sábado, 15 de enero de 2011

Forget about TSA grabbing you

it’s rental car agencies that are after you (Alamo).


First, rent through Hotwire. You don’t know what company or what exact car but if you don’t care about getting airlines miles, which are a crock anyway, then it’s the best way to go. However expect extra harsh treatment at the car check rental counter, I mean you walk away thinking you just did something so dumb and even wrong for not upgrading to a Camaro (for an extra charge of $80 for 4 days) and not buying the full tank of gas at 13 cents per gallon less than the current gas station price (didn’t ask but it probably would have been like $45, we spent $18 on gas for the whole trip), and for not getting their full collision insurance, $12 per day.

I got a mid-size car which on Hotwire said would be an Altima size car or equivalent. So I was thinking Camry sedan size… wrong, that’s standard which on Hotwire would have been another $2 a day, which if you have more than two people you will need. Alamo had a Ford Focus and a Dodge Charger in this category available to pick. We went with the Dodge Charger which was horrible, but that’s another blog.

The lady at the Alamo counter was evil, but good, very good at her job. Started with small talk: --Where are you headed? --Bentley Village. --Sounds swanky. --It’s a retirement community. –Oh. She snickers. (All part of it). –Ok, so right now I’ve got you in a Chevy Cobalt mid-size class, no power windows, no power locks, no CD player, no sex (lie, lie, lie, she didn’t really say the no sex thing), but I you could upgrade for a small amount more to something a little sexier, er, sportier like a Camaro. –No thanks. Are you sure it wouldn’t be much more a day? –I’m fine, thanks. –It would be $80 more for the whole week. –I’m fine. –Ok what insurance will you be buying? She hands me laminated sheet. –I’d recommend the minimum here, 11.95 a day. –Do I have to buy insurance, I think I’m insured. –Are you sure that’s an extra premium on you regular car insurance, are you sure? It’s a pretty dangerous area you’re going to… --I think I’ll be fine thank you. –Are you sure? --Yes, I’ll be fine. –Ok, but you’re driving that car off the lot with nothing, no protection. –I’ll be fine, thanks. –OK. She sighs shaking her head.

It was the same story with the gas tank. Next time I’ll just bring a recording with me saying no on loop which I’ll turn off when she gives me my credit card back without running it.

Bottom line: Hotwire is good, $23 a day for midsize car at SW Florida Airport. Alamo, and probably everyone else, is the devil, but just be strong and remember your smart and not about to do anything heinous when you disappoint the evil lady behind the counter by saying no thank 50 times. In fact you’re smarter than most.