Ecar Rentals, Discount Coupons & Specials on Enterprise Rental
Automobiles
When You're Home
Unlike other car rental companies,
Enterprise focuses on neighborhood
markets. We specialize in renting to
people who need a temporary
replacement car or a vehicle for a
special occasion. Our branches are
located in neighborhoods, where our
customers live and work; in fact,
there is an Enterprise branch within
15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S.
population.
We currently operate more than 7,000
rental offices in five countries,
with a rental car fleet of more than
720,000 vehicles including more than
120 different makes and models.
If the convenience of having your rental car company located at the
airport is important to you, then Enterprise is your rental car company.
In the USA alone, Enterprise is located in over 150 airports.
Enterprise is also located at hundreds more, worldwide. So if you
are more comfortable with a rental car company that is large,
convenient, and thrives on customer satisfaction, then Enterprise should
be your only choice!
In 1995, Enterprise opened
its first on-site airport location at the Denver International Airport; we
now operate 230 on-site airport locations throughout the nation and in
Canada, the U.K., Germany and Ireland.
Business
Rental Program
The company that is famous
for great cars, low rates, and free pick-up also offers a terrific
business rental program to save you more time and money, and as a
member you and your employees will receive even more, such as:
Special pricing on every rental;
whether it's for a day, a week, a month or more
More than 6500 neighborhood
locations in North America and over 220 major airport locations
With more than 650,000 vehicles
in fleet get the exact vehicle you need
V8 Air conditioning Premium audio system with AM/FM/CD Cruise control 40/20/40 split driver, passenger and center Seat Power windows and remote power locks Advanced driver and passenger front airbags
V8 Automatic transmission with overdrive and tow/haul mode Premium audio
system with AM/FM/CD and 8 speakers Advanced driver and passenger airbags Power windows and door locks Keyless entry operated via key fob Front 40/20/40 split reclining bench seat with driver adjustable seat Cruise control Separate driver & passenger climate controls
With
the price of gasoline well over $3 a gallon, it is so much more convenient and
relatively cheaper to fly than it is to drive. Considering the long work
weeks and fewer and fewer vacations being approved, would you want to spend a
third of that precious week driving to and from your vacation destination?
I would hope not! When you choose to fly to your vacation getaway, how do
you get around once you arrive? Renting a
vehicle can give you freedom and
flexibility when you're traveling, and in some parts of the country it's the only
feasible way to get around. But a rental car can sometimes add complications to
your trip. You can waste valuable time and energy trying to find the best deal or sorting out exactly which
insurance options you need. Read our practical tips on saving money,
understanding your rental agreement and avoiding problems with your car rental.
Choose a Vehicle
The type of car you choose will largely depend on the type of vacation you are
taking. If you plan on skiing, or surfing, or towing anything like jet
skis, then you will want a larger vehicle like a truck or SUV. If you just
want simple transportation to get a family of 4 or less from one destination to
another, than a Hyundai or other small car is all you will need. Don't
forget, with the current price of gasoline, the smaller a car you can choose,
the better the gas mileage.
Of course gas mileage shouldn't be your only concern. An environmental
concern may cause you to choose a standard transmission over an automatic due to
more economical fuel consumption. If you can't drive a stick shift, be sure to reserve a car with automatic transmission.
(In some countries, a manual transmission is the norm, so be sure to investigate
before booking. It also a great idea to ask about any extra's the company may offer, such as a ski rack, car seat or GPS system. Do not
underestimate the value of a GPS system in your rental car. If you own a
small Garmin or Tom Tom, pack it in your luggage for the flight and use it in
your rental car when you arrive. If you don't own one, the rental car
company will be glad to rent you one for a very small fee. Believe me, it
is well worth it when traveling in an area your not familiar with. It can
direct you to the closest motels, gas stations, restaurants, tourist
attractions, beaches, parks and much more. If you would rather purchase a
nice Garmin for under $300, we recommend
CheapGarmin.com.
Booking Your Car
How long do you plan to rent your vehicle? Whether short or long term, you
would be well advised to go with a major rental company, such as
Enterprise. Remember to be wary of local
companies if you plan to drive a lot. If you break down or get into an accident,
they usually lack the support services of the major rental companies and rates
are nearly identical. In other words, the smaller companies you cost you
nearly the same price but lack the customer service. Smaller companies are
also notorious for ripping you off on the return by finding additional dents and
scratches you may not have noticed when you received the car.
To lower your rate, ask about discounts for any major national organizations,
frequent flier programs and credit card programs you may belong to. They'll
frequently offer deals on car rentals. Those offered through AAA can be very
good.
If you're have not already done so, consider joining your car rental company's loyalty
program. They may vary by rental car company, but most of them are free and
entitle you to certain privileges when picking up your vehicle. Your
rental information will be maintained
on file ahead of time, allowing you to simply jump into the car and go
rather than standing in long lines or filling out paperwork. Being a member could also
make you
eligible for special discounts or free upgrades.
Enterprise has a fantastic loyalty program.
You would be well advised to check it out.
Understanding Your Rental
If you're booking online, read the terms and conditions before
confirming your reservation. If you're booking on the phone, ask the agent about
restrictions. Before booking by phone, understand that your best rates and
discounts are available online because you are essentially booking yourself in
and no employee is involved. Be sure you understand the conditions of your reservation. Is
there a penalty for no-shows? How long will the car be held if you're stuck in
traffic on the way to the pickup station? Is there a fee for additional drivers
and must their names be listed in the contract? Is your 20-year-old daughter old
enough to drive the car? (For liability reasons, this is important.)
If pertinent, ask about any restrictions on interstate travel. For your own
protection in case of breakdown, be sure the company has offices in all the
states on your itinerary.
For one-way rentals, ask about drop-off charges. Be sure to always write down
your confirmation number. For airport rentals, be sure to give the
customer service representative your flight number and scheduled arrival time.
In most cases, this will protect your reservation if the flight is delayed.
The True Cost of Car Rentals
The rate you see advertised in big print may not be the final price. This
rate can become inflated
with state and local taxes, airport surcharges, additional driver fees,
insurance, gasoline bills and drop-off charges. Be prepared for this when
you return your vehicle.
Also, verify that the advertised rate is valid. Some companies only give
specials in the off-season for Florida or California,
when many cars are idle there, but not where you want to rent. Finally, make
sure that the rate
is not only available for a car size that you would find unsuitable.
Like the airlines, the major auto rental companies have adopted "yield
management." In simple terms, this means that their computers can quickly readjust prices
according to changes in their available vehicle supply. The rental rate you
are quoted at that moment will probably change, so reserve immediately.
At Pickup Time
You may be able to save a days rental on your rental car if you take a shuttle
from the airport to your destination. Be sure to compare costs and verify
that you are actually getting a cheaper rate then if you had rented an
additional day. Even if you must drive the same day your flight lands, you may not
have to get the car at the airport. By picking it up downtown, you can often
avoid hefty airport surcharges.
If you have personal auto insurance or charge the rental to a major credit
card, you will probably be covered at least for collision damage -- so you
shouldn't have to purchase the car rental company's collision or loss damage
waiver (CDW or LDW) insurance. If in doubt, ask your insurance agent or credit
card issuer.
Before you drive away from the pickup station, inspect the car carefully for
body damage. Be sure the lights and turn signals are working properly, and check
the mileage odometer. Report any defects at once.
Familiarize yourself with the workings of the car before you leave the lot.
Check which side your gas tank is on, and learn how to use the headlights,
windshield wipers and turn signal. It may seem obvious, but you'll also want to
memorize the make, model and color of your car -- that way you won't lose it the
first time you park in a busy lot!
Returning Your Car
Be wary of prepaid gasoline plans. Always fill the tank yourself before
returning the vehicle so that you're only paying for the amount of gas you
actually used. Try to avoid the gas stations right near the airport where you're
dropping off your car -- the prices tend to be highest there. Instead, fill up a
few miles away. Even better: Check
GasBuddy.com
before your trip to find out where the cheapest gas stations are in your area.
It may seem counterintuitive, but returning your car early may actually cost you
money. You'll often pay an early return fee (usually about $15 a day), but even
worse, your rate structure will most likely change and you'll be responsible for
the difference. Of course, returning the car late could cost you too -- many car
rental companies only give you a 30-minute grace period before beginning to rack
up the late fees.
Before leaving the vehicle, check to be sure you haven't left any personal
belongings. Don't forget to check the trunk! The most common lost articles
include cell phones, sunglasses and umbrellas.
Be sure that the check-in attendant inspects the car's body in your presence and
that you agree about any damage. Examine your rental agreement carefully for all
charges and make sure they credit any deposit to your account while you wait.
Of all the rental car companies that we have had extensive dealings with over
the years, we find
Enterprise to have the most
knowledgeable staff, ease in securing your rental online, and one of the
greatest selections of cars to pick from, and never a mistake in your rental and
located at all major airports.
And, last but not least, have a safe and enjoyable trip.
With
the price of gasoline well over $3 a gallon, it is so much more convenient and
relatively cheaper to fly than it is to drive. Considering the long work
weeks and fewer and fewer vacations being approved, would you want to spend a
third of that precious week driving to and from your vacation destination?
I would hope not! When you choose to fly to your vacation getaway, how do
you get around once you arrive? Renting a
vehicle can give you freedom and
flexibility when you're traveling, and in some parts of the country it's the only
feasible way to get around. But a rental car can sometimes add complications to
your trip. You can waste valuable time and energy trying to find the best deal or sorting out exactly which
insurance options you need. Read our practical tips on saving money,
understanding your rental agreement and avoiding problems with your car rental.