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> These days I rent far more often, and even being part of elite programs and being very experienced with the process it is still far more of a hassle than simp

> These days I rent far more often, and even being part of elite programs and being very experienced with the process it is still far more of a hassle than simply approaching a car you’ve booked online, tapping your RFID card and driving away. Really? The last time I rented a car in MIA, I showed up, was Enterprise Executive so I went and could choose any of a few dozen cars that had the keys already in the ignition. After that, I drove up to the exit at which point the person pulled up my reservation, scanned the car, and gave me the paperwork. I was out in less than 5 minutes from when I chose the car. Return was just as easy, just pulled into the lot, someone scanned the car and sent me on my way. Granted, it's not as easy as RFID and go, and I don't have that much experience with rentals because I don't use them often, but I wouldn't call it "far more" of a hassle, at least in my limited experience.

astura 9y ago
Jesus, limited experience indeed! That's how bigger airport car rentals work, you've obviously never rented a car outside an airport location. Non airport car rental locations usually take a lot longer to go through the whole process, no streamlined/staffless way to rent, and have limited hours and a much smaller staff. I think the one by my house is even closed on Sundays. If you have some jackoff in front of you who is fighting with the staff about being turned away for not having a credit card you end up having to wait for the staff to deal with that before they can process your rental[1]. I've also had to wait for the car to be cleaned in the past when they got unexpectedly busy. On top of that airports are usually not located near where people live. The vast majority of people renting a Zipcar for a day trip are not going to want to go to an airport to pick up their car. Airport rentals can get significantly backed up during busy times. I've gotten totally gridlocked in the rental car parking lot before. [1] actually happened to me
- ImSkeptical 9y ago
  Speaking as someone who has been turned away for not having a credit card, that is frustrating. In my case, I had paid for a "luxury" car rental for the weekend for a fun getaway, only to be told at the stand that my debit card wouldn't do. They also wouldn't accept a credit card number. I think if you take someone's payment instrument, and that payment instrument isn't valid to use the service you provide, you should warn the user or not take the payment. Poor customer experience. I'm trying to say that I can understand fighting with the rental car service over it. In fact, you may have been behind me! (You'll be pleased (or not) to know that in my case I was fully refunded after threatening to dispute the charge with the bank, and had to walk down the street to a different rental car place where they did permit me to rent a luxury car without a credit card.)
ghaff 9y ago
I can see the parent's comment. Rentals are fine when you're flying in if you want your own transportation. In a city, the locations and their hours are usually pretty limited. I sometimes do rentals from a city location--usually to return to the airport--but it's always a bit of a hassle.

astura 9y ago

Jesus, limited experience indeed! That's how bigger airport car rentals work, you've obviously never rented a car outside an airport location. Non airport car rental locations usually take a lot longer to go through the whole process, no streamlined/staffless way to rent, and have limited hours and a much smaller staff. I think the one by my house is even closed on Sundays. If you have some jackoff in front of you who is fighting with the staff about being turned away for not having a credit card you end up having to wait for the staff to deal with that before they can process your rental[1]. I've also had to wait for the car to be cleaned in the past when they got unexpectedly busy. On top of that airports are usually not located near where people live. The vast majority of people renting a Zipcar for a day trip are not going to want to go to an airport to pick up their car. Airport rentals can get significantly backed up during busy times. I've gotten totally gridlocked in the rental car parking lot before. [1] actually happened to me

ImSkeptical 9y ago
Speaking as someone who has been turned away for not having a credit card, that is frustrating. In my case, I had paid for a "luxury" car rental for the weekend for a fun getaway, only to be told at the stand that my debit card wouldn't do. They also wouldn't accept a credit card number. I think if you take someone's payment instrument, and that payment instrument isn't valid to use the service you provide, you should warn the user or not take the payment. Poor customer experience. I'm trying to say that I can understand fighting with the rental car service over it. In fact, you may have been behind me! (You'll be pleased (or not) to know that in my case I was fully refunded after threatening to dispute the charge with the bank, and had to walk down the street to a different rental car place where they did permit me to rent a luxury car without a credit card.)

ghaff 9y ago

I can see the parent's comment. Rentals are fine when you're flying in if you want your own transportation. In a city, the locations and their hours are usually pretty limited. I sometimes do rentals from a city location--usually to return to the airport--but it's always a bit of a hassle.