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Is a rental worth it?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by markr520, Apr 14, 2013.

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  1. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    This will be my first trip that I've booked a rental car for more than 1 day. We're arriving June 30, and I'll be in Vegas with my wife and my brother, and mother for a couple days. We're staying at the Monte Carlo. My wife, brother, and I have all been to Vegas in the last 3 years and are all accustomed to walking. The thing is... how bad is the heat? My mom is 63 and not extremely mobile. The good thing is that it seems like it won't be a super busy week given the prices of rooms. I'm just wanting to hear from others if they've found a rental car to be more of a hinderance and hassle than its worth.

    For reference sake, and since cost is important to us, I'm booked at 114 total with Thrifty for the 4 days.

    Thanks!
     
  2. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    If your mom has difficulty walking, that alone answers your question. It should be pretty hot by then but if you use covered parking options the car will cool down quickly. Unless you are comfortable paying for cabs or riding the bus with your mom when she can't walk, I can't think of another way for you guys to get around. As for hassle factor, I've always found it to be minimal.
     
  3. atom

    atom High-Roller

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    114 is a decent price for a four day rental. You might find something lower if you keep looking though, so it's worth checking every so often between now and your trip. The rental car is certainly worth it. It will likely cost half the rental cost just to get to and from the airport (assuming a cab), and parking will be free at MC, so you can use it as little or as much as you like. The best part is you can give door to door service to your passengers, and your mom will be more comfortable, less tired, and you'll be able to do and see more. One tip, when you travel from one place to another on the strip it is usually best to take one of the roads to the east or west that parallels Las Vegas Blvd until you are at a cross street near your destination. Driving on LV Blvd can be slow, distracting and there are more obstacles (pedestrians and vehicles) to watch out for.
     
  4. liteman

    liteman Old Timer

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    Try rebooking. I just got 7 days for 79.96 from Thrifty.
     
  5. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    Liteman, what dates? Did you have an extra promo code or something? I used Chep
     
  6. maineguy

    maineguy Low-Roller

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    If you use american Express to pay for car you can get full coverage for 25 bucks (total) by signing up for it ahead of time. I needed it, having liability only.
     
  7. bigal3967

    bigal3967 Tourist

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    We were there in June of last year and It was VERY hot. Thrifty has a deal right now for a Dodge Avenger or similar for $16.70 per day. You will pay more that that for the Taxi ride from the airport and back.
     
  8. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

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    June can be 115 degrees

    If it is a hot summer, expect to be able to cook anything on the concrete. The sun will be relentless. Buy WATER to have with you. You can also ask a cocktail waitress for bottles of water and they will bring them to you. Or ask the front desk for bottled water.

    I have also been there in june/July when it was only in the 90s and humid(humid for vegas that is).

    It seems you are getting the car for your Mom, which is a good thing. Make it a Mom's trip, you will make her weekend.

    1. Does your Mom love to drink?
    2. Does your Mom love to gamble?
    3. Does Mom enjoy seeing her two sons intoxicated?

    If the answer to those questions is yes, then the car is probably not needed as you won't be going anywhere.

    If Mom does not gamble or drink then she needs other entertainment. Which brings the car into play.

    Hoover Dam.
    Downtown.
    Shopping Malls.
    Shows.
    Other resorts she would like to see.

    For me, I love liquor and I love to gamble. So, I never rent a car. Much safer and probably cheaper for me to pay others to drive me around. If I had a wreck while intoxicated, I am sure the cost would be 500 times what I have paid so far in cab fares and limo fares since I have been going to Las Vegas.
     
  9. liteman

    liteman Old Timer

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    I am booked for 5/3-5/10. No code, just my Blue Chip # which is their rewards program. It also allows you to go right upstairs and your car will be waiting. I just rebooked again this morning for 74.70. I check a couple times a day.
     
  10. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    And some cards cover ti automatically. What Amex do you have?
     
  11. ItsJustMe

    ItsJustMe Low-Roller

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    He's probably referring to the AMEX Premium Car Rental Protection for $24.95. It makes AMEX as your primary insurer so if anything happens, you file with AMEX, not your car insurer. The $24.95 covers your entire rental up to 30 days.

    This way you personal insurance never gets involved in any claim.
     
  12. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Ill have to look into that.

    I usually use my personal insurance for liability and the fact that I rent on my AMEX covers everything else.

    Does this AMEX insurance for purchase cover down time of a vehicle if it is out of commission?
     
  13. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    And, please, tip the waitress.

    For the life of me, I do not understand why people do not tip for the water. The waitress still had to work for it.
     
  14. bswim

    bswim High-Roller

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    It's the American way anymore "the world revolves around ME!" :(
     
  15. Kobra2848

    Kobra2848 VIP Whale

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    I have only rented a car once in all the trips I have taken and that was a couple of years ago when I went with my father. We were staying at Planet Hollywood and my parents idea of Vegas is the casino's on Boulder Highway. I also wanted to visit the Shelby plant out by the Speedway. It turned out that my dad didn't hate the strip as much as he thought since the car stayed parked most of the trip.
    Mark
     
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