Car rental/leasing for three weeks in Las Vegas

[dmharris]

Do you know of an inexpensive way to rent a car in Vegas for three weeks? We're going to drive to Phoenix and Newport Coast, CA over the three weeks. I get great rates with my company discount with National at about $40/night including all fees and taxes (that's what costs so much!) Totaling $854.01

Any creative ideas?

 

[DaveNV]

Costco.com. They have great rates for Las Vegas cars. Free mileage. Free second driver. If you're not a member, you can join from their website. The cost of membership can be easily saved just on the car rental savings.

You don't say when you want to rent, but I just checked Costco.com with an arbitrary date. An Intermediate car for three weeks starting June 4, 2016 would cost you $523 all-in. Taxes and fees included. That's a lot better than the rates you're getting through your company.

Dave

 

[am1]

It takes a few days for you to be able to book with costco after you sign up online. Even though it says to become a member today.

 

[dmharris]

Our dates are February 3, 2016 till February 24. Thanks for this. We're SAM's club members as it's very close to us and Costco is 20 miles away, but I'd consider it.

 

[dmharris]

Thanks BMWGuy for the tip. I went to the Sam's Club site and was able to secure an Intermediate car for 3 weeks for $$469.36. That's half the price of my company rate! Holy cow, I wish I knew this sooner. So at $15/year for a TUG membership I'm saving over 26 years of TUG membership fees on this one rental!!

Editing my error: I actually went to the CarRentals.com internet site and found this car through Fox Rentals not Sam's Club. Hope no one has had a negative experience with Fox.

 

[am1]

Thanks BMWGuy for the tip. I went to the Sam's Club site and was able to secure an Intermediate car for 3 weeks for $$469.36. That's half the price of my company rate! Holy cow, I wish I knew this sooner. So at $15/year for a TUG membership I'm saving over 26 years of TUG membership fees on this one rental!!

Invested properly the money saved should pay for the Tug membership forever.

 

[LAX Mom]

You can check rates on Costco travel site without being a Costco member. If you find a tempting rate, maybe it would be worth joining or you could find a friend to book it for you?

 

[hintok]

You can check rates on Costco travel site without being a Costco member. If you find a tempting rate, maybe it would be worth joining or you could find a friend to book it for you?

Yes, you can. You don't need to log on until you are ready to reserve the car.

 

[BocaBoy]

Do you know of an inexpensive way to rent a car in Vegas for three weeks? We're going to drive to Phoenix and Newport Coast, CA over the three weeks. I get great rates with my company discount with National at about $40/night including all fees and taxes (that's what costs so much!) Totaling $854.01.

Hate to tell you, but your company rate is really not very good.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks BMWGuy for the tip. I went to the Sam's Club site and was able to secure an Intermediate car for 3 weeks for $$469.36. That's half the price of my company rate! Holy cow, I wish I knew this sooner. So at $15/year for a TUG membership I'm saving over 26 years of TUG membership fees on this one rental!!

Editing my error: I actually went to the CarRentals.com internet site and found this car through Fox Rentals not Sam's Club. Hope no one has had a negative experience with Fox.

Hi Diane,

I just checked Costco again using your dates, and their rate is still $523 for those dates. That's $25 a day, all-in. If the rate you got is better, then stay with that. Make sure your Car Retals.com rate includes all taxes and fees, has free mileage, and includes a free extra driver. Most companies charge extra, and your final cost may be higher than they quote up front. Costco's rates are all-in. No surprises.

Also, be aware that rates do change from time to time. With Costco, you can book a car, then cancel and rebook if rates change. I often find a lower rate and rebook. I've saved plenty over the years doing this. There is no penalty to cancel.

As for the Costco membership, if you joined, had your rental, and then later found you weren't using the membership, you can cancel that membership at any time during the membership year, and they'll refund your entire membership fee. So you have nothing to lose on the deal. (On the other hand, you may choose to keep it - you may find a Costco warehouse 20 miles away from you may be a worthwhile thing, as their merchandise and such are considered better than other membership warehouses. They are definitely not all created equal.)

Good luck on your trip! (And I agree with Boca - your company rate isn't very good. )

Dave

 

[dmharris]

Hate to tell you, but your company rate is really not very good.

I'm realizing this! At one time before the internet, we thought it was great! Now, not so much. Kicking myself for not researching this more closely. I like the perks I get with National, being an Executive Emerald Aisle distinction. I pick any car (I hate not being in control). And there are perks to the program, but for a three week rental, the Fox rate supersedes all of the above.

 

[dmharris]

Hi Diane,

I just checked Costco again using your dates, and their rate is still $523 for those dates. That's $25 a day, all-in. If the rate you got is better, then stay with that. Make sure your Car Retals.com rate includes all taxes and fees, has free mileage, and includes a free extra driver. Most companies charge extra, and your final cost may be higher than they quote up front. Costco's rates are all-in. No surprises.

Also, be aware that rates do change from time to time. With Costco, you can book a car, then cancel and rebook if rates change. I often find a lower rate and rebook. I've saved plenty over the years doing this. There is no penalty to cancel.

As for the Costco membership, if you joined, had your rental, and then later found you weren't using the membership, you can cancel that membership at any time during the membership year, and they'll refund your entire membership fee. So you have nothing to lose on the deal. (On the other hand, you may choose to keep it - you may find a Costco warehouse 20 miles away from you may be a worthwhile thing, as their merchandise and such are considered better than other membership warehouses. They are definitely not all created equal.)

Good luck on your trip! (And I agree with Boca - your company rate isn't very good. )

Dave

Dave, thanks for taking the time to type up all this great information!

 

[DaveNV]

Dave, thanks for taking the time to type up all this great information!

Happy to offer the info. Hope some of it helps!

Dave

 

[riverdees05]

Have you check with FOX Carrental?

https://www.foxrentacar.com/

My wife is going out there after Thanksgiving and got the best deal with them.

 

[Wgk101]

Also look to rent from a location that is not at the airport. They add additional fees for an airport rental

 

[TUGBrian]

Thanks BMWGuy for the tip. I went to the Sam's Club site and was able to secure an Intermediate car for 3 weeks for $$469.36. That's half the price of my company rate! Holy cow, I wish I knew this sooner. So at $15/year for a TUG membership I'm saving over 26 years of TUG membership fees on this one rental!!

Editing my error: I actually went to the CarRentals.com internet site and found this car through Fox Rentals not Sam's Club. Hope no one has had a negative experience with Fox.

even more, because a TUG membership renewal is only $10 a year when you use the 3 year discount option! =)

 

[TUGBrian]

I also found fox to be the cheapest, but they appear to want to charge a very significant amount to your credit card the day you reserve the car (which in my case was many months in advance)..and then told me I would not receive the refunded amount until up to 2 weeks after the car was returned.

that turned me off.