Renting at airport vs downtown for president's circle
Jul 20, 2018, 6:18 pm
#1
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Renting at airport vs downtown for president's circle
I am planning a trip and I have just realized that I've always rented cars at the airport upon arrival. now i intend to fly into SFO and take the BART downtown and stay for a couple of days.
Then I'm going to rent a car drive the car for a week and drop it off at LAX.
Am I better off going back to SFO to get a car or should I get one downtown SF? I realize that airports are a bit more expensive plus I'll have the one-way fee in any case but i'm wondering if the PC choice would make it worthwhile.
are there any other large agencies in SF that would be comparable to SFO? What happens when you pick up at a hotel? I'm assuming that they don't really give you a choice of cars.
thanks for any insight that you can share.
Then I'm going to rent a car drive the car for a week and drop it off at LAX.
Am I better off going back to SFO to get a car or should I get one downtown SF? I realize that airports are a bit more expensive plus I'll have the one-way fee in any case but i'm wondering if the PC choice would make it worthwhile.
are there any other large agencies in SF that would be comparable to SFO? What happens when you pick up at a hotel? I'm assuming that they don't really give you a choice of cars.
thanks for any insight that you can share.
Last edited by BenSenise; Jul 27, 2018 at 1:22 pm Reason: edited for clarity
Jul 20, 2018, 8:06 pm
#2
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
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The short answer regarding price is that you never know. Sometimes the airport is cheaper due to competition even taking into account the higher airport fees, while other times it's more expensive. The best approach is to just check both.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
Jul 21, 2018, 5:34 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,550
You may well find that you can book a better car upfront for the same price once the airport surcharging is taken into account. I wouldn't spend money going off to the airport on the chance of a better car - especially at a US location where airport car rental locations seem to be anything but at the airport and require a bus ride to get to them
What is the price comparison for the rental between the 2 locations?
What is the price comparison for the rental between the 2 locations?
Jul 21, 2018, 6:13 am
#4
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
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This thread may be of help: Non-Airport Hertz Locations in San Francisco?
I have done both; I have taken BART to the city and used public transportation while there before taking BART (or an Uber) back to SFO to pick up a car and get better upgrades and I have also just rented in the city at the Mason St. HLE and taken what they gave me. As stated above, it's a real roulette game with possible upgrades when renting at a HLE.
Something to consider is the cost of parking a car overnight, which can be considerable it the city, along with the time/convenience of not having to go back to SFO to get a car. Hotel pickups/drop-offs are even more limited with inventory, plus there is often a valet fee to pay.
I have done both; I have taken BART to the city and used public transportation while there before taking BART (or an Uber) back to SFO to pick up a car and get better upgrades and I have also just rented in the city at the Mason St. HLE and taken what they gave me. As stated above, it's a real roulette game with possible upgrades when renting at a HLE.
Something to consider is the cost of parking a car overnight, which can be considerable it the city, along with the time/convenience of not having to go back to SFO to get a car. Hotel pickups/drop-offs are even more limited with inventory, plus there is often a valet fee to pay.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 21, 2018 at 10:59 am
Jul 21, 2018, 10:08 am
#5
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You may well find that you can book a better car upfront for the same price once the airport surcharging is taken into account. I wouldn't spend money going off to the airport on the chance of a better car - especially at a US location where airport car rental locations seem to be anything but at the airport and require a bus ride to get to them
What is the price comparison for the rental between the 2 locations?
What is the price comparison for the rental between the 2 locations?
This thread may be of help: Non-Airport Hertz Locations in San Francisco?
I have done both; I have taken BART to the city and used public transportation while there before taking BART (or an Uber) back to SFO to pick up a car and get better upgrades and I have also just rented in the city at the Mason St. HLE and taken what they gave me. As stated above, it's a real roulette game with and possible upgrades when renting at a HLE.
Something to consider is the cost of parking a car overnight, which can be considerable it the city, along with the time/convenience of not having to go back to SFO to get a car. Hotel pickups/drop-offs are even more limited with inventory, plus there is often a valet fee to pay.
I have done both; I have taken BART to the city and used public transportation while there before taking BART (or an Uber) back to SFO to pick up a car and get better upgrades and I have also just rented in the city at the Mason St. HLE and taken what they gave me. As stated above, it's a real roulette game with and possible upgrades when renting at a HLE.
Something to consider is the cost of parking a car overnight, which can be considerable it the city, along with the time/convenience of not having to go back to SFO to get a car. Hotel pickups/drop-offs are even more limited with inventory, plus there is often a valet fee to pay.
we won't be parking the car overnight in the city. we'll pick it up and hit the road.
The short answer regarding price is that you never know. Sometimes the airport is cheaper due to competition even taking into account the higher airport fees, while other times it's more expensive. The best approach is to just check both.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
thank you all for sharing your experience. this is really a great community.
Jul 21, 2018, 1:10 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 231
actually, now i'm having second thoughts about renting from hertz after having a look at your service. at first glance, it seems to come in at about half the price from another major player which is significant. PC or not, the savings would be hundreds of dollars.
thank you all for sharing your experience. this is really a great community.
thank you all for sharing your experience. this is really a great community.
Jul 21, 2018, 3:38 pm
#7
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i have found that prices for car rentals usually go down as the time approaches. i have often cancelled and rebooked once or twice to take advantage of that. i just reserve early for security.
Jul 21, 2018, 10:24 pm
#8
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The short answer regarding price is that you never know. Sometimes the airport is cheaper due to competition even taking into account the higher airport fees, while other times it's more expensive. The best approach is to just check both.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
As far as selection goes, usually the airport is far better in this regard, but it really depends on how you hit it. You have a much better chance of getting a nicer vehicle as a PC at the airport the majority of the time if you're playing the odds.
Jul 26, 2018, 4:17 pm
#9
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But even with a high tax burden, it's still checking rates both on and off the airport. Personally, I've rented a car at SEA for $12/day when rates downtown were $35/day. Even with a significantly higher tax rate at the airport, I was still money ahead, and the airport had a better selection of cars.
Can't say whether SFO airport vs. downtown has a similar potential rate disparity, but it's not an impossibility. Only way to know is to check both.
Jul 26, 2018, 4:54 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
SFO has quite high fees, particularly for short rentals. As I recall, the Air Train fee is around $15, but that's per rental, not per day...