Mid-Atlantic - alb rental car suggestions

going to alb in july... i have never rented a car before in my almost 20 years of being a licensed driver. so i know even less about the state of affairs in alb. this will also be my only car rental until we go back next summer.

i have a family of four so will need a four door with decent trunk space (so probably a fullsize) arriving late friday night and leaving tuesday afternoon.

any rental company there better than another, or should i just shoot for the lowest price. any to stay away from even if they are lower?

thanks for the help!

Hello bt13, are you planning to rent at Albany, NY (ALB) or Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)?

Some of the others here may disagree, but I use the Orbitz grid to check prices as I can see most agencies and car types at once. I then go to the web site of the particular company and book.

Be sure to check out mid-size SUV and minivan pricing as they may be running specials that will make them lower-priced than a full size car.

Finally, you can often get the best pricing using the bidding sites, if you do not mind going that way. Check out the process in detail and it may be a bit confusing for your first rental in a long time.

ALB (Albany, NY) is very convenient. Rental car counters are in the baggage claim area and the cars are across the street in the parking garage if you choose an on-site agency. Make sure you check out return location before you leave. National which I use has you park in a spot and take the info to the booth if no one is there to check you in. The others may be different.

I use orbitz.com to compare prices and book. Just enter your arrival airport and date, and your departure date and you'll get a grid of the various car rental companies, car sizes, and prices.

Hello bt13, are you planning to rent at Albany, NY (ALB) or Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)?

Albany, NY.

Thanks for the tips!

Look into ever association you belong to they probably have discount codes. Some are combinable with others. AAA member? Discount. AARP/ Discount. Costco or BJ's? They offer a discount. Read Car and Driver or several other magazines? Discounts.

There are discount code listings in all of the indificual auto rental threads here too.

If you really don't care where the car is from, I would also consider priceline for the rental, you won't know which agency it is from until you have paid for it, but you can sometimes (though not always) save a bit of money that way.

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Mid-Atlantic Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator