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> Even in the best case scenario, renting a car is a time-consuming hassle No that’s the worst case scenario. > you have to navigate high pressure tactics on

by epcoa 2y ago

> Even in the best case scenario, renting a car is a time-consuming hassle No that’s the worst case scenario. > you have to navigate high pressure tactics on buying upgrades, fuel, insurance, etc. No you don’t. In the US, the major reputable companies allow you to register your DL and insurance, pick your default fuel preference. 20 minutes prior the reservation you get a list of available cars and proceed directly to the car. You then scan a QR code at the exit, maybe you show your DL to a guy at the gate, who is in no position to sell anything. This is for almost all airport locations and many corporate locations. Even when you see an agent.. High pressure tactics? That’s impossible, they have no leverage. It’s not like buying a hot new car or something. The insurance is usually worthless to you so you aren’t losing anything by walking away. Just say no? A simple no always works. Carry a credit card with primary rental insurance. I have had a sales person try to give some bullshit song and dance even when I politely tell them I have primary insurance on my card. It’s a simple “no, not interested.” What are they going to do?

millzlane 2y ago
Rented from enterprise last month. I booked a Sports Car Rental (Dodge Challenger or Similar). I got there and they only had a miata. Certainly a cool car. But it's too small for me. I needed a Dodge Challenger or similar. So I ended up with the slowest truck imaginable with no fuel in it. They wouldn't give me my company's corp. rate even though I had my work badge and this rental was for a work training in DC. Oh! and I brought my own EZ pass, but somehow the enterprise car somehow still charged me for tolls. But not without the extra convenience fee. Rental car companies here suck.
- epcoa 2y ago
  > and I brought my own EZ pass, but somehow the enterprise car somehow still charged me for tolls. If they charged for tolls that can only mean they got billed by tolling agency, often by plate reader. I mean it kind of sucks but if your ezpass doesn’t work not sure how that makes the rental company responsible.
  - millzlane 2y ago
    Because it costs nothing to pay the toll and charge me the toll in their automated system.
- listenallyall 2y ago
  Sorry I have plenty of issues with car rental companies but dude - if you need a car of a certain size, rent that size, not "sports car". And book through your company's travel service, with the proper company code, no counter agent knows what your company badge is, and they certainly don't care that you're going to a work-related training. E-Z Passes are, unfortunately, usually tied to a specific license plate. For example, the Maryland and Virginia E-Z Passes require you to log into your account and enter the rental car's plates. It's understandable one might not realize that, but at the same time, that's EZ Pass setting those rules, not Enterprise. https://driveezmd.com/acct-types/e-zpass-faq/ https://driveezmd.com/acct-types/e-zpass-faq/ https://tollguru.com/va-ez-pass-rental-car/ https://tollguru.com/va-ez-pass-rental-car/
  - epcoa 2y ago
    Furthermore in states with pay by plate as a fall back like NY and IL you can register the rental car plate for the duration of the rental. https://www.tollsbymailny.com/vector/videotolls/paytollnow/signup.do?locale=en_US&from=Home https://www.tollsbymailny.com/vector/videotolls/paytollnow/s...
    - listenallyall 2y ago
      This is an area where the governments are short-sighted and it's very hard to blame individual renters. Many of these states have no option to pay cash tolls anymore. Further, not everyone in a rental (often in a strange place) knows they will use a toll road, so you really can't blame people for failing to register ahead of time (either the plates or via E-Z Pass) -- plus the fact that you don't know the plates until you're physically at the car, it's not like you can pre-register a week in advance, even if you wanted to. You'd think by now some of these transportation authorities would set up some payment system with Google & Apple Pay as a cashless alternative for people without an EZ Pass.
      - epcoa 2y ago
        > it's not like you can pre-register a week in advance True, although you usually have a 48 hour window to post register. Not saying this is the most consumer friendly setup, but the fees are avoidable. > Further, not everyone in a rental (often in a strange place) knows they will use a toll road When I end up in a such a state I reflexively register (actually use a checklist, can take care of this in the hotel room in the evening for instance) regardless of whether I plan to use a toll road or not. There’s no guesswork to this other than knowing what states I’ll be in. Always make sure the rental car either does not have a transponder or that it is closed in its shielded box. If you’re dealing with an agent always make sure every add on service is declined. > Google & Apple Pay as a cashless alternative for people without an EZ Pass. But how would that work with open road tolling?

by epcoa 2y ago

millzlane 2y ago

Rented from enterprise last month. I booked a Sports Car Rental (Dodge Challenger or Similar). I got there and they only had a miata. Certainly a cool car. But it's too small for me. I needed a Dodge Challenger or similar. So I ended up with the slowest truck imaginable with no fuel in it. They wouldn't give me my company's corp. rate even though I had my work badge and this rental was for a work training in DC. Oh! and I brought my own EZ pass, but somehow the enterprise car somehow still charged me for tolls. But not without the extra convenience fee. Rental car companies here suck.

epcoa 2y ago
> and I brought my own EZ pass, but somehow the enterprise car somehow still charged me for tolls. If they charged for tolls that can only mean they got billed by tolling agency, often by plate reader. I mean it kind of sucks but if your ezpass doesn’t work not sure how that makes the rental company responsible.
- millzlane 2y ago
  Because it costs nothing to pay the toll and charge me the toll in their automated system.
listenallyall 2y ago
Sorry I have plenty of issues with car rental companies but dude - if you need a car of a certain size, rent that size, not "sports car". And book through your company's travel service, with the proper company code, no counter agent knows what your company badge is, and they certainly don't care that you're going to a work-related training. E-Z Passes are, unfortunately, usually tied to a specific license plate. For example, the Maryland and Virginia E-Z Passes require you to log into your account and enter the rental car's plates. It's understandable one might not realize that, but at the same time, that's EZ Pass setting those rules, not Enterprise. https://driveezmd.com/acct-types/e-zpass-faq/ https://driveezmd.com/acct-types/e-zpass-faq/ https://tollguru.com/va-ez-pass-rental-car/ https://tollguru.com/va-ez-pass-rental-car/
- epcoa 2y ago
  Furthermore in states with pay by plate as a fall back like NY and IL you can register the rental car plate for the duration of the rental. https://www.tollsbymailny.com/vector/videotolls/paytollnow/signup.do?locale=en_US&from=Home https://www.tollsbymailny.com/vector/videotolls/paytollnow/s...
  - listenallyall 2y ago
    This is an area where the governments are short-sighted and it's very hard to blame individual renters. Many of these states have no option to pay cash tolls anymore. Further, not everyone in a rental (often in a strange place) knows they will use a toll road, so you really can't blame people for failing to register ahead of time (either the plates or via E-Z Pass) -- plus the fact that you don't know the plates until you're physically at the car, it's not like you can pre-register a week in advance, even if you wanted to. You'd think by now some of these transportation authorities would set up some payment system with Google & Apple Pay as a cashless alternative for people without an EZ Pass.
    - epcoa 2y ago
      > it's not like you can pre-register a week in advance True, although you usually have a 48 hour window to post register. Not saying this is the most consumer friendly setup, but the fees are avoidable. > Further, not everyone in a rental (often in a strange place) knows they will use a toll road When I end up in a such a state I reflexively register (actually use a checklist, can take care of this in the hotel room in the evening for instance) regardless of whether I plan to use a toll road or not. There’s no guesswork to this other than knowing what states I’ll be in. Always make sure the rental car either does not have a transponder or that it is closed in its shielded box. If you’re dealing with an agent always make sure every add on service is declined. > Google & Apple Pay as a cashless alternative for people without an EZ Pass. But how would that work with open road tolling?