Car Rental
 

The wife and I need to rent a car for a week to drive out of state to visit some family... any suggestions on which rental place will rape us the least with fees? We both need to be on the rental documents and I know that some places charge for more than one driver as well as for going out of state.

I would check the rate on the internet, the rate on the 1-800 number and find the phone number at the local branch. You'll often get a different rate at all three, and you can pick the cheapest.
Also, airport locations normally have added fees, or just charge more. If you can get a ride to an off-airport location you may save some money there.
When I worked at Enterprise we let spouses be added to the rental contract for free, but it's been a while and that may have changed. We didn't charge for out of state as long as it wasn't to like California or Maine.

Thanks. I wouldn't have thought to check the 800 number or that the location made much difference in the price, but both of those make sense.

See if there are any coupons in your latest credit card bill or other bills. They throw them in like candy, and the last time I rented a car I saved a bunch of money because my wife remembered getting one. It was something like 25 percent of the total cost.

You might even see if any chiefsplanet members have gotten any coupons recently. They could give you the discount code.

Just use you points. Duh. I've never paid for a rental car in my life for personal use.

I usually let travelocity decide.

Don't get the insurance, and do the simple math on each gas option before choosing "we'll fill it up for $0.25 less than what you pay at the pump!"

I rent cars a lot because I'm constantly traveling, and I always use Enterprise and have not had a problem before.

Rent at the airport...GUARANTEE cheaper rates...

I've used Enterprise twice. I was happy with them.

Do you think there's a hug discount?

i always offer hugs
sometimes people decline me
now I can't drop my kids off at school.

Check with your credit card company. Some of them have a CDW benefit that if you book the reservation with their card, they will cover the collision damage at no cost to you. Make sure you understand what they cover and what they don't however.

Rent a U-haul van
you'll need it for the swag anyway