Los Angeles Car Rentals

Los Angeles Car Rentals:

The major players

The major rental agencies are Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Various car classes

Various classes like Economy Class, Compact Class, Standard, Intermediate Class and Full-size Class are available.

You have got a wide range of selection for cars. Economy Cars (like Hyundai Accent), Compact Cars (like Chevy Cavalier), Mid-Size Cars (like Nissan Sentra or Toyota Corolla), Standard Car(like Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Mustang coupe). Full Size Cars (like Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry), Premium Cars (like Ford Taurus), Convertible Cars (like Mazda Miata), Sport Utility (like Nissan Xterra), Minivans (like Nissan Quest or Dodge Caravan), Luxury cars(like Mercedes, Jaguar, Range Rover, BMW, Porsche, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Corvette, Hummer, Viper, a conversion van, 15 passenger vans, SUV).

All the cars will be of the newest models available and in pristine condition all with low mileage.

Weekly rates for various classes

It differs according to the company:

For Economy Class the price may range from $139+-/wk to $205+-/wk. For Mid-Size class it may range from $165+-/wk to $230+-/wk. For Full-size class it is from $180+-/wk to $241+-/wk. For Mini Vans the rates may range from $237+-/wk to $335+-/wk and for SUV it ranges from $237+-/wk to $324+-/wk

How to book

One can call up the rental agency in a toll free number or can look out for online bookings, which is much more easier. All you have to do is to select a quote given in the site. Clearly mention the pick up place; it can be an airport or a city. Also mention the pick up and drop-off locations and time.

While booking, keep it in mind that the early you book the better rate levels you get. Book during the weekdays and not on a daily basis because rates change then. You can only reserve the vehicle size and not the make and model. Reserve with Weekly Rates rather than Daily Rates.

The criteria for rating

Liability Insurance: Covers you if you damage another car or hurt someone, ie a third party

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Protects you from damages to rental vehicle or if the vehicle is stolen.

Sales tax: 8.25% in Los Angeles

Base rates: this is the price of vehicle per day (24 hours) per week (7 days) or per month (28 days).

Under-age fee: 15.00 per day for under-21 drivers and 5.00 per day for 21 to 24 years-old drivers. For some sport or specialty vehicles, the under-age fee could be up-to 25.00 per day

Fuel Charges: If you return the vehicle with less fuel than you took it with.

Extra Mileage: You pay extra mileage fees if you go over a certain number of miles that is free

Additional Drivers Charge: 3 additional drivers permitted. $20 ‘one time’ charge per driver

Some companies may add a daily rate ($4-10/day) or a flat fee/rental for extra drivers

Drop off charge.

Extra seats: Infant and child safety seats usually costs $5-$6 per day to rent but can be anywhere from $2-$10 per day.

Airport Surcharges

The basic requirements to rent

A valid driver licence, an international drivers license if you are not English.

A personal or corporate auto insurance that may cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Physical Damage Waiver (PDW). It may also cover Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) and Additional Liability Insurance (ALI).

One should have a valid passport and a credit card. Debit Card, Traveller’s Cheques, VISA, Master Card, AMEX are accepted for deposits.

You should be 25 years of age: Some agencies allow rentals for drivers under 25, even 18 years, to rent but you will have to shell out some extra. For drivers under 21 rentals are given if they have a valid US or Canadian driver license, major credit card and a proof of verifiable and acceptable car insurance. Whereas, some agencies may require that you are in the government, military or have a special corporate account qualify under the age of 25. However, the rental vehicle must be used for business purposes. Conversely, it is also possible for some car rental companies to have an upper age limit. Minimum Age for Additional Drivers is 20.

What about drop off and pick up

Free pick up and drop off are provided from the airport and hotels. All you have to do is give your flight number and arrival time to the agency. Once you return the vehicle, you will be dropped in the airport free off the cost.

You can have a different drop off location other than the pick up site. Some companies charge an extra, which will be included in your. This fee is waived if the company allows "one-way drop-offs" at particular locations. But some time it can be as high a $1500 if you drop the car off a long distance from where you picked it up.

What to do for cancellation

All you have to do is to cancel the quote via phone or online. But do it prior to a specified term. There is no fee for cancellation.

Other important points

The rentals follow “24-hour clock rate”, so ensure that you return the vehicle on time and not one or two hours late to the specified time because that could make up a day and you would be charged extra. You are usually charged for 2 days if you return it more than 27-28 hrs after picking the car up. The policy for most companies is that an hourly rate is charged for the first 3-4 hrs after 24 hrs But if you prefer to extend the rental period, just call up and make the arrangement. An extra amount will be added up to your rental that is all.

Always remember to return the vehicle full tank in order to save the extra in the form of refueling service charges.

If you are booked for any traffic violation or any other charges you will be denied a rental.

Always check out the road rules and safety measures when setting off with your vehicle.

Remember that the rates given online will be most of the time much lesser than the actual amount as it comes without the inclusive.

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