Using Car Rental Coupons
 

There was a recent discussion on the usefullness of the free car rental coupons sent along with some travel awards. It was pointed out that several of the companies allow you to combine coupons for free days.

If the are combined for say one free day and you rent for three days - can this all be accomplished at time of rental? They don't require that you return and start a new rental agreement do they?

In particular, I have a weekend trip coming up in Sept to Florida. I arrive on a Friday, depart on Sunday. I have two UA coupons. Any suggestions on best use of the coupons?

I get flooded with the things but combine them with Avis usually so that I get 3 days at the weekend and only pay tax and insurance. This way they make real sense especially as I use them in NYC.

Other places though it can work out cheaper to take the weekend break - the back lists the companies you can combine them on, give them a call and see how the standard rate compares with the 'specials'!

Chances are, you'll find a cheaper weekend deal than if you pay one or two days' regular rate and get one free day with the certs (plus that way you'll get some miles for the rental), but you should check with all of the rental cos. to be sure. If you're not running up against an expiration date, maybe you should hold on to the certs until you only need a one day rental or have claimed a couple more awards and have some more certs. If you do combine them, you tell the rental co when you make the reservation and generally just turn them in when you pick up the car.

I find it amazing that using a 50% off certificate requires you to pay tax on the savings. Is there any other business that offers you a coupon and then taxes you to death when using it?

I just used 3 * 1/2 free day coupons and because I used the coupons, the rate was increased, such that I ended up paying $45 for the two day rental out-of-pocket for a mid-size car (1/2 day + taxes).

I probably could have paid a discounted $35 a day for the car had I not used the certs ($35+35+15 tax=$85), so each certificate is probably only worth $10-15 because you have to pay taxes on the much higher rate.

Back to Larrude's original question, no - you don't have to return the car at the end of the free period and re-rent for the paid portion. However, Tino's experience shows that returning it may work out cheaper: take the free days (and a mid-size), then return the car and get a cheaper rate, especially if you go with a smaller car.

I've used the similar approach when renting for, say, 10 days - a week plus a weekend. If I go with a single rate, I'll get the weekly rate plus three single daily rates. By returning it after a week and picking up a "new" car at a cheaper weekend rate. Often I suggest that they give me the same vehicle - they save on cleaning/washing and I don't have to move my luggage!

>Is there any other business that offers you
>a coupon and then taxes you to death when
>using it?

Not entirely comparable, but cell phone companies which offer free phones when you sign up for their calling plans usually have in their fine print that you will have to pay sales tax on the hypothetical MSRP for the phone. (Hypothetical since I don't think very many people ever buy their phones at retail....)