Las Vegas - Advice on car rentals from the Strip early AM?

I'll need a rental car for only part of my trip. I'm likely flying in at night, taking a day to recuperate, then want to get up super-early AM the next day and head to death valley. "Super-early" meaning around 4 to 5am. I'm staying at the MGM Grand and my wife says there's a Dollar rent-a-car office at the hotel. Some questions:

1) Are they likely to be open at 4 to 5am? Or would I have to get myself to the airport for that? Or pick-up a car the night before?

2) What are some other car rental options within walking distance from the MGM Grand? "Walking distance" to me is a max 20 minute brisk walk.

3) How late would I be able to drop off a car? Wouldn't expect to be back from Death Valley till late--"late" to me being past 10pm--I know a lot of car rental offices close at 5pm or 6pm. In cities like San Francisco, I've had to pick-up downtown in the morning and often my only option for a late return would be at SFO.

Later in the week, I may need another, separate car rental for an overnight side-trip to Zion National Park.

I usually rent from Hertz.

But, a LINK (http://www.dollar.com/Locations/GEN/HoursOfOperation.aspx?locationId=LASC13) to Dollar at the MGM Las Vegas.

(other strip locations are listed on the left side-bar)

I'll need a rental car for only part of my trip. I'm likely flying in at night, taking a day to recuperate, then want to get up super-early AM the next day and head to death valley. "Super-early" meaning around 4 to 5am. I'm staying at the MGM Grand and my wife says there's a Dollar rent-a-car office at the hotel. Some questions:

1) Are they likely to be open at 4 to 5am? Or would I have to get myself to the airport for that? Or pick-up a car the night before?

2) What are some other car rental options within walking distance from the MGM Grand? "Walking distance" to me is a max 20 minute brisk walk.

3) How late would I be able to drop off a car? Wouldn't expect to be back from Death Valley till late--"late" to me being past 10pm--I know a lot of car rental offices close at 5pm or 6pm. In cities like San Francisco, I've had to pick-up downtown in the morning and often my only option for a late return would be at SFO.

Later in the week, I may need another, separate car rental for an overnight side-trip to Zion National Park.

Usually, rental sites in hotels have very limited hours. They won't be open in the early morning hours. Why not pick it up the night before. Then you'll be ready to go.

Later in the week, I may need another, separate car rental for an overnight side-trip to Zion National Park.

Make sure you price out a full week to see if it's cheaper to just keep the car (parking is free at all strip casinos and most other places, you can just park it and leave it between your side trips).

Make sure you price out a full week to see if it's cheaper to just keep the car (parking is free at all strip casinos and most other places, you can just park it and leave it between your side trips).

Thanks BK, TB, and and GLG. Great tips! The One Big Expense may be pick-up in Las Vegas but drop-off in another city. Will have to research that. Trying to extend my trip so I fly out of Salt Lake City. I want to run up I-15 to see Zion National Park and Bryce, plus whatever might be on the way to SLC. Looks cheaper to fly home from SLC than LAS.

1) Are they likely to be open at 4 to 5am? Or would I have to get myself to the airport for that? Or pick-up a car the night before?




Unless things have changed things you can't rent a car at the airport. In Vegas they take you to a huge terminal building that houses all of the rental car companies under one roof. I had to use it once when the Wynn was out of cars and I needed to one to get to Wolf Creek to play golf. Things may be different now.

Unless things have changed things you can't rent a car at the airport. In Vegas they take you to a huge terminal building that houses all of the rental car companies under one roof. I had to use it once when the Wynn was out of cars and I needed to one to get to Wolf Creek to play golf. Things may be different now.

Thanks TT.

Has anyone used Fox? They come up as the cheapest car rental company for LAS (in case I don't do a one-way drop-off in another city). Any "gothcas" with them I should know about? For example, would I be able to drive out of state on a Fox contract, e.g. to CA for Death Valley or UT to visit Zion National Park?

Thanks TT.

Has anyone used Fox? They come up as the cheapest car rental company for LAS (in case I don't do a one-way drop-off in another city). Any "gothcas" with them I should know about? For example, would I be able to drive out of state on a Fox contract, e.g. to CA for Death Valley or UT to visit Zion National Park?

You can do that with any rental, what they don't know won't hurt your pocketbook. Just don't rent a gps from the rental company ;). An dmake sure you're getting unlimited mileage.

Thanks TT.

Has anyone used Fox? They come up as the cheapest car rental company for LAS (in case I don't do a one-way drop-off in another city). Any "gothcas" with them I should know about? For example, would I be able to drive out of state on a Fox contract, e.g. to CA for Death Valley or UT to visit Zion National Park?

Fox is OK, but be aware their cars are much older than the major car rental companies. if this doesn't bother you, rent from them and save a buck.

Thanks TT.

Has anyone used Fox? They come up as the cheapest car rental company for LAS (in case I don't do a one-way drop-off in another city). Any "gothcas" with them I should know about? For example, would I be able to drive out of state on a Fox contract, e.g. to CA for Death Valley or UT to visit Zion National Park?

Fox is rubbish - older cars, expensive insurance, and they are located far away from the other operators with their own infrequent shuttle. Avoid IMHO!

Fox is rubbish - older cars, expensive insurance, and they are located far away from the other operators with their own infrequent shuttle. Avoid IMHO!

Thanks King, TheBat, and GG. By "older", are we talking nobody-loves-me Rent-a-Wreck cars that are 7+ years old? Or are we talking maybe 2-4 years old? If the latter, that doesn't bother me. I book compact cars and a 2-4 year old base model Hyundai Accent, for example, would do just fine. Renting a current-year model only concerns me if I'm renting for a long-term test drive of a vehicle I'm considering purchasing.

How far away are we talking about? And if I do book Fox, should I try to do so through a name-your-own-price bid on Priceline? I've thought about using Priceline, but I may need to do a one-way drop off in another city. The daily rate is almost insignificant when you see the often exorbitant drop fees (as much as $250 alone). Anyone know if Priceline bidding takes into consideration one-way drop charges? Don't want to be stuck with a low daily rate but sky-high drop fee.

Anyone here ever used a Priceline bid where a one-way drop off fee was involved? Would you get socked with the one-way drop off fee only after your bid price was accepted?

Anyone here ever used a Priceline bid where a one-way drop off fee was involved? Would you get socked with the one-way drop off fee only after your bid price was accepted?

I'm pretty certain you can't do that with Priceline.

FWIW, one way rentals tend to a non-economical option (with varying degrees, depending on the city combinations). If you are fortunate to have a 'robust' corporate rate, that can often help.

I would never consider renting from a non-major car rental company; but that's just me. I always weigh savings versus potential problems when I am on vacation. Getting a lousy (or very old car), that might have an issue, could cost me valuable leisure time that far exceeds the price of the rental. And, the few times I have run into a problem, I've found that rental agencies (such as Hertz) handle car swaps/exchanges much better than the 'no-name' brands.

I'm pretty certain you can't do that with Priceline.

FWIW, one way rentals tend to a non-economical option (with varying degrees, depending on the city combinations). If you are fortunate to have a 'robust' corporate rate, that can often help.

I would never consider renting from a non-major car rental company; but that's just me. I always weigh savings versus potential problems when I am on vacation. Getting a lousy (or very old car), that might have an issue, could cost me valuable leisure time that far exceeds the price of the rental. And, the few times I have run into a problem, I've found that rental agencies (such as Hertz) handle car swaps/exchanges much better than the 'no-name' brands.

Thanks BK. I've seen one-way car rental drop fees as high as $285. And $250 was typical. More than the cost of the rental itself (economy/compact car). Cheapest drop fees I've seen have been LAX and SAN ($35).

I hear you about potentially stepping over dollars to pick-up pennies (or worse) by going with a non-national brand. When you or others say Fox has "very old" cars, are we talking Rent-a-Wreck old? I've rented from Rent-a-Wreck once. Never again. Got a car that had to be 10+ years old.

Some oneway rentals also sock you with mileage in addition to the fee. Double whammy. Best to thoroughly read the rental agreement.

Some oneway rentals also sock you with mileage in addition to the fee. Double whammy. Best to thoroughly read the rental agreement.

Ouch! Thanks Kingalien.