FYI a--car rentals (Nokomis: rental car, coupon, insurance)

[loves2read]

Because there are some people who ask about rentals periodically, I thought this might be useful--

I am in town for bathroom redo and needed to rent a car. Used Costco Travel--didn't even think about it at first until I saw a post on another web site. I don't have special perks like some people but got decent price...
I don't bid on Priceline which I know some people do and find a good option...

Web site lets you compare local off-airport rentals with SRQ agencies if you set the distance large enough and will factor in if there is a coupon for weekly or weekend rental--
I don't have real completion date because tile for shower arrives later than expected and tile guy already had vacation set up so there will be break before work is all done so rented for just week initially.

I also got good heads-up about using AmEx card which goes with my Costco rental to take out car insurance per rental vs per day as the car agencies charge. This policy seems to have better coverage for damage and personal injury and will cover loss of use if car is in accident. We have full coverage through our TX car policies but trying to avoid a claim that might raise that premium. We don't use AmEx card for anything but Costco normally so didn't know about that feature. Had to signup by phone because website didn't work for my card which was eligible for the premium insurance feature, but process was fairly quick.

Two plans based on level of coverage. I took cheapest--$20 per rental--no limit on days apparently and automatically covers any car rented under my AmEx....
Had them email me the policy since I am away from billing address...some of nicest customer service people I have dealt with via phone. And as I said--enroll at no charge and only pay when rental is over and you turn in car...so &20 for a 7 day rental--makes no diff the type of car---SUV, economy, premium--all same.

[macrodome2]

I've used a coupon site for rental cars- RetailMeNot.com. Got a really good Avis deal where the guy at Ft Myers didn't want to give me the car for the 2 weeks at that price. He kept trying to upgrade me to the point that I finally had to say, "look, I'm not interested in an upgrade, can I just have the car I reserved." I had reserved a Nissan Altima, but he was trying to get me into a luxury car or big SUV.

[craigiri]

Sometimes the cars at the airports are crazy expensive - while those in the city itself are less.
In these cases those flying in can take UBER (cheap!) from the airport to their hotel or house and then rent in the city...there was one time last year when cars were $45 per day at the airport and 22 per day in the city.

This is especially important when you need to rent for weeks on end.

[loves2read]

don't think Uber is much of an option if you fly into TPA and needs to go to Nokomis