Several years ago I switched from Budget to Hertz. Primarily due to lousy service at Budget. At the time the difference in daily rates was about $10, so for the better Hertz service I was willing to pay the price.

In the past year my Hertz daily rental charges started increasing, reaching $72 per day for a full size. For a recent weekly rental Hertz wanted $572, which sent me packing looking for alternatives. For the same rental Budget was under $300. And for my daily rentals? $38 per day.

I like good service, but am not willing to pay double for the privilege. At LAX I quickly discovered the Budget service had not gotten any better. I watched about 20 Hertz buses go by in the 20 minutes before Budget got there. Then I stepped out to get on the bus the surly driver began driving away with me standing in front of the door, claiming not to have seen me (after I flagged him down). I guess that's what I'll have to put up with, but at a 50% discount this is going to be my lot in life.