First I'd like to correct my last post. It was not Avis I recommend but rather vacationcitydotcom . They were very good and cheapest I have found.
I'll probably use them next month for a 10 day trip but I'm waiting to hear back with their quote for me.
Question in the meantime:
Has anyone used ECONOMY RENT A CAR or specifically Economy via carrentals.com? I'm looking at them based on a recommendation from another site and so far they look cheaper than I've ever seen. Daihatsu Bego or similar for $11.62 a day from ECONOMY.
It says Collision is only $9/day but they don't mention the required SLI coverage for Costa Rica which is kind of dishonest of them not to mention it, and they say "no refunds" after you book which bothers me considerably.
Collision Damage Coverage (recommended)
Coverage may cost less now than at the car counter.
Pays up to $40,000. $0 deductible and receive primary coverage.
Covers damage to vehicle due to collision, theft, vandalism, fire, or hail.
Coverage can be cancelled with 100% refund. See plan for details."
You have to be careful with these add on policies online because I saw the one offered at Expedia was totally effed up. I was getting a quote for a Terios 4x4 and then they offered me the collision/damage insurance BUT it said in the fine print that the insurance does NOT cover 4x4's. WTF?! The above $9 coverage may be the same...
I'll probably go with vacationcity.
I see that servicecarrental offers the following:
TPL Mandatory "Third Party Liability" :
180.00 USD
LPF "License Plate Fee" :
23.88 USD
Taxes & Surcharges :
203.88 USD
Base Rate & Charges
453.74 USD = $38/day
Rental Options :
0.00 USD
SLI "Supplemental Liability" :
60.00 USD
CDW Limited Protection :
180.00 USD
Protections / Coverages :
240.00 USD
Discount Coupons :
0.00 USD
Estimated Total
693.74 USD (for 12 days = $57.84 / day
Last time I rented a car at vacation city my total charge was about $58/day - I just checked - so I guess it's about "6 of one or a half dozen of the other"... By the way "vacationcity" used Thrifty - not sure if they always do, but Thrifty was fine.
It's the insurance that drives the price up so high in Costa Rica and SLI is mandatory at around $15/day - I think $20 or more a day at some places - and then collision/theft can run up to $28/day ...
So it looks like the cheapest would be carrentals dotcom but not sure I trust them.
Anyone have experience with carrentalsdotcom?
The part that bothers me about them and/or Economy rent a car is:
" This pre-paid reservation cannot be changed or refunded.