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Does anyone have any experience with renting a car with the shortage going on?
I have a trip planned to Alaska in late June and I'd hate to get up there only to find out that they don't have a car waiting for me. I guess I should call a day or two before to make sure they'll have one ready.
We also are going to Alaska June 30th. We did our rental car months ago. Now youre making me worried it wont be there when we get there. Funnily enough there is a rental place at ANC airport and another one about a mile away. We rented from the one down the road which hopefully will have a car for us, it was also significantly cheaper.
Never rent from the airport if at all possible. We have 5 people and my sister is coming too and has 6 people. If they dont have vans for us we will be stranded and our destination is hours from Anchorage.
Just read an article about car renting...maybe this morning's NYT. It specifically focused on Alaska. Tone was really poor...reservations, but no cars. trying to buy cars and get them on site, but not very fortunate with manufacturers unable to produce.
I would get on the horn with the local counter every couple of days, and every day before you get there, and make sure they know your name...on a first name basis...and make sure they know to hold a car for you.
Patience is a virtue at that point. Luckily.. I'm going to Santa Monica and it's a vacation drive along Route 66.. If I had to spend an extra day there.. Wouldn't be the end of the world.
More than that.. I'd start getting upset probably.
yelling and screaming won't make a car appear. My tact will be that i'm the one NOT yelling and screaming should it happen.
There are only "bits and pieces" of Route 66 left over. Since you're coming from far away, you'll want to take a side trip up/down Route 1, while it's still open. Go as far as Oregon. Trust me on this one.
You might want to rent a Vette. They get really decent mileage, and handle a lot better than a Camry. (They also "GO" when you push the loud pedal.) Camry's do not.
We also are going to Alaska June 30th. We did our rental car months ago. Now youre making me worried it wont be there when we get there. Funnily enough there is a rental place at ANC airport and another one about a mile away. We rented from the one down the road which hopefully will have a car for us, it was also significantly cheaper.
Never rent from the airport if at all possible. We have 5 people and my sister is coming too and has 6 people. If they dont have vans for us we will be stranded and our destination is hours from Anchorage.
My suggestion is to call the office days a few times and make sure they have cars. I'm not getting on that plane unless there is a guarantee a car will be waiting for me.
I might even call a few hours before my flight leaves and ask "I'm going to be at your office in about 8 hours. Will a car be waiting for me?"
It's a long flight to end up without a rental car. I don't want to spend my entire trip Ubering around Anchorage lol
While we have doubled booked hotels before with some allowing cancelation up to 4 PM the day of I wonder if you can double book for car rentals. We have never ever had to do this but that might be something to look into.
I think with Alaska Cruises not happening and instead people flying in I don't think that would work there but maybe at larger airports domestically you could look into double booking for safety.
While we have doubled booked hotels before with some allowing cancelation up to 4 PM the day of I wonder if you can double book for car rentals. We have never ever had to do this but that might be something to look into.
I think with Alaska Cruises not happening and instead people flying in I don't think that would work there but maybe at larger airports domestically you could look into double booking for safety.
I'd love to double book to make sure I have a rental, but right now it appears that there are absolutely ZERO rental cars available through the major outlets in Anchorage the days of my stay.
Due to the price/scarcity of rental cars, I'm hearing of people renting U-Hauls for $39/day, and just using those.
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