Reply to: US car Hire

[Alf W]

I hire a lot of cars in the USA on my trips, but book it first here in the UK to save some dosh - I recommend everytime.

Make sure that you have "Bumber to Bumber cover"

[wxman]

I hire a lot of cars in the USA on my trips, but book it first here in the UK to save some dosh - I recommend <link removed> everytime.

Make sure that you have "Bumber to Bumber cover"

[OwlHoot]

And don't forget the most indispensable holiday item second only to a towel - a compass. Not a digital one, but one that costs about £2 and runs without power or WIFI or internet connection.

not forgetting your trusty Viking Sun Stone, in case it's cloudy

[TimberWolf]

you dont need sat nav in the states.

top tips :-

they drive nicely over there, everything is much more sedate
they dont have many roundabouts, traffic light go to green without warning
you can turn right on a red at the lights, if its clear
junctions are not signed early, when you see a sign, thats the junction-be alert
you often have to pay before filling up
use cruise control, its ace and probably the only time you will ever use it propply
the big interstates will appear empty, after the M6
they call the petrol gas
never ask anyone the way to Aintree

And apparently the way to the Empire State building is 'up yours arsewhole'. No matter where you start from!

[Churchill]

you dont need sat nav in the states.

top tips :-

they drive nicely over there, everything is much more sedate
they dont have many roundabouts, traffic light go to green without warning
you can turn right on a red at the lights, if its clear
junctions are not signed early, when you see a sign, thats the junction-be alert
you often have to pay before filling up
use cruise control, its ace and probably the only time you will ever use it propply
the big interstates will appear empty, after the M6
they call the petrol gas
never ask anyone the way to Aintree


Don't hit the one tree for 500 miles on the highway. Plenty do.

Ftfy.

[EternalOptimist]

you dont need sat nav in the states.

top tips :-

they drive nicely over there, everything is much more sedate
they dont have many roundabouts, traffic light go to green without warning
you can turn right on a red at the lights, if its clear
junctions are not signed early, when you see a sign, thats the junction-be alert
you often have to pay before filling up
use cruise control, its ace and probably the only time you will ever use it propply
the big interstates will appear empty, after the M6
they call the petrol gas
never ask anyone the way to Aintree

[TimberWolf]

£100 for a week? What sort of go-kart are you going to get for £100, you Pov?

Tip for US car hire is to book one grade down from the grade of car you actually want and then take advantage of the upgrade offer at the desk.

Oh and buy one of those old fashioned Map things to help you get around. You don't need a Sat Nav in Florida.

And don't forget the most indispensable holiday item second only to a towel - a compass. Not a digital one, but one that costs about £2 and runs without power or WIFI or internet connection.

[Spacecadet]

Don't they have buses over there??

They've got the front of one in the Smithsonian museum

[Dearnla]

Don't they have buses over there??

[Mich the Tester]

Oh and buy one of those old fashioned Map things to help you get around. You don't need a Sat Nav in Florida.

WHS. In the USA they have straight roads going north-south, and straight roads going east-west. Anyone who lives on a bendy road is likely to be a rabid right wing hillbilly who votes for Sarah Palin and shoots anyone he deems to be a communist, a 'mooslim' or a 'Yurruppean'.

HTH

[Fred Bloggs]

You can also get the cheapo USA Co Pilot down load for Android. Be ready for the very hard sell at the car pick up desk. I find it really annoying all the extras they try to force on to you. If you agree to a car upgrade, bargain very hard. I got an upgrade for US$10 a day when it started out at US$100 for example. The other rip off they try to con you into is to pay for breakdown cover which as far as I know you already have if the thing breaks down. One last thing, many of the cars have a tag now that debits your credit card automatically on the toll roads. Naturally, there is a hefty admin fee to use this. Best to go into the pay lane and pay by cash.

[FiveTimes]

Off to Florida shortly and needing to hire a car.

Car itself only around £100 for the week.

Add on Sat Nav and price increases by 50%!

Anything I need to worry about insurance wise etc, and anyone used any firms / comparison websites that actually include the satnav so I can get a more accurate quote?

Have a look at Alamo car hire

Regarding the insurance, get the most comprehensive cover you can.

I'm looking at downloading Orlando maps for my sat nav so we don't have to pay daft amounts for hire.

[Alf W]

£100 for a week? What sort of go-kart are you going to get for £100, you Pov?

Tip for US car hire is to book one grade down from the grade of car you actually want and then take advantage of the upgrade offer at the desk.

Oh and buy one of those old fashioned Map things to help you get around. You don't need a Sat Nav in Florida.

[Churchill]

Off to Florida shortly and needing to hire a car.

Car itself only around £100 for the week.

Add on Sat Nav and price increases by 50%!

Anything I need to worry about insurance wise etc, and anyone used any firms / comparison websites that actually include the satnav so I can get a more accurate quote?

Pay for your car hire in the UK and then negotiate a cheap upgrade when you arrive in the states.

Btw, "Moral Turpitude" is still an offence in the USA.

I'm sure we'll all wait with baited breath for you to regale us with your tales of woe.

[Flubster]

Off to Florida shortly and needing to hire a car.

Car itself only around £100 for the week.

Add on Sat Nav and price increases by 50%!

Anything I need to worry about insurance wise etc, and anyone used any firms / comparison websites that actually include the satnav so I can get a more accurate quote?

If you have an iPhone, download CoPilot USA (£2.99). I also take my iPhone TomTom cradle with me.

If you don't have an iPhone, ignore me....