Renting a Car in Anchorage (to rent, hotels, buy)

[mal_flisk]

The thing about hotels, cars and other tourist necessities is that they are required to exist up here in the slow times of winter when occupancy and rental percentages are 10-15%, and the costs of maintaining these facilities must be offset with increased costs in the peak season. The lowered rates in winter are to attract locals in business trips when competition is higher. If you think it is bad for you as a tourist in summer, imagine us having to take a business trip and the necessity of pricing it 2 ways for the clients depending on the time of year. We pay the same rates as you do in the summer. And we have to do business here. If you think you're ticked, imagine us.

[akck]

We found that it was and still is cheaper to take the ferry from Juneau and drive to Anchorage than to fly and rent a car. That's including an extra couple of nights in motels. The car rental was what did it, about the same price as plane fare for two of us.

[KBS2006]

Okay, somebody amuse me here... How much does it cost to take the ferry to Juneau? How can this save any money? How much will you actually save? I just think it is a shame that such a beautiful place is reserved for the rich and famous... the average bloke cannot afford $65 a day to drive a few hundred miles and leave the car sit at a campsite while out fishing or hiking... it just ruins all the fun for me... I hear Alaska is a really tough place to live... but interesting to visit... if only it did not cost so much!!! If they could just make it affordable... then I guess everyone would go.... maybe even spend some money at the resorts or restaurants... maybe even tell their friends... nobody likes to be ripped off... then again, I just paid $29 for a couple hours of parking in downtown chicago... talk about a brutal regime with those string of Governors being dismissed... sent home crying about everything when their little scams were exposed... gee I'm not bitter, just broke trying to have fun

[Rance]

You can probably buy an old beater for that much or less and use it as you see fit.

[mal_flisk]

The winter upkeep on the hotels and restaurants still has to go on throughout the winter and the concommitent costs are inherently higher due to a necessary fuel bill to heat the aforementioned facilities. The lack of a large customer base in the winter months requires a lowered cost in winter in order to attract any of the decreased customer base and an increased cost during the summer to offset those winter maintenance costs.

Complaining about the costs doesn't change the facts. Overhead costs are a fact of business. Hard to refute and still harder to offset.

[akck]

Originally Posted by KBS2006

Okay, somebody amuse me here... How much does it cost to take the ferry to Juneau? How can this save any money?

Link to fare schedule:

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/docu..._SETariffs.pdf

It's cheaper than taking a cruise ship and you get to see the same scenery.

[Bob Blockus]

buick autos are very good for rentals. outstanding price rate. yes indeed.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by akck

Link to fare schedule:

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/docu..._SETariffs.pdf

It's cheaper than taking a cruise ship and you get to see the same scenery.

Especially if you sleep in the recliner lounge and bring your own food. A few of the ferrys even have WIFI service so you can stay in touch with us and fill us in on the trip while your under way.

[Bob Blockus]

Good rule of thumb? never drink alcohol within eight hour period before driving. yes indeed.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by Bob Blockus

Good rule of thumb? never drink alcohol within eight hour period before driving. yes indeed.

That there is an FAA rule for aircraft.