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In previous McCool Travel blog and Facebook posts, I showed that for rental cars I typically use discounts from AAA, Entertainment books, and Costco, get great value renting from Emerald Aisle (National Car Rental) and Hertz (but sometimes use Avis or other brands), and how to use Auto Slash to further lower your rental car rate. And I showed you some creative and stealthy rental car maneuvers.
I have shown more complex examples of how to save money with one-way airfares and car rentals, how to swap rental cars, and even how to get a FREE rental car.
Most of the time, I rent vehicles from airport locations. After all, it is the most convenient process after flying to another destination. Get off the plane, pick up a car, and be on my way.
However, there have been trips where I rented a car but did not pick it up at the airport.
Car Rental, Road Trip
Sometimes renting a car from a non-airport location can save big money.
One time, I flew into Frankfurt, Germany, took a train to Trier, spent a few hours touring Trier and researching their archives, and picked up a car at their Hertz office just before their 6pm closing time.
Another trip, I flew into Long Beach, rode a city bus to downtown, and walked a short distance to rent a car from the downtown location.
Still another trip, I flew into Seattle, spent a few days downtown, picked up a car at a downtown location, used that car for two days to visit Portland and Mt. St. Helens, returned it to a Tacoma location, and then rented an RV. Whew!
There were more instances but these are just three examples. The primary reason for me to rent a car from an alternate location and not the airport was and is to save money.
A sort-of brilliant side effect to the first two scenarios was that I was able to return the cars to the airport location for the same rate as the rental location. That was much more convenient that I did not have to take a cab ride, shuttle, or bus.
OK, that is some background info…
Recently, I was doing some rental car rate searches.
I discovered that the weekly rates for renting a car from South Florida airports ran about $500.
$500? That is crazy! The rates were about the same at Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach airports.
A quick search, though, at nearby off-airport locations near Ft. Lauderdale airport presented rates around $200.
Yes, $200 for the same car, from the same company, just a few miles away.
Do you want to save $300?
I sure do.
But how to get to the alternate location, you might justifiably wonder.
Depending on the circumstances, I have taken taxis, city buses, shuttle buses, trains, hitched rides, or walked.
It is possible that the rental car company will come pick you up, although it is unlawful for them to do so at some airports.
For the current Ft. Lauderdale example, I estimate a taxi would cost $35 (including tip) each way. I use Taxi Fare Finder to do so.
OK, so the actual savings is $230 if a taxi is used in both directions. Not too shabby!
It is possible that a passenger doing this will actually save time renting away from the airport than at the airport.
Allow me to explain. To rent a car at Ft. Lauderdale, everyone must take a shuttle bus to a central rental car facility; all car firms are there. When I have a Hertz Gold or Emerald Aisle reservation and can bypass the line, it still often takes 20-30 minutes to get to a car after I exit the terminal.
If, instead, I exit the terminal and immediately get in a taxi, I will likely be in my car at the off-airport location within the same 20-30 minutes. However, I am now 10-15 minutes closer to my intended destination. Brilliant! Of course it takes a minor bit of planning to select a location in the same direction as where you intend to go.
Remember that the rate is often the same if the car is returned to the airport. If so, then only one taxi would be needed.
Taking public transportation often costs less and usually (but not always) takes more time. Depends on the traffic. For instance, the light rail in Seattle is super convenient, clean, speedy, and inexpensive. It can get you from the airport to downtown in less time than driving, during rush hour.
With great planning and luck, you can rent a car at a hotel with a complimentary shuttle. Or take a shuttle as close as you can and walk to the rental location.
There are various modes of transportation that will support your decision to rent cars away from airports to save loads of cash.
How about you? Have you ever rented a car from a non-airport location to save money?
Previous McCool Travel post ====> 8 Great Reasons to Stay At Independent Motels
To read previous posts in the Road Trip Diet series click here.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool). You can also follow me on LinkedIn, Pinterest, Klout, and StumbleUpon.
© 2012, Charles McCool
A few days ago, I saved over 35% at a hotel by negotiating a lower rate.
My prior post listed basic tips to negotiate a cheaper hotel room rate.
A reader on my Facebook page suggested recording my conversations. Well, I am not quite yet ready to enter the spy game but here is an after-the-fact transcript of the conversation I had to negotiate a lower hotel rate.
Background: I went to the visitor’s center in the town (a touristy town in the Southeast US) and picked up a hotel coupon book. I saw coupons for undesirable (to me) chain hotels for $55 (and more) and an independent property for $39. I visited the indy property but the rooms did not have wi-fi. I told them that I really wanted the wi-fi–so I would pass on a room this trip but asked for their recommendation for another property. They suggested a chain from the coupon book. I asked about another independent property–a very quaint-looking motel–I saw along the drive there. The desk clerk said, “Oh, yeah, nice place and they have a new pool.”
Disappointed that the first property did not work out (especially for $39!), I drove back to the charming, quaint motel. Here is my conversation with that desk clerk:
Me: Hello. Do you have an available room for one person?
Clerk: Yes. The rate is $70.
Me: Do you have any lower rates?
Clerk: How about $65?
Me: Oh, that is more than I wanted to pay.
Clerk: What are you looking to pay?
Me: Well, I went to the visitor’s center and they had a $39 coupon for the ABC Indy Hotel. ABC did not have wi-fi in the room, which I really want. The ABC clerk suggested the XYZ Yucky Chain Hotel but I noticed your property on the way there and asked them what they thought. They said it is very nice and you have a new pool.
Clerk: Uh, huh.
Me: I prefer independent properties and really do not want to stay at XYZ Yucky Chain Hotel. I imagine that you cannot match ABC’s $39 rate.
[NOTE: Not sure if it was good to mention this or not.]
Clerk: No, that’s too low.
Me: Would you take $50 total?
Clerk: Sure.
So, I ended up paying $50 total, saving 37% from the standard rate of $70 ($79.10 with tax).
I also stayed a second night at the same rate. A third night was a weekend night (Friday), which they charge much more.
What do you think? Have you negotiated hotel rates? Are your experiences similar or different?
I have negotiated rates with other hotels that were not so fast–a little more back and forth. I was actually surprised that they accepted my first offer of $50. Of course it made me wonder if I could have paid less.
Perhaps these posts of negotiating cheaper hotel rate will help you for future trips.
Happy travels!
Charles McCool is an independent consumer travel advocate.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
Have you ever negotiated a hotel rate? Yes, I said negotiated.
By negotiating, I don’t mean simply trying to get lower hotel rates–although, that is the intent. I don’t mean applying your discount programs (AAA, Costco, Entertainment, Room Saver) to get the best possible published rate.
Negotiated hotel rates are not published–or at least I end up feeling that way after agreeing to a rate.
Here are a few actual lodging deals I have negotiated:
- bartered about the method of payment (in Casablanca, Morocco)
- a lower rate by skipping breakfast (near Frankfurt, Germany)
- a camping spot on a golf course (in Tofino, Canada)
- several standard hotel stays
A couple of days ago, I saved over 37% at a hotel by negotiating a lower rate.
Here are some basic tips to negotiate a cheaper hotel room rate:
- independent hotel. Chains will sometimes negotiate if their occupancy is predicted to be under 70%. Independently owned properties, however, are usually managed by the owners, who are willing to negotiate rather than not make any money.
- let them go lower. Ask for the rate for a room. After getting the opening rate, ask if they can offer anything lower. Say that the second rate is more than you want to pay. They will ask what are you looking to pay, if you have any discount programs, or just say that is the best they can do. For the first scenario, if they ask what you are willing to pay, that is a negotiating situation. The other two scenarios usually do not result in successful price drops.
- compliment them. I typically say that I prefer to stay at independent properties rather than chains (true) or that I read some recommendations (hotel operators like hearing about appearing in TripAdvisor, etc.). In this situation, I first tried a nearby property (with a coupon) but they did not have wi-fi in the rooms. They suggested that I try a nearby chain hotel. Instead, I told the clerk at the independent hotel that I first tried the other property, that they did not have wi-fi, that they suggested the chain, but that I prefer indy properties.
- name your price. If the hotel desk clerk asks for your rate, propose something reasonable that you would be content paying. If it is a $300 a night property, they will not accept $50. I usually ask for the lowest rate of nearby competitors (especially from coupon guides) or a percentage (50%-75%) of their rate. NOTE: proposed lower rates have more merit in conjunction with the compliments, I believe.
- agree on a rate. A couple of times, the hotel desk clerk accepting my opening rate. Other times they may counter and there will be some true back and forth negotiating, until we agree on a rate.
Per a suggestion on my Facebook page, my next post will be a sample conversation on how I successfully negotiate lower hotel rates.
Charles McCool is an independent consumer travel advocate.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
Happy Valentine’s Day.
A couple of months ago I found a good hotel deal. Although we will not stay there for another two months, Julie (my valentine) asked me about it over the weekend. She saw that the current rate is $30 less than what I reserved. I pushed a couple of buttons and saved about $150 ($30 for two nights and $50 for another).
When I made the reservation, the AAA rate was the lowest price. The hotel’s current regular rate was much lower. In fact, the current AAA rate was even higher than my initial reserved rate.
Lesson: just like relationships, the best travel deals are ongoing relationships. Things change over time and it is best to stay up to date. They are not a one-time thing.
Photo from http://www.wherearesueandmike.com
Do YOU love travel deals? Do you periodically check current rates? What other lessons about travel deals and life have you learned?
Share responses by leaving a comment or contacting me directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
When looking for hotel discounts, I sometimes find lower rates through visitor centers. I encourage you to include visitor centers in your trip planning toolbox to save money and time on future lodging searches.
Here are two methods to find discounted hotel rates from visitor centers.
- Search Online. For Washington, DC, I sometimes find cheaper hotel rates through the visitor center reservation service than anywhere else. The Monterey, CA visitor website organizes lodging specials in one place. You will save time if not money.
- Personal Visit. Especially when I am on a road trip or in a new city, I will visit the local visitor center or Chamber of Commerce. Browse the brochure racks for hotel and B&B discounts. They often have information for surrounding areas. Ask the staff for recommendations and other discounts. I booked a hotel room at a New Orleans French Quarter hotel for under $35 through a Louisiana State Welcome Center worker. Visitor centers also carry coupon books.
Visitor centers can negotiate rates with hotel properties and often serve as a clearinghouse for excess inventory. They sometimes offer lower rates than other suppliers and can book rooms that are not included in Priceline, Hotwire, Hotels.com, and AAA.
In addition to cheaper lodging, visitor centers are a great source of information and other discounts, on attractions, dining, tours, and transportation.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
Charles McCool can be contacted directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
© 2011, Charles McCool
When I lived in Monterey (tough gig, but someone had to do it), one day I stopped at the Monterey visitors center. I eavesdropped for a few minutes. The staff member recommended the same couple of tourist trap seafood restaurants to several people. One man asked for a Mexican place, like Taco Bell. The worker pointed him to the closest Taco Bell. I wanted to slap them both.
In hindsight, I realize two things:
- Some people like Taco Bell. I realize it but cannot explain it.
- The quality of recommendations depends on the source (and the question).
If you want to eat at the same tourist traps that everyone else eats at, get recommendations from the visitor center staff, Gray Line driver, or hotel front desk. If you want to spend less money and have more fun (eat where the locals eat), ask the local bus driver or passengers.
People I ask for local recommendations (dining and things to do) include:
- rental car agents
- grocery store workers and customers
- small businesses (bike shop, bakeries, delis, gift shop, other restaurants)
- library staff
- hotel maintenance, housekeeping, valet, and bell hop staff
Second line of defense (I usually have to dig deep with the right questions):
- hotel concierge and front desk
- visitor bureau staff
- airport information desk volunteers
- tourist attraction and restaurant workers
- guidebooks
By the way, there are phenomenal non-chain Mexican restaurants in the Monterey area. Best carnitas I ever had are from El Migueleno in Seaside. Thank me later.
Share responses by leaving a comment below or contacting me directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
The best hotel rates are usually accompanied by a special rate code. You never know where you will find that almighty elusive code. I consider the AAA rate as my baseline amount and try to find lower rates than that.
Last September, I was looking up college football 2010 schedules. On the website with the University of Miami schedule, there is a link to “travel and leisure partners.” I clicked the link and checked out some of the hotels. One of the offerings is the Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove. I looked at sample rates for a weekend in October. Here were the rates:
$189 – University of Miami rate
$269 – AAA rate
$299 – regular rate (corporate rate)
$299 – hotels.com (Best Rate Guaranteed, ha!)
I am confident $189 would be the lowest rate but to make sure I could check a few other online booking sites. Then, I would call the Ritz-Carlton main reservation center (800-542-8680) and the property (305-644-4680)–and ask if there are any weekend specials, visitor rates, etc. (I love to find deals).
Spending a couple of minutes (and discovering this secret, negotiated code) saved me $110 PER NIGHT (or $80 per night off my AAA baseline rate). Places to find these magic codes include FlyerTalk.com, magazines, e-mail subscriptions, your company’s HR department, and so on. Any other suggestions?
Please note: now on the Ritz-Carlton website (under Special Rates) it says “Proof of eligibility required.” It was not there in September. When checking in, you may be asked to prove your association to get a negotiated rate (for any rate code, not just this one).
Incorporate this strategy into your travel skill arsenal and save big money on lodging. Even if you want to stay at a Ritz-Carlton.
Share responses by leaving a comment below or contacting me directly by email (CharlesMcCool -at- gmail -dot- com).
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2011, Charles McCool
Many years back, I bought an annual membership to Best Fares. I spent the year looking at their negotiated rates but never bought anything. I always found better prices on my own. After all, I wrote the book on finding airfare deals.
Although it is not a stated McCool Travel 2011 resolution, I want to revisit travel memberships to see if they offer better deals.
What is a travel membership? There are travel membership clubs and discount membership clubs. Are they the same?
My definition is that a travel membership is any group that offers its members negotiated discounts. I could start a McCool Travel Discount Membership Club. Want in?
Travel memberships are different than passes. You could buy an annual Delta Sky Club membership–or is it an annual pass? I will cover travel passes in a future post.
I have been a AAA member for 25 years and a Costco member for about 20 years. I am member of the Hertz #1 Club Gold and National’s Emerald Club (they are free). I regularly buy Entertainment books. I save money with these travel memberships–more than the annual fee–that is why I continue to be a member. These are kinds of travel memberships, along with AARP and many others.
I am curious about Spirit Airline’s $9 club and Peter Greenberg’s Insider group.
I will explore other travel memberships in 2011.
What are your travel membership experiences? Good ones? Bad ones?
Happy travels.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).
© 2010, Charles McCool
It is simple; you will pay less for a vacation (cruise, safari, tour package) when you buy through the right travel agency (preferred seller).
In a previous post, I mentioned that All Seasons Travel consistently offers the lowest prices on Disney Cruises (lower than Disney or any other travel agent). I have booked two Disney cruises and one Disney vacation for my family through them. For Disney vacations, look for an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” designation. If you want to use a different cruise company, find the preferred seller and you will get the best rate.
Disney is on my mind because I received an e-mail newsletter from Mousesavers.com today. It is a great, perhaps the best, source of discount Disney information. Mousesavers.com is an example of doing one thing very well. Their specialty is Disney discounts and deals. If you are using a different travel brand, hopefully you can find a similar resource for it.
You can buy discount tickets from AAA, Costco, eBay, Craigslist, at the nearby tourist stands, and other sources. Most people agree, do not stand in line at the park to buy your tickets. What is your favorite Disney discount source?
Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@CharlesMcCool) and subscribe to this blog (click button in upper left corner) to be among the first notified when a new entry is posted.
© 2010, Charles McCool
