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to rent a car or not to rent a car, that is the question.

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by chantellevegas, Jan 1, 2016.

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  1. chantellevegas

    chantellevegas Low-Roller

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    how do you do it when you're offered a limo by your hotel to/from airport? Is it worth renting a car still if you plan to venture off the strip a little bit or go to freemont, or would you just take a cab?

    car is booked at $90 plus gas and insurance for 4 days. I expect we'll drive places only 2 of the 4 days. So once you work that in, plus your valet tips, is there a point in renting?
     
  2. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    If that's all you're gonna do, then IMHO, no.

    Having a car DOES give you the freedom to explore beyond Downtown and the Strip. Some mornings I wake up and want to drive to Sams Town or the Eastside Cannery, M Resort, Primm, heck, even Laughlin! There are times that I need some "non-casino time" and having a car provides me that freedom.
     
  3. charliepeete

    charliepeete Low-Roller

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    i have always had a car...........from the midwest and i average 250 miles on the car for a three day trip .......but i stay in summerlin or green valley areq and i drive all over vegas
     
  4. mganut

    mganut Well-Known Member

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    When you consider the $20 - $25 tip for the limo driver each way, the car would only be a net cost to you of $40 - $50 for the four days.

    Not a bad price for the convenience I would think.
     
  5. Rodent Pack

    Rodent Pack S.S. Minnow

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    I've always enjoyed the freedom that a rental car provides us.

    I imagine that if you only plan on going from A to B without a lot of other stops I cab would be convenient in not needing to find parking.
     
  6. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    We almost always take a limo from airport to hotel. The only time we rent a car is to go to Hoover Dam, Red Rock, Mt. Washington etc. Makes little sense to rent just to go DT. I usually stay Mid-Strip and just walk to Enterprise in the Westin behind Flamingo, it is sometimes half the price of what it is in the hotel.
     
  7. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Sign up for Lyft. You generally get 5x$10 credits. On the December trip a trip downtown was $7.00 after the credit from the Palms. The 4 other trips were free or less than $2.00.
     
  8. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Do the math, consider your preferences and needs. I'd never be without a car in Vegas, some never have a car in Vegas. All that matters to you is what works for you.
     
  9. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    I generally do not rent but taxi or now uber when I fly in... this trip I am renting.. I did the math and $50 for a car vs other modes of transportation seems worth it.
     
  10. Franken Dean

    Franken Dean Newbie

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    Get the car!

    It allows you the flexibility to be spontaneous!

    (and dump the body):wink2:
     
  11. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    And for us, whether contemplating a car in destination A or some upgrade to destination B or a splurge on meal C, it's not always about the absolute bucks. I realize many travel on a strict budget, but if the trip or the bank account isn't going to suffer for a small added expenditure, why not do it? A car rental in Vegas doesn't seem like a zero-sum game. If it sits, you're out a few Jacksons, but having it available can really open things up. Sometimes it's just the convenience of getting around. Different strokes, different folks.
     
  12. Jejas

    Jejas VIP Whale

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    Even though I don't do booze in Vegas, I know having a car can impact your drinking and dinning style in Vegas.
    I found that it's more convenient to not having a car.
    Thinking outside the box, you actually have more freedom if you don't have a car.
     
  13. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

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    If you do not drink alcohol, rent a car.

    If you tend to gamble and drink, then why risk an accident? When you drive around you will see a whole lot of billboards about being injured in an accident. Guess why? Vegas drivers are very bad drivers.

    It also depends where you are staying. If at Alliante, or GVR, or Southpoint, then maybe you want a car. If you are staying on the strip, then don't rent a car.

    One more thing, it is illegal to HOLD a cell phone and talk. You can use bluetooth and/or hands free though.
     
  14. chantellevegas

    chantellevegas Low-Roller

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    we don't drink. and we usually stay on strip except for the one day we will go downtown or maybe shopping. Renting a car from the hotel for that one day costs more than the 4 day rate we got. But once I work in tips and all that, probably makes more sense just to rent it and if it sits, it sits. We don't walk the entire strip anymore either, if we want to go from Mirage to Mandalay, we drive it. lol.
     
  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Back years ago, we always did a car. Now, we never do.

    It depends on how much off strip you will be doing. To use, even going from one end of strip to other, a cab is easier. Going downtown, a cab is easier for us.

    We tend to drink wherever we go, so that has an impact. When we did have a car, we usually self parked as I hated waiting for the valet... and slightly irked at having to tip both ways.

    Taking the shuttle to the new rental facility took it over the top for us.
     
  16. WiBadgerbacker

    WiBadgerbacker Low-Roller

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    We always rent a car. We like to hit Silverton, Southpoint, M, and others off strip. This year we are staying at Aliante so it is needed. We just like the freedom. Also have friends in town that we can drive to meet.
     
  17. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    I'd pass on the limo if the car is that important and I can't find an acceptable option from a hotel. When you factor in costs to and from the airport, it's usually worth it to rent even with valet tips and only using it part of the time. However, without more specifics on your itinerary, I'm not seeing a need for a car. There are ways to get downtown for less than the cost of a cab, including Uber and the bus. And of strip "a little bit" usually isn't that expensive by cab, assuming you mean near the strip. It's when you head out to places like M Resort, GVR, Red Rock, etc. when a rental is the better way to go.


    And as an aside, since we all seem to be mature people, is it really necessary to see constant counseling on drinking and renting cars? There are people who do come to Vegas and hardly drink, and even if we do, we seem to be a community of people who generally know better than to drink and drive.
     
  18. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    If you rent, make sure they divulge all of the fees with the quoted price, they used to hold back on the local fees and taxes that every renter has to pay. Also, consider your insurance/their insurance. They have a new trick were they charge you for loss of use of the vehicle while it is being repaired, even if you are insured. Someone smashed a quarter-panel on my brother's rental while we were eating breakfast and it ended up costing him about a thousand dollars.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
  19. chantellevegas

    chantellevegas Low-Roller

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    We get insurance at home that costs $7 a day and covers 5 million liability. The car rentals always try and make us buy theirs giving us schpeels about what wouldnt be covered according to them, but our policy covers everything. In my province, our insurance is a crown corporation and there's no fine print. Its no fault insurance regardless of where you are driving as long as you buy rental coverage.

    Im going to have to crunch the numbers again. We refuse to take the deuce because its sooo slow. Uber is a new concept to us and i dont know i like that idea anyway.
     
  20. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    I always wanted to take that forty dollars per day, "We'll cover anything" insurance, and then drive the car through the front window when I return it. "Wow, I didn't think I would need that much coverage, but thanks for talking me into it!"
     
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