Advice on upgrade or book what you want

[fletchie148]

We are wondering if you are better taking the basic car on offer and just upgrade car and insurance to what you like on collection
Or just book your specific car and insurance at time of booking
Is there a benefit? For or against?
Any advice would be appreciated, we usually book with USRentacar for an SUV, but wondered if we are missing a deal upgrading from a basic car
Thanks

[chmurf]

Book whatever you need

buying your insurance on location will be a total rip off
our all inclusive rates (UK sites) will get you a fully insured car, for the price of an uninsured car booked in the US. So whatever insurance you need to pay for locally will be more expensive then booking it in the first place

upgrades at the garage/desk will (most of the time) be more expensive than getting the right car.
Sure, some will have wonderful story on how cheap they got the upgrade. Sure.
Consider you'll be that exhausted passenger. Consider rental agents LOVE Brits (someone recently posted an article on how agents see us, brits, as the cows that are ready and willing to be milked ... )
You might win and get a good deal, but the reps at the desk/garage have a hell of an advantage there. And, they know you need that car, and they know you're out of time, and they know they'll get a cut of whatever money they get from you

well, as far as I'm concerned, I book whatever I need, and I avoid reps as much as I can.
I want to see a $0 estimated charges on the rental agreement. And not spend my first hours in florida figuring out charges and arguing about them at a desk.

[RobertWestwood]

definitely agree on booking what you need here with all insurances.

If you have a little extra to spend and are willing to haggle, there can be good deals to be had from the desk clerks depending on how desperate they are to make a sale that day

[Mr Tom Morrow]

My motto is book what you want. However you can nab a bargain if you are prepared to haggle.

I had a standard SUV this Oct/Nov and I queried with the Manager in the garage about an upgrade. He offered me anything up to a Luxury SUV for $10 a day but I hasten to add they know me as I am there a lot!

Sounds great, only $210 for my 21 day rental. But then add on sales tax and 10% airport user fee. Not so great then.
I was just curious and didn't worry as I had what I wanted being an SUV which suits my bad back to get in and out easily

[keith1973]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

My motto is book what you want. However you can nab a bargain if you are prepared to haggle.

I had a standard SUV this Oct/Nov and I queried with the Manager in the garage about an upgrade. He offered me anything up to a Luxury SUV for $10 a day but I hasten to add they know me as I am there a lot!

Sounds great, only $210 for my 21 day rental. But then add on sales tax and 10% airport user fee. Not so great then.
I was just curious and didn't worry as I had what I wanted being an SUV which suits my bad back to get in and out easily

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Tom did they have any X5’s or anything nice in the lux SUV line I’ve got a Tahoe booked for Feb but would be tempted by a X5 to test for 3 weeks. I’m thinking of changing my Merc for a X4 next year

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by keith1973

Tom did they have any X5’s or anything nice in the lux SUV line I’ve got a Tahoe booked for Feb but would be tempted by a X5 to test for 3 weeks. I’m thinking of changing my Merc for a X4 next year

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I didn't see an X5 but there were loads of Suburbans, Expeditions, Navigators, some huge Infinity thingy and a Tahoe.
That's all I can remember as I was just glancing at them whilst at the hut.
Didn't see any Escalades though at all.

They had a nice BMW 7 series in the specialist line though. Brand new!

As an aside I am so pleased with my X3. Love it!

[keith1973]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

I didn't see an X5 but there were loads of Suburbans, Expeditions, Navigators, some huge Infinity thingy and a Tahoe.
That's all I can remember as I was just glancing at them whilst at the hut.
Didn't see any Escalades though at all.

They had a nice BMW 7 series in the specialist line though. Brand new!

As an aside I am so pleased with my X3. Love it!

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I’m a Mercedes man so looking at the GLC coupe X4 or might just go for another e class coupe also like the jag f

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by keith1973

I’m a Mercedes man so looking at the GLC coupe X4 or might just go for another e class coupe also like the jag f

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My Son has a Merc, 220 is it? Had it new 18 months ago. Put 30K on the clock already!
However I find it like my BMW320, far too low for me to get in and out sadly.

[BoxOfFrogs]

My wifes car is an X5 I would be proper upset to get one of those, I think the Tahoe and friends are so much better than X5

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by BoxOfFrogs

My wifes car is an X5 I would be proper upset to get one of those, I think the Tahoe and friends are so much better than X5

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Mmm. I think the build quality of American cars is dire. Give me European any day of the week.
Even the Cadillacs we have had aren't that great, nice leather I must say but I'm not impressed with a lot of the other stuff sadly.