On today’s podcast episode, we’ll talk about Bonvoying Barclays, we’ll discuss which Premium cards are keepers, then we’ll share everything we know about car rentals.
The Rental Car Game
Watch here:
Or listen here (or click “Follow” on the player below to select your preferred podcast app instead):
Giant Mailbag
(01:08) – One listener tells us how he Bonvoyed Barclays
Main Event: The Rental Car Game
(04:09) – Why don’t we talk much about car rentals?
(06:23) – Always join the car rental program and attach your number
(11:37) – Car rental status via credit card
(14:20) – Which rental car elite statuses matter?
(22:06) – Status matching
(26:50) – Earning free rental days
(40:27) – Rental Car Savings
(48:57) – Avis First
(51:54) – Do you need anything special to rent cars internationally?
(57:02) – Any favorite programs or programs you avoid?
Question of the Week
(1:04:47) – What should you do if you’re an intermediate player, trying to go from one or two credit cards to five or six, or seven to ten?
(1:10:58) – Read more about which premium cards are keepers here.
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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Interested in a comparison of which cards with primary rental car insurance are best…assuming most people have a few choices of which card to use… ie Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X…
Another tip for saving money on rental cars that can work with certain itineraries. If you stay at a hotel the night you arrive that has a free airport shuttle and is close to offsite rentals, could save some of the uber fare. I did that on a trip a couple years ago and renting offsite saved a bunch of money. I did Uber over instead of walking, but it was a much much cheaper Uber fare than airport pickup would have been. Plus, I didn’t arrive until after the offsite location was closed.
And for bank portals, usually I’ve found much higher prices, but I did find an Avis rental recently that was about 35% cheaper than even Autoslash ever found. But, I had to cancel the trip due to a family health emergency.
Japan is another country that absolutely requires the IDP, at least in Hokkaido.
United Quest card offers 2 $40 United travel bank credits per year for rentals of 2+ days at Avis/Budget if you book through their link. I don’t yet have personal experience with this benefit.
I believe Hertz loyalty program members are called “repeat offenders.”
Last summer in Italy (Venice airport) we observed someone with a reservation being turned away because he didn’t have an International Driver’s License. I can’t remember the company, but it was a major one. I wouldn’t risk traveling to Italy without an IDL at this point.
Re Costco rentals — for a number of companies, the additional driver fee is waived, particularly in the U.S. This is particularly beneficial if your additional driver is not a spouse.
Sometimes there are friends and family rental car discounts related to corporate ones. Avis has a form I send to my family to go along with their discount code. Also, sometimes certain cars get special discounts. My AVIS code brings hybrids to the midsize price, very nice for long drives.
There has been a big crackdown on. IDP requirements in Italy, with many, many reports of people being turned away. A month ago friends who’ve rented at least once a year for close to 25 years were denied a car at MXP. The only counter releasing cars without an IDP was Sixt
A number of countries in Europe still require an IDP. Traditionally, as in Italy, no one would check at the time if rental but if you came into contact with the police you could receive a hefty fine.
One country that has recently (2021) eliminated the requirement for an IDP is Greece.
Finally, another case where you’ll need an IDP: scooter rental in Northern Thailand. Police set up roadblocks on the edge of Chiang Mai and assess an “instant cash fine” if you don’t have an IDP, or if the IDP is not properly endorsed for motorcycles.
The only time I have needed an international driver’s license was to drive a go cart in the streets of Tokyo https://amateurtraveler.com/tokyo-itinerary-3-days/#maricar
I have never rented in Japan but am planning a future trip. From what I read you need an IDP in Japan and are also advised to make sure you get your passport stamped on entry (i.e., avoid automated gates) because at least some rental companies want to see your date of entry into the country. No idea if this info is correct.
You need an IDP in Japan. They absolutely will check it.
I wanted to mention that I have gotten to experience Avis First at Denver while they were trialing it as a Preferred Plus member who had just reserved a midsized car. As the partner of an ambulatory wheelchair user, it was AWESOME. I can’t express how much of a better experience it is for people with disabilities, where boarding an airport shuttle can be a challenge.
Got picked up right at the terminal, no wait in line. We will gladly pay extra at Denver from now on to have access to that service.
Waited over 2.5 hours at Denver Airport for enterprise car.. It was over 85 degrees and in the sun… They did hand our bottled waters
the Enterprise line at Denver is always ridiculous
Whenever renting from Avis or Budget, always check Costco travel. I always see better rates and more perks than booking through Avis or Budget directly. I compare those rates with Hertz direct (presidents circle) benefits. Not sure why bloggers never discuss Costco travel if savings is of the esssence.
Nick has previously mentioned Costco. But, good reminder. Thanks
Well, I’ve only had a Costco membership for the last year or two for starters — the closest Costco to me is 2.5hrs away. I also always check the various warehouse club membership boxes on Autoslash. The handful of times that I’ve checked Costco Travel, I have yet to find one where the price I saw there was less than what I saw through Autoslash, though I’ve heard from some readers that they sometimes find it better. It’s rarely top of mind for me.
I’m a big Autoslash fan (and user), but, yeah, Costco has become my entry point because they do often have the best prices.
A couple of things about IDP.
1. In June of this year, Europcar in mxp and I think thoughout Italy requires IDP. They disclosed it on website at time of rental and the person in front of me was denied their rental as they didn’t have. Previously, I had no trouble renting from Sixt and hertz in Italy without- just be aware it isn’t just a country specific issue- can be different for different rental companies.
2. AAA now lets you get an IDP online- which was much easier for me and came pretty fast. I think the pricing was quite similar.
And I will again ask for your opinions regarding what to do as a New York resident renting in the us. Is anything still primary? Capital one?
Thanks
I’ve rented in more than a dozen countries (including Italy) and was never asked for one until this year in Rome (the Sixt inside Waldorf Astoria Rome).
She claimed 95%+ of guests at the hotel have one when they rent, which seams incredulous. She essentially said if I didn’t have one she wouldn’t let me take the car without the CDW (which I usually decline) with roadside assistance in case I got pulled over and arrested. Had I not been in a rush I might’ve tried another rental agency but I caved and wasted a few hundred.
do you have a link to the online IDP application? It says I can fill out the form online but I still have to print it or mail it in…..
https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html#HowToApply
I meant to tell Carrie to add a note that AAA now lets you apply for the IDP online! We recorded this and literally the next day an email came from Autoslash saying that AAA recently added this.
Interesting DPs regarding needing an IDP to rent in Italy. In May and June, I rented from Avis at MXP, Hertz near the cruise port in Civitacchia, and Sicily by Car in Sicily. None of them asked for an IDP. I haven’t rented from Europcar in years though — interesting to hear that some are asking for it!
Europcar often has very good capital one shopping deals- in the 30% range. It was otherwise perfectly adequate although it did take a while to get the car.
I did get a 30% rate with them recently, but only after our trip to Europe.
Regarding which card, I’ve been using the US Bank Altitude Reserve for primary CDW as a NY resident. I believe it’s still primary for Venture X also, though I’ve not recently checked the guide to benefits.
I was asked for my IDP in Turino at Budget last fall.