Car Rental: How can this be so cheap?

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 01/08/2020 at 15:50 • Filed to: None

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I reserved a rental car for my wife and son for next weekend. They are traveling to Sacramento so my son can audition for a drum corps. I timed the pickup and drop off so it would only be two days, and this is what Costco Travel came up with:

That’s, like, stupid cheap. But the reservation confirms it’s for two days, so I guess w e’ll just roll with it. Thanks, Costco.

412GTI > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 15:56

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Most likely because of low demand after the holidays. They probably still have a ton of cars dumped on the lot from that and can rent them for a lower cost. That’s a great deal! 

jimz > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 15:57

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you’re guaranteed to be given a “similar” Nissan Versa.  At which point you’ll insist on upgrading rather than have to spend any time driving a Versa.

Cé hé sin > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 15:58

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Insurance may not be included?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:03

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As long as it’s not Fox Rent-a-Car...

ttyymmnn > jimz 01/08/2020 at 16:03

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My wife won’t care. At least, I hope she won’t. Last time she rented a car by herself she had to call me to figure out how to turn the headlights on. So, there’s that.

ttyymmnn > Cé hé sin 01/08/2020 at 16:04

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They’ll hit her up for insurance at the counter, but we always decline it. Our own policy covers rentals. 

jimz > Cé hé sin 01/08/2020 at 16:05

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their insurance is almost always an add-on not listed in the advertised price. if you don’t buy theirs then damage is on your own car insurance (or you personally.)

This is the US, after all.  Everything is an additional fee. 

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:07

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Mandarins?  So what made him decide to audition for a corps up there?

JMordu becoming “savethemilanos” > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:07

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This checks out. I’ve paid under $10 a day frequently before, especially in California. LA specifically, but sac probably can’t cost more. Used to rent econoboxes for weekend trips because the rental cost plus regular gas at nearly 40mpg was cheaper than premium at low 20s mpg over any reasonable distance. (Usually break even point was about 300 miles total) And that’s before accounting for wear items, mileage, etc.  

Honestly I view a rental car as unreasonably pricey over about $20 a day, but I know that’s kind of absurd and I’m crazy. 

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 01/08/2020 at 16:10

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Yes, Mandarins. And I have no idea why he chose them. He tends to aim for the middle of things, and he tends to hit where he aims. On his last Region audition, he said he wanted to finish about 21st and he got 20th. I think he picked Mandarins because they aren’t one of the top corps, but still respectable. I reminded him that there are corps in Texas, too. He auditioned in the fall in San Antonio, and this is a call-back audition. I predict he’ll make it. Which throws our summer plans into chaos.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:19

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Honestly, you are giving him exceptional latitude to choose his course on this, given the logistic and economic challenges.  I hope he fully appreciates the sacrifices you two are making for him to have this opportunity.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/08/2020 at 16:20

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...do they come with Tucker Carlson yelling at you as the only entertainment?

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 01/08/2020 at 16:25

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We are, and he does. He’s been practicing his ass off. In a certain way, I’m kind of  hoping he makes it and then decides that he doesn’t like it. But it’s also one of the first things he’s really expressed an interest in, and we want to support him in his endeavors. He really digs marching band, but he gets frustrated when only half his band is giving 100%. He looks at some of the powerhouse bands in our area and is very wistful about being in such a program. His band is fine, but it’s not a Vista Ridge or Lake Travis. So, we’ll see where this goes. He’ll definitely be flying by himself from now on, though. That’s going to be a huge leap, for all of us. My brother lives in the Bay Area, so even if something bad happens help is only a couple of hours away.

TorqueToYield > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:31

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Normally the C ostco discount doesn’t really change the price but gets you an upgrade in car type. That was what happened the last time I tried at least.

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:42

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For less than a week’s rental, I’ve never seen under $20/day. Usually they charge you a lot more for the short-term commitment.

And if you were going one-way, double or triple that :)

Nice work. I hate shopping at Costco with a passion but as long as I’m a member, I’ll keep this in mind. And if I ever need a car that requires premium fuel, theirs is far and away the cheapest (regular, not so much).

Thomas Donohue > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 16:50

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This happens to me all the time when I travel. I’m not used to electric parking brakes, keyless ignition, reverse cameras, all the warnings and beeping, etc.

Don’t get me started about the engine stop/start.......

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 01/08/2020 at 16:59

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This is the first time I’ve rented through Costco. They use some sort of rate aggregator, so it was a hell of a lot easier than calling four different companies. 10/10, will use again. 

ttyymmnn > Thomas Donohue 01/08/2020 at 16:59

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We rented a Mazda CX9 (I think) last summer. I wasn’t a fan, and don’t get me started either about keyless ignitions. They’re stupid.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 17:00

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Great.  If the experience helps him grow, it’s worth it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 01/08/2020 at 17:04

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I would almost prefer listening to Tucker Carlson over doing business with Fox Rent-a-Car.

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 17:21

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I’ve often used Kayak or Expedia to aggregate (just like shopping for airline tickets) but usually end up going with Enterprise — usually among the chea pest, plus free courtesy rides which is handy in non-airport locations.

Also, if this is an airport location, you scored REALLY bigtime. Airports usually have even more charges baked into them.

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 01/08/2020 at 17:25

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It is an airport: SMF 

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 01/08/2020 at 17:25

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Of course, then we have to factor in the $47.999/gal gas in CA.

404 - User No Longer Available > Ash78, voting early and often 01/08/2020 at 18:05

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Actually Enterprise used to run weekend deals for $10 a day but these days I can’t ever seem to find any availability, even though they list the deal on the site.

Used it in the past to rent a small hatchback for Ikea runs, cost me like $30 bucks total.

SmugAardvark > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 18:46

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I’ll wave to them while they’re landing. Too bad you won’t be joining them, I’d offer to show you around Sac. It might be creepy if it’s just your wife and son.

But to help answer your question, we are just hitting one of the biggest lulls in travel that we see on an annual basis . The rental agencies are keen to pick up as many customers as they can to avoid such a mon u mental drop in passenger traffic. Better to get $37 as opposed to $0.

ttyymmnn > SmugAardvark 01/08/2020 at 18:49

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I would have enjoyed the tour. Alas, I have opera rehearsals that weekend.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 20:17

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After my recent loss, I discovered that my card covers damage to the car, but does not cover loss of personal property from the car. My homeowner’s insurance would cover some personal property, but the deductible was close enough to the loss that a claim would have netted me just a few hundred dollars and higher premiums. 

smobgirl > ttyymmnn 01/08/2020 at 20:23

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Good luck little ttyymmnn! 

ttyymmnn > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/08/2020 at 20:26

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I will double check with USAA. I know I asked them once before and came away thinking I would be fine. 

ttyymmnn > smobgirl 01/08/2020 at 20:27

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Thanks! 

ttyymmnn > smobgirl 01/08/2020 at 20:51

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Little ttyymmnn? He’s taller than me!!