California - SNA > SAN or LAX -- is there premium for car rental pickup/return to diff loc?

Hi, I know in general there is a premium to pick up a car in one place and return it to another.

Does this hold true for close-together airports, like in SoCal? I'm trying to price different flight itineraries and the cheapest so far seems to be fly into SNA, then fly out of LAX or SAN.

Is there a car rental company that is more reasonable for these type of situations, or do I just need to let my fingers do the walking & compare?
:p
Tx.

Most car companies know that travelers who actually need to one-way rental cars are at their mercy. They price accordingly.

SAN is an awfully far way to drive a rental car for the sake of saving a few bucks on your flight (unless you're going to be around those parts...) Have you looked at LGB, BUR, and ONT as well? It may make sense to return the car to SNA and then get a shuttle of some sort to one of the other airports. (Even that will quickly eat into whatever cost savings this itinerary is offering you.)

Thanks for the ideas on alternate airports. Our primary destination is Legoland in Carlsbad, and I am trying to redeem miles on either Frontier or United/CO through Houston. I agree it's a long drive just to return a car, but we're still working out our itinerary and it might be advantage to have an "open jaw" kind of destination, depending on where we want to go.

I was just wondering about the car rental money aspect part of this.

It's hard to suggest/recommend without specific dates/time, so it's best to input & do a bit of price check directly with major car rental co's website.

Having said that, we've done 2 recent OW rentals out of SNA, flying in using miles and it's pure luck - knowing what you are willing to trade. HZ gave us great deals both times and still looking like the best (read not "lowest" or bargain) options - Dollar/Thrifty does NOT offer the option, OW out of LAX has a $250 surcharge (ouch) for out-of-town dropoff. Both Avis & Budget costing more than HZ on same set of dates (mid-week) at around $285+ for 2 days, mid-size UNL miles.

For HZ, pickup SNA and LAX is about $205 all inclusive, taxes, fees, etc. for 2 days. LAX pickup & SNA return is about $185, and, LAX for both pickup & return at $160 (add'l discount possible with corporate codes) - mid-size, UNL miles.

We advance booked (30+ days out) for a compact/mid-size upgradeable and upon arrival at SNA's, got a brand smelling new Mazda 5 to dropoff at LAS a week later - under 000,050 miles on the digital odometer. Our 2nd. OW from SNA to LAX dropoff 6 days later was cheap, around $200 when discounts & codes're applied.

Happy shopping & keep checking their sites to see if there's a new/lower rate or promotion, and have a confirmed (non-prepaid/advanced purchase) booking that can be cancelled up to the last minute will help secure that peace of mind. ;)

P.S. Hotwire & priceline probably not of much help here, but it won't hurt to check & look for possible tips on betterbidding . com under California/LAX.

Thanks for the ideas on alternate airports. Our primary destination is Legoland in Carlsbad, and I am trying to redeem miles on either Frontier or United/CO through Houston. I agree it's a long drive just to return a car, but we're still working out our itinerary and it might be advantage to have an "open jaw" kind of destination, depending on where we want to go.

I was just wondering about the car rental money aspect part of this.

If your primary destination is Legoland and you're flying on UA, why not see about flying into CLD (Carlsbad). Avis and I think Hertz has an office there. And it's all of 10 minutes or less, depending on traffic, to Legoland.

Agree.

Great little airport.

Try this AWD with Avis. It usually nets me ~$36/day and usually no one-way fee: A074800