Guide to Rental Car Companies & the Cars They Offer
by
Jessica Howell
More
than 80 percent of all leisure and business travel occurs
on the nation's highways, according to the Travel Industry
Association of America. Whether by bus, personal automobile
or rentals, millions of travelers are packing up for
long hauls across some of the most scenic of U.S. highways
and byways.
While
most families own or lease their own vehicle, many face
the obstacles often associated with extended travel:
putting unwanted miles on your car, normal wear and
tear, and the possibility that an unreliable car may
not make it to Point B in one piece.
If
you don't have your own vehicle, or if you face on of
the fore mentioned problems, road trips may seem like
a distant dream. Thankfully, you won't have to set aside
your cross-continent plans for long - America is host
to many, many automobile rental companies who would
be happy to set you up with a vehicle.
To
find out which rental company suits your taste, preference
and budget best, read on. We've compiled a list of some
of the nation's top renters — and were making it easy
for you to choose so that you can get out on the open
road in no time at all.
Alamo
With locations all over the world (and we do mean all
over) Alamo
is a great choice when traveling overseas. Tours are
nice, but sometime you really need to get out there
and explore on your own. Whether you're in the United States,
Belgium or Italy, you'll find an Alamo that will seat
between two and eight people.
A
well designed website makes booking a rental online
a breeze. We especially like the driving directions
and road trip games for kids that Alamo provides on
their website under "travel tools."
Avis
The world has always known that "Avis tries harder." And now it shows more than ever.
For those who frequently require rental cars, you'll
be happy to find that Avis' frequent renter program
gives way to great deals and even offers free weekends
to repeat customers throughout the year.
An
easy-to-use website makes planning your trip easier
than ever. You can choose from 16 car classes, some
of which feature free XM Satellite Radio.
Budget
Rent A Car
Founded back in 1958, Budget Rent A Car serves cost-conscious travelers worldwide
with nearly 2,000 locations. Offering a wide range of
vehicles, from small compact cars to hefty SUVs to moving
trucks, Budget keeps customers on the lookout with last-minute
deals online and special weekday rates.
Known
for it's "Fastbreak" program, which offers
a virtually paperless transaction and speedy service,
Budget will keep get you in and get you out quickly
without having to drop a pretty penny.
Enterprise
Consistently ranked top in customer service, Enterprise Rental was originally created as a leasing company and
still offers the option to buy their cars. With over
120 models, you're sure to find one to suit you — and
if you like it well enough on vacation — you may want
to park it permanently in your driveway!
Boasting
locations within a 15-minute drive from 90 percent of
the U.S. population, you won't have to look far for
Enterprise. Working to make things easier for you, Enterprise
also offers 24-hour roadside assistance, pick-up service
and allows an additional driver at no added charge.
Need a car for a month or more? They have plans to accommodate.
From two-door economy cars to pickup trucks, Enterprise
makes car renting easy.
Hertz
Recent introduction of the Hertz Fun Collection has made renting a car fun again. Vehicles
like Jeep Wrangler, Mazda Miata, Chevrolet HHR and Hummer
H3 can be specifically reserved and guaranteed at locations
across the United States and beyond. An added perk: all Fun Collection
vehicles come equipped with Sirius Satellite Radio —
with over 120 channels guaranteed to satisfy every picky
driver.
If
you're looking to make a classy entrance during your
travels, you may want to consider the Hertz Prestige
collection which offers a line of superior performance
vehicles including Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover. With
locations all over North America, Hertz makes it easy
to rent a car. In fact, Hertz offers an industry first:
brand and model reservability for specific cars and
SUVs at 23 major airport locations for it's #1 Club
and Club Gold members.
For
ROAD & TRAVEL's top tips on renting a car, click
here.
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