Los Angeles - LAX Rentals - Need Assistance

Thanks FTers.. I've learned lots and hopefully have contributed positively..

I'm having a bit of challenge booking a rental vehicle out of LAX as everything seems exhorbitant..

I've tried many angles.. and seems that I'm on the cusp of the breakthrough.. but am a little bit discouraged trying to rent a minivan out of LAX as everything seems to be a $100 per day and up..

I've tried the Costco Executive Membership quotes, signed up for Hertz #1 gold (with American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum card), phoned up Alamo who I usually have success with, phoned up Budget.. Tried hotwire..

and seems everything is still $1,300 to rent for 11 nights..

Dates I'm interested in is July 27th to August 7th returning around noon..

I'm asking FT experts to crack this nut open.. and hoping for a minivan after the nut is cracked!

Take a cab to the Avis off-airport at 5560 W. Manchester (Avis location QL9)

Reserve online using AWD A0748000

Total for a Dodge Caravan Minivan $608.21

Take a cab to the Avis off-airport at 5560 W. Manchester (Avis location QL9)

Reserve online using AWD A0748000

Total for a Dodge Caravan Minivan $608.21

Awesome.. looked it up and made the reservation.. thanks Cblaisd

How long of a cab ride to the Avis off airport location? I have my 5 year old son, 1 year old son, and probably 11 pieces of luggages, car seats etc.

A $100 or $150 more I would consider getting a van directly at LAX for the convenience.. dragging the entire family in a cab might be a bit of a drag.. I guess I could leave and come back and pick them up at the airport?

How's your experience with kids and all.. going offsite for rental vehicles?

Yes, that's a hassle. But at LAX you're going to have a hassle no matter what, since it's a rental car van ride to the "on-airport" [sic] facilities.

If I were doing this trip, I'd be tempted to spend the first day/night at the Holiday Inn Express (which gets good reviews) a few blocks down the street. Take their shuttle to the hotel, then walk and pick up the van.

The savings are often very dramatic using an off-airport venue instead of on-.

Yes, that's a hassle. But at LAX you're going to have a hassle no matter what, since it's a rental car van ride to the "on-airport" [sic] facilities. Iirc, the W. Manchester Avis agency is actually closer to LAX than the "airport" facility itself (LA residents will correct me :))

If I were doing this trip, I'd be tempted to spend the first day/night at the Holiday Inn Express (which gets good reviews) a few blocks down the street. Take their shuttle to the hotel, then walk and pick up the van.

Double awesome again.. you mean that there is a van shuttle to the offsite facility..

I'm starting to like this secret..

Do you just call them up and they pick you up.. or do they have a stop outside one of the many terminals.. Great Business Plan Avis.^

I've got lined up 5 free Fairmont Hotel nights out of the 11 we're staying around SoCal..

Stayed in HIX 4 free nights in HOU using Priority Club Points Breaks.. this past spring break.. got a suite category too complimentary.. So HIX has been tried by our family..

Many, though not all, off-airport locations (often franchises, I think) of various rental car companies (not just Avis) will pick you up within a certain range (e.g., 5 miles), but normally NOT from an airport (violates the company's agreement with the airport rental facility). The rental conmpany vans that regularly go by the terminals are for the airport rental facilities. So if you want to use that off-airport rental facility, you'll likely need to take a taxi or at least first go to an off-airport location. Call the rental facility to confirm their rules. Google Maps shows the distance from the airport to the rental place as just under 3 miles. http://la.taxiwiz.com/?lang=en estimates the taxi fare at $12.86, including the airport surcharge. I doubt you'd fit a family and 11 pieces of luggage in a regular taxi, so you may have to use one of the larger vehicles (e.g., station wagon) or use two taxis or you could go get the car and then pick up your family and bags back at the airport.

I've used off-airport rentals at times; sometimes they save you money and sometimes they don't. Some have limitations on one-way rentals and even locations to which you can go (in terms of states). And once I had an off-airport franchise of Budget insist I go to a car wash or pay them $25 to clean the car since if the car were dirty it violated the terms of bringing the car back in its original condition (pure b.s., but I didn't have time to dispute it).

Off-airport rental facilities are normally much smaller than those at the airport, and will have a smaller selection of vehicles, but if you can live with that, they can work out well. You are, of course, likely not guaranteed a particular make or model of vehicle (usually says "or equivalent"), so you may or may not get a Caravan, but that also applies to on-airport locations.

Just for future reference: I've used discount codes from AARP and several airline frequent flyer programs (never been asked to produce proof of membership in a ff program, but was once asked to show my AARP card). One friend said he got a super rate for a San Jose-San Diego rental by using Southwest Airlines's car rental feature. And both Priceline and Hotwire have car rental features. On Priceline you can even bid.

Given the amount of luggage you have, I would call PrimeTime Shuttle and see if they will give you some kind of deal just to run all of you and the luggage over to the rental place. They have vans just sitting in a holding lot at LAX waiting for passengers. My guess is that they would be happy for the business and the van would have plenty of room for the luggage. They are at http://primetimeshuttle.com or 1-800-RED-VANS

Thanks for the heads up guys..

Talking to my wife.. she's considering getting off of the .. I really want my minivan.. scenario..

We have early flight out when we leave SoCal.. calling a cab 4 am in the morning to get a ride to the airport, even if I drop them off at the airport first.. just doesn't sound right with a young family.. even if I end up saving mucho denaro..

Any ideas of family of 4 with 11 pieces of luggage.. rental vehicles out of LAX?

You're still going to have the huge hassle of moving that many people and baggage via the "on-airport" [sic] rental van -- which will also likely be very crowded.

I don't get why you're insisting on an "on-airport" rental when there really is no such thing at LAX. Spring $20 for a mini-van taxi (or use the excellent Shuttle idea above) and go in much more comfort to a rental facility that's not that much more distant than the one the on-airport [sic] crowded van would take you to.

Turn the car in the night before and get the cab or hotel shuttle to the airport upon departure.

So much less hassle istm.

If you're insistent, I've often found that renting the car from an off-airport franchise and returning it to the on-airport one doesn't cost any extra -- and that way you can schlep your family and luggage from the car rental facility, onto the van, and to the terminal. Why is that somehow more "right" than calling a cab?

You're still going to have the huge hassle of moving that many people and baggage via the "on-airport" [sic] rental van -- which will also likely be very crowded.

I don't get why you're insisting on an "on-airport" rental when there really is no such thing at LAX. Spring $20 for a mini-van taxi (or use the excellent Shuttle idea above) and go in much more comfort to a rental facility that's not that much more distant than the one the on-airport [sic] crowded van would take you to.

Turn the car in the night before and get the cab or hotel shuttle to the airport upon departure.

So much less hassle istm.

If you're insistent, I've often found that renting the car from an off-airport franchise and returning it to the on-airport one doesn't cost any extra -- and that way you can schlep your family and luggage from the car rental facility, onto the van, and to the terminal. Why is that somehow more "right" than calling a cab?

Definitely thinking long and hard about it..

We'll be returning 4 am in the morning.. So that's the barrier I'm coming up against..

$600 for the van rental.. if that gets us into a good deal at LAX.. and then my wife left it at that..

I mentioned I can go get the rental vehicle and pick them up at the terminal.. and drop them off at the terminal, return the vehicle and get a cab back..

Not use to riding in cabs.. but definitely open to the idea..

Definitely thinking long and hard about it..

We'll be returning 4 am in the morning.. So that's the barrier I'm coming up against....Only the on-airport location is open 24 hours at LAX. All the off-airport locations are considered to be "neighbourhood" and have daytime only hours (typically 7am to 6pm at best). So you'll have to return the day before, by closing time, or rent on-airport (and pay an extra $500 or so for the rental). The Avis Manchester location suggested has hours as I described http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/details.ac?LOCATIONCODE=Q9L

Presumably your reservation with them reflects those hours :)
If you really need a car until 4am, you could do a 2nd rental, returning the previous day at any location, and 2nd rental for 1 day dropping at LAX. Will cost maybe $100 more but gives you that capability. Taxi would be cheaper, most likely.

Sounds like your options are a) rent off-airport and return on-airport (check with the rental company to see if you can); b) rent on-airport. Not sure if there's a minimum charge for renting an entire shuttle van. While they may be glad for the business, sometimes options are built-in and getting a cheap price for a short haul may not be one of them. Worth a shot.

Only the on-airport location is open 24 hours at LAX. All the off-airport locations are considered to be "neighbourhood" and have daytime only hours (typically 7am to 6pm at best).

While, of course, very true, most of the Avis "neighborhood locations" do allow un-attended drop-offs; this one says to call (which in my experience means that they will allow it but will put you on notice that rental period doesn't actually end until they check the car in). So, it's possible that the OP could indeed return there.

But I'm still not understand the op's aversion to cabs. Given the massive savings involved (not to mention the convenience!) even paying for 3 or 4 $20 cab rides would be well worth it.

How much do you think you can end up saving from all this shuffling to off-airport rentals? If it's only $100, it may not be worth the hassle. If it were me alone with a backpack, sure. Family of 4 with 11 pieces of luggage? Maybe you're better off making your trip easier for the whole family.

Per the op's cost of an "on-airport" rental, the cost difference is $5-700.

And re "shuffling," given that the on-airport rental places aren't on-airport and involve a van/bus ride, "shuffling" is inevitable. Particularly given the op's load of people and their stuff, having a cab help shuffle and take door-to-door would be very helpful.

If the car rentals were a walk across the street, it might be different, but I continue to think the best plan might be a) take family and luggage via cab to the Avis off-airport outlet; b) the night before the flight, take family to hotel and check-in, c) take care back to LAX (assuming no drop-charge), d) take Avis van back to airport (or to hotel - I know that Hertz has a shuttle both to the airport and to the near-airport hotels), e) take hotel shuttle back to hotel, f) have cab take family and stuff to airport on day of departure.

Another option is, take cab to/from airport and hotel. Only OP goes to rent and drop off car.

Move luggage and kids as little as possible.

Good point.

This was my plan back when my kids were 7 and 2; two decades ago.

Arrive, check into airport with complimentary shuttle. Relax after flying.

Day two am: Ma and kids sleep in or relax with morning cartoons/comp breakfast. Pa go pick up minivan rental at off airport site nearby, come back and load up the minivan.

"On the Road Again"

Day before departure: Check into same hotel, go return minivan.
Morning of departure: Shuttle to airport.

Back then the minivan rentals were doubled at an airport location with limited milages.

Definitely: "Move luggage and kids as little as possible." +100000

IMHO your wife's concern is your getting van while leaving her to deal with watching 11 pieces of luggage and two young children. It will put her at ease if that is done in the safety and confine of a hotel room instead of at the airport or curbside.

I'll check into shuttles and cabs to the hotel from the Airport..

July 27th we are at Fairmont Newport Beach.. August 7th Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows..

Any neighborhood car rental places around there?

And take a cab to the airport 4 or 5 am in the morning?

Strategies?

I'm for saving $$$, don't get me wrong.. but 4 or 5 am in the morning doing cab shuffling from off site neighborhood may not be the strongest strategy.. We have enough trouble trying to keep organized our luggage and having both kids hanging onto us.. Especially after Disneyland.:eek:

.. I have my 5 year old son, 1 year old son, and probably 11 pieces of luggages, car seats etc.

..

Not to drift OT but assuming two kids sharing a small suitcase, what on earth do you pack to have 10 pieces of luggage between you and your spouse (especially for summer in california)??? :eek:

And take a cab to the airport 4 or 5 am in the morning?


It's not a problem. I've done it several times. Just make sure you call early enough because they may take longer to get to you.

Any neighborhood car rental places around there?

Both the Avis and Hertz websites allow you to search by address....

And take a cab to the airport 4 or 5 am in the morning?

Strategies?

?? Get number of cab company. Call it. ;)

Not to drift OT but assuming two kids sharing a small suitcase, what on earth do you pack to have 10 pieces of luggage between you and your spouse (especially for summer in california)??? :eek:

I had the same thought. We'll presume there's one car seat and one stroller? One suitcase per person still totals six pieces of luggage. (I have made a move across an ocean with 2 suitcases per person which had enough clothes in them to get us by for six weeks until the moving container arrived)

Not to drift OT but assuming two kids sharing a small suitcase, what on earth do you pack to have 10 pieces of luggage between you and your spouse (especially for summer in california)??? :eek:

My wife is a bit of a pack rat.. so we've got the following (based on our MCO Christmas Break Trip 3 weeks, and Spring Break 3 1/2 weeks this year)..

3 checked suit cases
1 car seat checked
1 car seat carry on
3 small carry ons
1 Diaper Bag
1 Purse
1 Stroller
Edit: One Computer Bag with Laptop


It's not a problem. I've done it several times. Just make sure you call early enough because they may take longer to get to you.

Thanks.. with 11 pieces of luggage, wife and 2 kids?.. or close?


Both the Avis and Hertz websites allow you to search by address....



?? Get number of cab company. Call it. ;)



I had the same thought. We'll presume there's one car seat and one stroller? One suitcase per person still totals six pieces of luggage. (I have made a move across an ocean with 2 suitcases per person which had enough clothes in them to get us by for six weeks until the moving container arrived)

Lol! Call it..

3 checked suit cases
1 car seat checked
1 car seat carry on
3 small carry ons
1 Diaper Bag
1 Purse
1 Stroller
Edit: One computer bag with laptop

Thanks.. with 11 pieces of luggage, wife and 2 kids?.. or close?


Oh. No... I meant I've called cabs before for pickups around 4am. Call ahead of time because there aren't many cabs roaming around the streets at that hour and it may take a while for them to dispatch one to you, but I suppose traffic will be lighter.

I don't have 11 pieces of luggage. I travel light. :)

I'd check that you *can not* return your off-airport rental at the airport location. Most of the major car rental firms in LA w/ both airport and neighborhood locations allow drop-offs at LAX or BUR (where most cars are needed) for the same price as returning it at the neighborhood rental location. I know that most of the neighborhood locations exchange cars w/ the airport locations if they are lacking some particular size or specialty vehicle for local rentals. I also know that I've occasionally used the neighborhood rentals as an alternative to public transit or shared vans....and dropped at the airport w/ no drop-off fee.

...to August 7th returning around noon..

We'll be returning 4 am in the morning..

So which is it? I'm confused.

Another option is, take cab to/from airport and hotel. Only OP goes to rent and drop off car.

Move luggage and kids as little as possible.

This remains the best idea, imo.

I'd check that you *can not* return your off-airport rental at the airport location. Most of the major car rental firms in LA w/ both airport and neighborhood locations allow drop-offs at LAX or BUR (where most cars are needed) for the same price as returning it at the neighborhood rental location.

In one of the quirks of the Avis system, there are no minivans available for a one way trip picking up at the Manchester location and dropping at LAX. (There are minivans available if picking up/dropping off at Manchester). However, there are standard SUVs available for $687 for picking up at Manchester, dropping at LAX.

So which is it? I'm confused..

Sorry.. I guess when I checked my itinerary it was indeed 4 am on an offsite drop off to give enough time to get to the airport for a 7 am flight to YYC



In one of the quirks of the Avis system, there are no minivans available for a one way trip picking up at the Manchester location and dropping at LAX. (There are minivans available if picking up/dropping off at Manchester). However, there are standard SUVs available for $687 for picking up at Manchester, dropping at LAX.

Quickly checking a couple days ago.. some decent rates at LAX on the code you provided.^

The main difference is Airport taxes and fees.

Haven't had time to check with the Mrs.. with the route she wants to go.. she was humming and hawing.. just closed a Commercial Property purchase at work.. lots of due diligence, back and forth with agents, mortgage lender, etc.. will get my head out of the paper work to dig further and clarify with the rental..

Thanks for all of the feedback thus far.. considering the different angles. This would be the first time we've done an offsite rental.. and we vacation two or three times a year for the past 8 years as a family.. and prior when I was single, I rented modestly always from an airport..

Grabbing a cab would be a good idea too.. going to and from the hotel..

The only thing is 5 year old and 1 year old.. its probably legislated to have car seats in California.. almost certain..

So its the process of installing, removing.. two car seats and packing in 12 pieces of luggage into the back of a cab.. and I'm certain the 12 pieces won't fit into a trunk.. so for sure a minivan cab..

So does the cab run up time while we install, and deinstall car seats and loading and unloading luggage.. It usually takes me about 15 minutes to pack everything including seating, and deinstalling and unloading would take another 15 minutes..

Ancien Maestro, I hate to see you and your family inconvenienced and have to pay more for your rental than you need to. I took the liberty of checking rates on your rental with AutoSlash. I found that we should be able to get your rate under $700 for your preferred dates/times for a minivan at LAX.

Go ahead and book with AutoSlash at the regular rate (which is quite a bit higher). As per our standard procedure, within 24 hours we'll work to apply coupons and/or discount codes to your rental, and we'll automatically lower your rate. You can change or cancel at any time, so not much downside to going with this approach.

Hope this helps!

Ancien Maestro, I hate to see you and your family inconvenienced and have to pay more for your rental than you need to. I took the liberty of checking rates on your rental with AutoSlash. I found that we should be able to a rate of under $700 for your preferred dates/times for a minivan at LAX.

Go ahead and book with AutoSlash at the regular rate (which is quite a bit higher). As per our standard procedure, within 24 hours we'll work to apply coupons and/or discount codes to your rental, and we'll automatically lower your rate. You can change or cancel at any time, so not much downside to going with this approach.

Hope this helps!

Thanks a Million..

Good reference and referral for you if this works..

So I'll book with a preferred rental vehicle company.. and you'll look after it?

So should I PM you with the information once I book?

Thanks again.. keeping my fingers that this'll work..

Thanks a Million..

Good reference and referral for you if this works..

So I'll book with a preferred rental vehicle company.. and you'll look after it?

So should I PM you with the information once I book?

Thanks again.. keeping my fingers that this'll work..

Happy to help. No need to PM me as what we're doing for you is the same as we'd do for anyone. Our standard practice is to drop our client's rates as low as possible. I just did some pre-checking in terms of what sort of discounts should be available for your rental.

If for some reason you don't see the rate drop as expected within 24 hours, then please do PM me your AutoSlash Trip ID and I'll follow-up.

Completed the reservation.. I chose Hertz.. but at this point it doesn't matter

I've PMed AutoSlash with the reservation # and information..

Thanks for the helping hand:)

Happy to help. No need to PM me as what we're doing for you is the same as we'd do for anyone. Our standard practice is to drop our client's rates as low as possible. I just did some pre-checking in terms of what sort of discounts should be available for your rental.

If for some reason you don't see the rate drop as expected within 24 hours, then please do PM me your AutoSlash Trip ID and I'll follow-up.

Glad to know that your service is available..

Will be doing the same for our Trip to Hawaii next year.. run it through you guys.. and see what will happen..

The LAX rental I booked is over 2K :eek::)

I assume that I just logon to AutoSlash and plunk the Trip ID # in to see how the rates are doing..

Always learning something on FlyerTalk.. I greatly appreciate this community!:cool:

I just want to thank Auto Slash..

Got a van rental pretty much the same price as the Avis off site rental.. directly on LAX^

This will make a world of difference travelling with my family..

So yes, the van rental worked out to be $681.07 approximately @ LAX..

Thanks Auto Slash.. I'll use you again for my upcoming Spring Break 2012 Hawaii Trip.. We're thinking of visiting three islands on that hop.. so will definitely need the assistance and service that AutoSlash provides.^

I just want to thank Auto Slash..

Got a van rental pretty much the same price as the Avis off site rental.. directly on LAX^

This will make a world of difference travelling with my family..

So yes, the van rental worked out to be $681.07 approximately @ LAX..

Thanks Auto Slash.. I'll use you again for my upcoming Spring Break 2012 Hawaii Trip.. We're thinking of visiting three islands on that hop.. so will definitely need the assistance and service that AutoSlash provides.^

Our pleasure Ancien Maestro. I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip. Happy to make things a bit easier on you.

I also want to point out that the cool thing about using AutoSlash is that if rates on your rental drop, we'll automatically re-book you at the lower rate. That's pretty unlikely given that the regular rate on your rental is over $2K right now, but I guess anything is possible. :)

I just want to thank Auto Slash..

Got a van rental pretty much the same price as the Avis off site rental.. directly on LAX^

Good for you :)

But once again, there is really no "on" here. The ride to the "on" [sic] airport facility is about the same distance as the "off" airport facility.

Good for you :)

But once again, there is really no "on" here. The ride to the "on" [sic] airport facility is about the same distance as the "off" airport facility.

Thanks.. We've done LAX years ago and did the shuttle..

The main thing is getting everyone and everything to the rental place.. and the drop off on the main departure..

I'm definitely open to off airport facilities.. so shall consider lengthening stays.. i.e. HIX Shuttle, staying at hotel, walking to car rental place..

That option makes alot of sense even with a family.. Just the early morning dropoff convenience.. I can drop family at the terminal.. return vehicle and ride the shuttle back.. a great way of going about it..

Take a cab to the Avis off-airport at 5560 W. Manchester (Avis location QL9)

Reserve online using AWD A0748000

Total for a Dodge Caravan Minivan $608.21

Just saved over $100 (without even using the code, I have one) by doing this.

And I am dropping it off at the airport the night we leave, no problems.

THANKS!

You're welcome :)

Our pleasure Ancien Maestro. I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip. Happy to make things a bit easier on you.

I also want to point out that the cool thing about using AutoSlash is that if rates on your rental drop, we'll automatically re-book you at the lower rate. That's pretty unlikely given that the regular rate on your rental is over $2K right now, but I guess anything is possible. :)

Great Process: AutoSlash.

Booked Hertz and already this morning it's 95 dollars cheaper. Now it's on Par with what I have with National.

Going to wait and see who wins out!

Thanks Autoslash for the opportunity! :)

Great Process: AutoSlash.

Booked Hertz and already this morning it's 95 dollars cheaper. Now it's on Par with what I have with National.

Going to wait and see who wins out!

Thanks Autoslash for the opportunity! :)

Cool!:)

Generally Hertz is overpriced compared to other car companies.. but for them to be involved with AutoSalsh means that they are able to retain their share of the business by offering low rates..

Curious.. What category vehicle did you book?..

Plus.. a bonus if you have Amex Platinum with Hertz Gold #1 membership

Cool!:)

Generally Hertz is overpriced compared to other car companies.. but for them to be involved with AutoSalsh means that they are able to retain their share of the business by offering low rates..

Curious.. What category vehicle did you book?..

Plus.. a bonus if you have Amex Platinum with Hertz Gold #1 membership

Intermediate SUV.

Yes I generally Drive Hertz (Fed Govt Worker here in Canada so we get Free Hertz Gold #1 Membership, and Aeroplan Points and Govt Rates) but I do find them more $$ even with Discounts.

Autoslash was able to beat Nationals Rate by 20 bucks by lowering Hertz by 95 or so.

so now I gotta wonder which is better service (i.e. In/Out the fastest with least hassle, considering I'll have two kids in tow!)

Intermediate SUV.

Yes I generally Drive Hertz (Fed Govt Worker here in Canada so we get Free Hertz Gold #1 Membership, and Aeroplan Points and Govt Rates) but I do find them more $$ even with Discounts.

Autoslash was able to beat Nationals Rate by 20 bucks by lowering Hertz by 95 or so.

so now I gotta wonder which is better service (i.e. In/Out the fastest with least hassle, considering I'll have two kids in tow!)

I think Hertz has better quality vehicles?

With Hertz Gold #1.. you're on the board and the vehicle will be ready..

Generally if you're getting the best price with Hertz.. it will be a no brainer..

With our having two kids.. we like the minivan to pile the luggage in no problem..

I think Hertz has better quality vehicles?

With Hertz Gold #1.. you're on the board and the vehicle will be ready..

Generally if you're getting the best price with Hertz.. it will be a no brainer..

With our having two kids.. we like the minivan to pile the luggage in no problem..

JUST got another email from Autoslash...another 100 bucks off!!

So that's 190 dollars off in two days. At this rate they'll be giving ME money ;)

JUST got another email from Autoslash...another 100 bucks off!!

So that's 190 dollars off in two days. At this rate they'll be giving ME money ;)

Like the Energizer Bunny..

It keeps on going and going and going..

Until you pick up your rental..:cool:

Ancien Maestro, I hate to see you and your family inconvenienced and have to pay more for your rental than you need to. I took the liberty of checking rates on your rental with AutoSlash. I found that we should be able to get your rate under $700 for your preferred dates/times for a minivan at LAX.

Go ahead and book with AutoSlash at the regular rate (which is quite a bit higher). As per our standard procedure, within 24 hours we'll work to apply coupons and/or discount codes to your rental, and we'll automatically lower your rate. You can change or cancel at any time, so not much downside to going with this approach.

Hope this helps!

Booked through Autoslash today for a rental at SFO. Had previously booked at $608 for 10 days. Initial Autoslash rate was $587, so minor savings.

Received email this evening dropping the rate by $109.

I am now a believer!

Thanks!!

Am I the only one that thinks " 11 pieces of luggage" for 4 people, even with 2 under ten years old, is a tad excessive?

It's summer in So Cal my man, time to downsize. ;)


HP

Am I the only one that thinks " 11 pieces of luggage" for 4 people, even with 2 under ten years old, is a tad excessive?

It's summer in So Cal my man, time to downsize. ;)


HP

YUP! That's crazy!

We're a family of four, with a 1 year old and a 6 year old, currently on a two week Southern California Trip. We have in total:
-2 Pieces of Max Luggage
-1 Booster Seat
-1 Car Seat
-1 Stroller

and that is it. Full change of clothes for almost all of our days, diapers, snacks, beach towels, toys. We are efficient.

What you describe = amateur Travelers and those drive me nuts!!

Am I the only one that thinks " 11 pieces of luggage" for 4 people, even with 2 under ten years old, is a tad excessive?

It's summer in So Cal my man, time to downsize. ;)


HP

YUP! That's crazy!

We're a family of four, with a 1 year old and a 6 year old, currently on a two week Southern California Trip. We have in total:
-2 Pieces of Max Luggage
-1 Booster Seat
-1 Car Seat
-1 Stroller

and that is it. Full change of clothes for almost all of our days, diapers, snacks, beach towels, toys. We are efficient.

What you describe = amateur Travelers and those drive me nuts!!

I agree with you both.. but try telling this to my wife.. and for that matter, my brother's wife..

Two words.. pack rats.. bring everything and use hardly nothing..

If it was me travelling alone.. I would buy suitcases at the destination and bring back the max allowable export items..

Wives.. gotta love em.. or I guess no choice but to leave em..:rolleyes::cool:

I just came back from a trip to Hawaii. On the Alamo rental shuttle bus, there were tons of people with multiple heavy suitcases. And the poor lady bus driver had to carry them on and off the bus. I still don't understand how people can travel with so much stuff, especially when going to Hawaii where the weather is hot and you don't really need much clothing, not heavy ones anyway. One family of four, parents and two kids about six to eight, had seven large suitcases!!!

I agree with you both.. but try telling this to my wife.. and for that matter, my brother's wife..

Two words.. pack rats.. bring everything and use hardly nothing..

If it was me travelling alone.. I would buy suitcases at the destination and bring back the max allowable export items..

Wives.. gotta love em.. or I guess no choice but to leave em..:rolleyes::cool:

Just got back home this evening...even with 2 suitcases, 1 stroller, car seat/booster seat and a new roller carry on (22" Tumi!! hehe) I was exhausted....

How people take so much luggage just baffles me.

Just got back home this evening...even with 2 suitcases, 1 stroller, car seat/booster seat and a new roller carry on (22" Tumi!! hehe) I was exhausted....

How people take so much luggage just baffles me.

Its going to be a ring a ding dong dandy..

Flying out in the morning.. and the usual.. pull the all nighter.. and shove everything into the 3 check in luggages last second..

2 car seats.. diaper bag, purse, computer bag, and 3 suit case carry ons..

Looking forward to the Riviera Maya.. especially with this YYC rainy weather we've been having.. then over to LAX where I'll be reporting back on the AutoSlash minivan rental.

Its going to be a ring a ding dong dandy..

Flying out in the morning.. and the usual.. pull the all nighter.. and shove everything into the 3 check in luggages last second..

2 car seats.. diaper bag, purse, computer bag, and 3 suit case carry ons..

Looking forward to the Riviera Maya.. especially with this YYC rainy weather we've been having.. then over to LAX where I'll be reporting back on the AutoSlash minivan rental.

have Fun!