Saving $20 (or more/less) vs. Driving An Hour?
 

Hi all- For this weekend's trip, I'm flying SFO-PHL-BWI on US. I am staying in Fairfax, VA, about 1:15 away from BWI. IAD is only about 20 minutes away. Numberous people have assured me that as long as there is space (which there is), there will be no problem switching to IAD. My question is- Is it worth paying an extra $20 (give or take a few bucks for exra fees) for the car rental to cut the driving time? The return in any case will be from BWI. Thanks in advance for the help!

[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 12-11-2000).]

a330300,

I see you live in Fremont; so you know how bad traffic is on 880S all the way to San Jose, especially around the 237 interchange down in Milpitas, on a rainy Monday morning. Or maybe the Sunol grade (nuff said)

If you think that's traffic from hell, it ian't nothing compared to Baltimore-Washington-Alexandria triangle, as it maybe five times as worse as what you see in your backyard. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If your time is more valuable to you, $20 extra (is that per day?) could worth a million pain killers. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I don't know about the weekends (if that's when you'll be out there), but you don't want to take the chance. And try to change your return from IAD as well.

Good luck!
Jamester
Fellow Bay Area traffic hater

Hey Fellas,
I just moved to Anchorage from Sunnyvale. It's a tad bit cold here, but I assure you, the lack of traffic is a MOST welcome change!

(But there is NO In 'N Out Burger up here. Will one of you have a Double Double for me?)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif - levi

Although admittedly, as a 15 year old high school student, I have yet to face the perils of the Sunol Grade, McCarthy Car Ranch, or the I-880 corridor http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But I think watching Sal Casteneda or Darya Folsom/John Kessler commenting while eating breakfast is enough for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The $20 is per week ($190 vs. $210 for a Hertz full size w/NL)...pretty negligible. And thank god for AAA discounts!

I'm arriving at either around 5pm BWI/IAD or around 7pm (IAD with my preferred conx)...and leaving Christmas eve at around 540p (BWI) or 2pm (If I get my preferred flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif), besides, I'd like to visit the BWI observation deck/aviation museum....I hear it's very intriguing.

Levi- I've had my share of Double Double, Double Double (just had to do that http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif), and Original Glazed. If the current SFO visit pattern keeps up, the In-N-Out/Krispy Kreme in Sunnyvale should seriuosly consider VIP cards...perhaps elite perks as well http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 12-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 12-11-2000).]

eastwest, next time I fly up to Anchorage -- unfortunately, probably not any time soon -- just let me know how many double-doubles to bring for you!

Just curious, but isn't the underage driver fee for a 15 yr old quite exorbidant, even with AAA discount??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yes Mr. Ramirez-Kathipoornpong it quite is....although it's interesting how I could get a car without a license isn't it? (I'll let you in on a secret- A friend of mine who lives in Svalbard has connections to the rental offices http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) Oh well...I guess I could wait for the BART extension to DCA as an alternative couldn't I?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 12-11-2000).]

Are you an idiot? I hope you get ticketed for driving without a license! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Hmmm...driving a rental car, underage, with no insurance or license, through DC!?!?!?

That's bold. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

LOL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif B747 and I like to poke fun at each other http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif It's my mom who will be donig the driving.....



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Whew! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BTW there's always the train! Ask for directions and you shall receive! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hey a330300-dude,

Seems like you'll be arriving in DC right when people are rushing home. Definitely take the IAD option that arrives later in the day. Who knows, your Mom would give you plenty of brownie points for not having to deal with traffic that's ten times worse than do the Bay Area.

Maybe you won't have to clean your room for a month! Maybe she'll buy you ice cream! Or an In N' Out Douba Douba! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (sorry, it's lunch time here)

Jamester