Las Vegas - Best Car rental at LAS?

What LAS car rental place tends to have the best deals?

5 of us flying in and out of LAS 26-mar thru 29-mar. Though we probably won't need a car, may not be a bad idea if we can get a really good rate. Afterall, in what we would spend in shuttle or cab to hotel it may even out or be pretty close.

I could cash in points or miles, but most of the offers are for weekend only or weekday only and our flight leaves late evening on the 29.

Thanks!

I'm up there every month or six weeks on average on business. I usually do a travelocity comparison, and end up with Dollar nearly every time. Do their "fastbreak" program--or whatever it's called--and skip the rental lines in the terminal. And, they always post my Southwest miles.

Avoid Payless--decent cars, but they demanded a thumbprint the one, only and last time I used them.

JP

I've had a poor experience with Dollar. I usually use Thrify, where I am a Blue Chip member for expedited rentals. I often rent an economy car. Thrifty doesn't really have economy cars, so you are free to select a car from the compact row (you choose your own car within an allotted category). They have some Korean cars that are really nice-- small and easy to drive, but fully loaded with features. Thrifty doesn't have the best reputation here on FlyerTalk. Avoid Alamo at all costs-- they are truly awful (long lines, rude service, poor location for their lot). National is in the same place as Alamo but has a different counter inside the building and isn't so bad with Emerald Aisle. Enterprise is a nightmare-- they eat up far too much time during pick-up and drop-off. Plus their employees always give me the hardsell on upgrades & insurance. I haven't used Hertz. I'm trying Avis for the first time next week. I wouldn't consider using the generic companies.

I searched at this link http://www.travelnow.com/index.jsp?pageName=carSearch&cid=504

When I rent I also check www.cheapovegas.com and the lower priced company's websites directly.


At travelnow.com I found Intermediate size cars for about 25.00 per day. The rates change based on availability - so if there are no large conventions that week prices will stay low. March is a large spring break time though so the rates could go up. What makes it expensive are the taxes. The earlier you rent the lower the rate usually.

Fox Rental: (Never heard of them but their compact is $17.00 per day)
Intermediate Lowest Daily Rate: $22.00(USD)
Mar 26, 2005 to Mar 29, 2005 Currency Displayed in USD

Dollar and Thrifty are both showing Intermediate cars for $24.99 per day.

Here are more rules with the quote:
Rental Information
These rates are for renters arriving by airplane who are 25 years of age or older and have a major credit card in their name to secure this rental. Changes in rental or return location, car type, date or times may change this rate.
Daily rates are quoted for a reservation period of 24 hours. You may be charged an hourly rate for each hour over the 24 hour limit, or you may be charged for an extra day.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to our reservation volume, the cars listed above may not necessarily be available for rental until you submit the reservation for processing.

I usually search Orbitz first, to get an idea of prices - I have always been able to beat them on the home page of the car co. which I choose - I use Thrifty a lot - at least in Vegas they let go you right to your car (a car of your choice) if you are a Blue Chip member - overdue, but welcome. They also credit you for days rented, awarding a free day (good for 8 mths from issuance) when you rent 16 days; actually, they often have double pts., so you could, perhaps, get a free day after as few as 8 rental days. I am traveling to Vegas during March, and using two free days - be forewarned, however - the "free" days apply to rental charges only, not all the fees and taxes. You must still pay those.

I also found a good rental with ACE, whom I have never used before.

I have been renting alot with Hertz & had very good experiences. I went to LAS for one day late last year & Thrifty had decent rates for a one day rental. (in 8AM out 8PM). I made the reservation w/Thrifty since they had the lowest rate. I kept checking & rebooked w/Thrifty for a lower rate.

Yes, the taxes are fairly high in LAS. I booked a mid size car for $16.99 minus 10% discount. My total bill was around $20 with taxes & discount. I chose a Chrysler Sebring 4 door. Not a bad car.

Bottom line: Book the reservation & keep checking for lower rates. :)

I've had a poor experience with Dollar. I usually use Thrify, where I am a Blue Chip member for expedited rentals. I often rent an economy car. Thrifty doesn't really have economy cars, so you are free to select a car from the compact row (you choose your own car within an allotted category). They have some Korean cars that are really nice-- small and easy to drive, but fully loaded with features. Thrifty doesn't have the best reputation here on FlyerTalk. Avoid Alamo at all costs-- they are truly awful (long lines, rude service, poor location for their lot). National is in the same place as Alamo but has a different counter inside the building and isn't so bad with Emerald Aisle. Enterprise is a nightmare-- they eat up far too much time during pick-up and drop-off. Plus their employees always give me the hardsell on upgrades & insurance. I haven't used Hertz. I'm trying Avis for the first time next week. I wouldn't consider using the generic companies.

TransWorldOne,

As a Blue Chip member do you completely skip the counter at LAS? If you have to go to the counter, is it located in the terminal or offsite?

might want to check with payless... my roommate found them to be cheapest ... then again, he said he'd never rent from them again... your mileage may vary

TransWorldOne,

As a Blue Chip member do you completely skip the counter at LAS? If you have to go to the counter, is it located in the terminal or offsite?

Thrifty Car is located off site; you catch the Thrifty shuttle bus to their location - in the past, you had to wait in the Blue Chip line (not the regular one), but when I travelled in December 2004 I was able to go right to my car, and they had my paperwork waiting when I got ready to go through the gate. Always tell the shuttle bus driver that you are a Blue Chip customer - he'll check his list and radio the location, if necessary - he'll guide you on what to do. I am going to Vegas again this week, and renting from Thrifty; I can tell you, when I return, if I was able to go straight to the car again.

I almost always use Dollar -- last time, around Xmas, National was the cheapest, only because I was able to use my corporate rate. It's a lot easier getting to the Dollar lot than the National one, however.

Thrifty Car is located off site; you catch the Thrifty shuttle bus to their location - in the past, you had to wait in the Blue Chip line (not the regular one), but when I travelled in December 2004 I was able to go right to my car, and they had my paperwork waiting when I got ready to go through the gate. Always tell the shuttle bus driver that you are a Blue Chip customer - he'll check his list and radio the location, if necessary - he'll guide you on what to do. I am going to Vegas again this week, and renting from Thrifty; I can tell you, when I return, if I was able to go straight to the car again.

Thanks, magicfish. For my trip in August I need arrive at my destination 1-1/2 hours after my plane is scheduled to land and I already know that baggage claim takes forever at LAS. I would appreciate hearing what your experience will be this week.

I almost always use Dollar -- last time, around Xmas, National was the cheapest, only because I was able to use my corporate rate. It's a lot easier getting to the Dollar lot than the National one, however.

National is a whole lot easier since they put up that billboard telling where to turn! I too find it the cheapest with my corporate rate. $27 for a full size on Super Bowl weekend and then they ran out so we got a premium.

I think you'll find, by checking the companies' websites, that prices change almost overnight. Case in point:

I have Dollar reserved for our April trip. 4 day intermediate rental using a discount code (and do a Google search on those - you can save $15 on your Dollar rental using code CTI for an intermediate or better), $102 including all taxes. Last week, I found Alamo, same car class, for $79.51, this time using a coupon from the American Casino Guide (a MUST book to buy if you're going to LAS), so I booked them. I'm still watching Dollar for the anticipated drop two weeks or so before my departure - if it shows, I'll rebook at the lower rate.

From all I've heard on LAS message boards, Fox would not be a good option. Fox is serviced by US Rent-A-Car in LV and has a bad reputation (poor customer service, hard sell on the CDWs, and junk cars are some of the complaints).

From all I've heard on LAS message boards, Fox would not be a good option. Fox is serviced by US Rent-A-Car in LV and has a bad reputation (poor customer service, hard sell on the CDWs, and junk cars are some of the complaints).

Thanks for the opinions of Fox/US. Or is your comment only about Fox? I have a cousin that swears by US - though he's happy with whatever small car they offer him. They do tend to have the best rates but saving 15 bucks a week and having the car break down would not be worth it.

Thanks for the opinions of Fox/US. Or is your comment only about Fox? I have a cousin that swears by US - though he's happy with whatever small car they offer him. They do tend to have the best rates but saving 15 bucks a week and having the car break down would not be worth it.

Let me rephrase that - the negatives I have heard about Fox pertain only to LAS, where US Rent-A-Car is their agent. I subscribe to multiple LV message boards, and I can say I've never read a complimentary review of US's services.

To me, the $15 savings wouldn't be worth taking a chance, but it could be that everything would work out perfectly. It's a gamble - but in Las Vegas, what isn't? :)

i am not brand-loyal when it comes to rental cars in LAS so whoever has the best deal on the internet generally gets my business.

what i have noticed at LAS is the airport and rental car counters by baggage claim are usually a zoo anytime day or night. since i hate to wait in long lines, i usually breeze by the counter to look for the little sign that says if you have a confirmation number you can take the shuttle over to the rental lot.

once you are there i have never found the lines to complete the rental transaction to be more than 2 or 3 people deep. good luck!