Originally Posted by emma69

I'm not sure what it is you do, but the order of some of those cities sucks - if you have the ability to change dates around I absolutely would (makes no sense to me to do Painesville and Cleaveland at different times, given they are just down the road from each other, for example).

If your employer is cost conscious, and it sounds from your posts like they are, then they should absolutely have you driving between these destinations, in the first third of your trip, the longest drive is about 5 hours - which, by the time you drive to the airport, drop off the rental car, check in (because you'd need to be there before the luggage cut off), go through security, fly (and it is a connecting flight, so increase that time) land, reclaim luggage, find rental location, drive to your next hotel, it shorter to drive, not to mention it would be a lot cheaper (and on that particular route, it is a small regional jet, so no first class in any case!) Between many of those city pairs there aren't flights, or flights that makes sense (hours sitting waiting for a connection). Add in the fact that I am guessing your extra luggage is essential for visit, the risk of it going astray on a conencting flight is just not worth it. Plus, pulling 3 pieces of checked luggage each between rental car drop off point and the baggage drop is, in itself, a PITA, much easier to have it in the car for the duration!

On the plus side, if you drive between destinations, it can absolutely work in your favour hotel wise, as you could potentially stop off at a town inbetween that does have your 'brand' of hotel' and then drive the remaining distance the next morning (or in some cases, stay put for a couple of night somewhere to take advantage of "stay 2 nights" offers, as some are only 30 mins apart).