Car Rental Recommendations: Florida

DogWhistle · Aug 4, 2014

Flying into Tampa next month to visit my son, then driving to Fort Myers to see the in-laws. Please chime in with recommendations on a good place to rent a car -- aside from the usual suspects (Avis, Hertz, Budget, etc.). The major companies want major coin because my trip is in part of two different weeks and their systems automatically call it a two-week rental.

I would love it if someplace there rented classic DSMs :thumb:

miliman13 · Aug 4, 2014

actually i have seen some hole in the wall rental car places with dsm's but cant remember were in Tampa they are. I would honestly recommend enterprise either at the airport or Hillsborough ave and Dalemabry (close to airport). Best prices and no hassle. Good luck

DogWhistle · Aug 4, 2014

Thanks. I will check Enterprise out. I forgot about them.

BoostedinSoFla · Aug 7, 2014

Yes, I was just gonna say Enterprise.

99ECLIPSEGSXDSM · Aug 18, 2014

Next month my woman and I are flying to Tampa to visit family mbers for over a week.

DogWhistle · Aug 18, 2014

I wound up getting the best price from Alamo. It turns out, only three companies control 98% of the rental business in Florida, so deals are rare. Out of all the national car rental companies, they are collectively owned in three groups. At least Alamo is located at the airport instead of a shuttle ride to the boonies to get your car. The $250 for 10 days didn't seem TOO bad, until they slapped on the 50% Florida Car Rental tax and fees, bringing the total to $375. I'm told by locals that $375 is a great rate. I'd hate to see a bad rate.

BoostedinSoFla · Aug 29, 2014

DogWhistle said:
I wound up getting the best price from Alamo. It turns out, only three companies control 98% of the rental business in Florida, so deals are rare. Out of all the national car rental companies, they are collectively owned in three groups. At least Alamo is located at the airport instead of a shuttle ride to the boonies to get your car. The $250 for 10 days didn't seem TOO bad, until they slapped on the 50% Florida Car Rental tax and fees, bringing the total to $375. I'm told by locals that $375 is a great rate. I'd hate to see a bad rate.

You got hustled. Should've went with Enterprise like we all told you. I've never been charged a 50% Car rental tax and fees, don't know what the hell that is.

DogWhistle · Aug 29, 2014

It's fees that total 50%: Environmental fees, airport fees, state tax, blah, blah, blah.

I checked with 12 different companies trying to find the best price. Once you get the price and lock in the reservation, then they tell you about the "Oh, by the way" fees. Enterprise was still higher.

You really have to wonder about the logic in sticking it to people who visit any state.

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Car Rental Recommendations: Florida

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