I have to agree. His FlightCar experience was demanding a new luxury sedan (his complaint about booking some and getting a 2004 A4 is valid)... and complaining that a car rental might be $100, not $10, a day. (I do realize that the two examples weren't the same instance.)

richman777 10y ago

I'll just add that your viewpoint is just the opposite side of the coin. I'm not as price conscious as I am convenience conscious. It's not worth my time and anxiety levels having to deal with the side-effects of the budget choice which you listed out. I also get a pretty nice corporate discount from my work which makes the big boys a no brainer. Although I still used the main car rental places before and the process was super smooth. Literally need a car and sign up for it in 10 minutes. Show up and get the car in ~5 minutes. At airports with kiosks you scan your license and go straight to get the car.

adevine 10y ago

I really apologize if this comes off as critical, because I honestly don't mean it to be. But by your description, you sound like the worst kind of customer for a car rental agency, because: 1. You have specific, high-performance desires 2. You are very price conscious 3. You show little/no brand loyalty I don't think these are in any way "negative" traits, but it's not hard to see how catering to these traits is not going to be a winning move for any business where there are much more profitable customers to be had.

untog 10y ago
Not really - the OP has expressed a willingness to try any available options. If a company were to get their act together and offer what they want, the rental company would presumably have a very valuable repeat customer. End of the day, choosing a company for "loyalty" when there's no incentive to do so is just a waste of money.
FireBeyond 10y ago
I have to agree. His FlightCar experience was demanding a new luxury sedan (his complaint about booking some and getting a 2004 A4 is valid)... and complaining that a car rental might be $100, not $10, a day. (I do realize that the two examples weren't the same instance.)