tempted to nix the car this trip!

Before a few months ago I used to think this same way. In over a dozen trips I never once had a car but we rented one during our last trip because we needed to for day trips out of Vegas and I decided to just rent it for the entire week, even though we really only needed it the first few days. It wasn't a chain at all, quite the opposite in my opinion. I looked at it as a free option. We didn't touch the car if we didn't want to, and still took cabs around the strip if we didn't feel like walking. But the car was there if we wanted. And the rates are so cheap in Vegas, I think I paid less than $25/day, pretty much the tip for a limo or cost of a cab for a single airport trip. Net net it was actually a savings compared to any other option if we still wanted to do the things we did (e.g. helicopter tour, hoover dam, Red Rock canyon loop, red rock casino, some other stuff) and we were able to do things at our own times and own pace versus taking tours. Which was ideal for me since I'm awful at sticking to any timetable in Vegas. There were a lot of days I didn't even touch the car, but I never felt I needed to get more use out of it.

Another side benefit - I thought driving in Vegas was a lot of fun and somewhat cathartic. In my area driving sucks, nothing but tight congested roads and bumper to bumper traffic. I loved being able to floor the accelerator for long stretches of road out there. Heck I'd rent a car again just for that!

 

I recommend booking a car using the USAA discount (if you're a USAA member) and having a credit card that offers primary insurance on rental cars (ex. United Explorer card). This alone should save you $20+ per day.

 

Not sure then why you're being so insistent that a car won't work for other people.

Me, I miss it when I don't have access to a car but like the OP I usually have a need for transportation in between the airport runs.

 

I used to be very anti-rental car despite having one for part or all of my trips. I just felt it was a killjoy. That and my husband used to be one of those guys who thinks if the car is parked it's a waste of money....gotta use it. But, I can't drink like I used to, so we did use the car more last time and it was handy. It's nice to not have the responsibility of a car. It's one more freedom to not have car keys in your pocket or purse while on vacation. Not everybody feels that way, but, I do.

Everybody does Vegas their own way. I pay extra for a car rental rider on our car insurance and one of our credit cards has extra coverage. But, my husband always takes the extra insurance because he doesn't want to pay the deductible. To each their own.

Also, the gas thing. My husband took the option last time where you bring the car back empty. And we compared their price to the price of gas in the city. And it was cheaper. Not by a lot but it was cheaper. So we wouldn't have gained anything to fill up the car before bringing it back.

Anyhow, I think if you find a good enough deal. And there's good info out there on how to get a deal. There's no harm in having a rental car. You have to figure if you use it to and from the airport, to get room supplies and off strip touring one day, you pretty much paid for the rental.

I think if you have the mentality that 1/2 or 2/3 of the time, the car is parked and you're off having a good time and that's not a waste of money, you're OK. I think it's reasonable to go do whatever with the car in the morning and early afternoon. And then put the car away and start with the boozing. If you feel you HAVE to use the rental car all the time because you paid for it, then yeah, it's going to be a buzzkill.

I should mention that I'm pro-valet. I don't park the car myself in Vegas unless I have to. I tip on the way in and on the way out. I wish there was valet everywhere, I freaking love it. I don't understand people who won't valet. But, that's a consideration for the anti-valet lobby.

 

you both need to give it a rest already. this is supposed to be a friendly board, not a board to insult others. each opinion should at least be respected. Foos stated why he rents a car, he doesn't deserved to get bashed by a non rental person.

we need to come to an agreement that some people will not rent a car, while others cannot live without renting a car. No big deal, if you don't want to rent a car then don't rent a car. but don't go bashing someone because he chooses to rent a car. :Þ threads like this one get closed down if the bashing continues.

 

Bashed? I don't believe I ever said anything to bash him... except maybe that I do math better after he called me a moron and posted a video. You should go back and check. He's called me a moron, a maroon, and a troll.

So, I think you're checking the wrong individual.

 

[YOUTUBE]7pdWAcK6Eh8[/YOUTUBE]

 

whatever, just give it a rest already.

 

just thought I would sneak it in before this thread gets closed,I`m getting the car!

 

Our full size rental is $156 Mon-Sat next month. Both the DS and DH's corporate rates were over $200.

 

Yep

I'm w/Foos on this one, We Priceline (Name your own price) from $12 a day & get a pick from the same cars, @McCarran most people pay $25-65 a Day for.

/Shop a lil bit!