Hiring a car in the US
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2016
Location: England, United Kingdom
Posts: 13
Hiring a car in the US
Hi Guys,
Me and a friend are travelling to the USA next August and would like some information around hiring a car and whether we would be eligible.
When we visit, I’ll be 23 nearly 24 and will have been driving for 4 and a half years. I hold a full UK license, with a fully clean license. I’ve been to the US a number of times before (not sure if that makes any difference) and have driven last time I was in the US in my family friends car.
My other option would be to borrow my family friends car providing I’m on the insurance, but would they need to be in the car with me at all times?
I’ve read that most places won’t let you hire a car unless you’re 25, but I’m not sure if that’s true or false.
Thanks!
Me and a friend are travelling to the USA next August and would like some information around hiring a car and whether we would be eligible.
When we visit, I’ll be 23 nearly 24 and will have been driving for 4 and a half years. I hold a full UK license, with a fully clean license. I’ve been to the US a number of times before (not sure if that makes any difference) and have driven last time I was in the US in my family friends car.
My other option would be to borrow my family friends car providing I’m on the insurance, but would they need to be in the car with me at all times?
I’ve read that most places won’t let you hire a car unless you’re 25, but I’m not sure if that’s true or false.
Thanks!
#2
Re: Hiring a car in the US
Most places will let you hire before 25, just may charge an extra fee per day.
#3
Re: Hiring a car in the US
Depending on the State (these rules vary by state), you do not need to be named on the friend's family auto insurance policy to drive their vehicle. AFAIK, most, if not all, policies carry a provision for uninsured drivers. If my daughter visits, she can drive my vehicle without being named on it and if an accident occurs my insurance will still cover it.
#4
Re: Hiring a car in the US
Prepare to pay surcharges, hefty ones too.
I know Avis charge somewhere around $25-$30 plus tax per day on top of your base rental rate.
That said, look at all the age requirement policies of rental companies, they may differ.
I know Avis charge somewhere around $25-$30 plus tax per day on top of your base rental rate.
That said, look at all the age requirement policies of rental companies, they may differ.
#5
Re: Hiring a car in the US
If you are just visiting, it used to be a lot cheaper to rent the car from the UK. There may be other age restrictions in the UK.
#6
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Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 334
Re: Hiring a car in the US
So the simple answer is yes, I've done this literally hundreds of times for work over the past couple years (and I'm 24) without a fee.
The long answer is it's not always that straight forward. Most rental companies will charge you a fee for being under 25 (or 23, in some cases) the best thing you can do to avoid that is to find a CDP (Basically a rate code) which waives the fee. Most large corporations have these and their pricing/structure may vary. You can also find them for organisations like AAA, which often removes the fee too. One thing I will add is you technically have to evidence that you represent that corporation to get the rate. Whilst I always had that evidence to hand, after a few hundred rentals with Hertz, I've never once been asked for it.
The long answer is it's not always that straight forward. Most rental companies will charge you a fee for being under 25 (or 23, in some cases) the best thing you can do to avoid that is to find a CDP (Basically a rate code) which waives the fee. Most large corporations have these and their pricing/structure may vary. You can also find them for organisations like AAA, which often removes the fee too. One thing I will add is you technically have to evidence that you represent that corporation to get the rate. Whilst I always had that evidence to hand, after a few hundred rentals with Hertz, I've never once been asked for it.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: Hiring a car in the US
... the best thing you can do to avoid that is to find a CDP (Basically a rate code) which waives the fee. Most large corporations have these and their pricing/structure may vary. You can also find them for organisations like AAA, which often removes the fee too. One thing I will add is you technically have to evidence that you represent that corporation to get the rate. Whilst I always had that evidence to hand, after a few hundred rentals with Hertz, I've never once been asked for it.
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2016
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 239
Re: Hiring a car in the US
+100 to that. If you dont actually work or belong to the corporation or organization for which the rate code belongs to then if you have to make a claim they will discover that fact and void the insurance leaving you footing the entire bill.
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 334
Re: Hiring a car in the US
In hindsight I should've mentioned to use only those that have family and friend usage, of which many do. AAA as cited doesn't require membership either. For example our corporate rate is applicable for "family & friends" and removes the underage fee. I'd post our code if I could find it, work always books it on my behalf.
#10
Re: Hiring a car in the US
Buying the CDW insurance is probably going to be higher for under 25.
Why are you wanting to book in the States and not in the UK?
Why are you wanting to book in the States and not in the UK?