For a weekend trip to Seattle from boise we found what seemed to be a great last minute way to save money getting there.
To fly for three people it was over one thousand + a rental car once we were there so that was out immediately plus we enjoy our time in the car. We probably have more quality conversations on a road trip weekend than any others. So we decided to drive.
To drive the grand cherokee or aviator we would have gotten 15 to 17 mpg for 1200 miles for 75 gallons of gas. At 3$ each it is 225$. plus wear and tear on our personal car. We needed a suv to be comfortable in and bring back our puppy. When we call avis the cost is between 60 to 90$ a day for an suv with about 25 mpg. 2 days would be $150 plus 45 gallons of gas (135$) so it would be 285$. Or 60$ in order to avoid the wear and tear on the car. The drive would have required new brakes on the aviator and the jeep grand cherokee gets a bit worse gas mileage so 60$ seems almost like a wash.
Here is where we get creative with avis. We have rented from avis in other cities with an Avis preferred (free) account. And when you get to the city they allow you to change the car at the last minute to any car in the "preferred lot" IF you rented a full sized car or above. Since they almost always have a car that works we generally will book a full size car for the best rate and take our chances with getting a good car in that lot. (Worst case scenario is we have to upgrade when we get there and if the attendant sees the price we are upgrading from they are normally sensitive to price and find the best rates)
Anyway boise doesn't do any of that, they don't have a a "preferred lot" but I don't know that, so I call and check online for the best price. As I say above calling is about 75 a day for the suv, 60 for the full size car. Online the full size car is the same price as when I call 60 to 80 IF i pick it up within 2 hours. However if i wait 6 hours or more to pick it up it is only 14$ a day!
So with taxes I buy it for 37$ and expect to pay for an upgrade when I get to airport. When I get there I talk friendly with the attendant and ask if they have upgrades to suv. He says sure what do you want, Captiva,cherokee, grand cherokee, explorer, expedition? I ask well what do they cost and he says oh. I can do that for the same price. I say the cherokee, he gives me paperwork and I walk out with the keys. What a great deal, no wear on our car, cheaper gas, comfy car for the price of dinner.
Total price for the 1200 mile round trip. 37$ rental + 145$ gas = 185$.
The moral is, if you are willing to have a minimal amount of risk, book no larger than a full size car on avis preferred using the cheapest online price, and don't wait til the last minute. (the account is free)
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