On Our Way Stateside... Advice Please...

izzie :

if you do not return your car to point of origin , you'll likely be charged a DROP-OFF FEE . make sure your contract states the maximum charge .
TALLY HO !
hbg

Okeydokey - will do. Cheers.

If that Roomsaver is the same thing I see around in shops sometimes, Diane and I were told (well, she was, it was her turn to check out a motel) that it's best to make the regular reservation, and then show up with the coupon in hand.

I don't know if that's true, one desk person's word, but unless I hear otherwise, I'd pay attention.

On the other hand, I like not to be tied down to a place, even if it costs me a few dollars more to be.. happy.

I, of course, don't know how it works if you just plop into a town and check in. Last quite long trip I took involved a corgi, and I had pre-notated dog friendly places to aim for, and not known about that Roomsaver thing.

Check your vehicle's liability insurance - does it cover U.S. rentals?

Do any of your credit cards?

If your auto policy covers U.S. rentals - make sure the liability coverage is at minimum $2,000,000 as hamburger mentioned (higher is better considering that you'll be in Texas and Chicago - Cook County is one of the hell holes for insurance litigation)

Again, if your auto policy doesn't cover U.S. rentals, go over that rental agreement for liability coverage. It is crucial.

Make sure the rental company knows where the vehicle will be travelling - some have travel exclusions (brendalee and I once got one that wouldn't let us go closer to NYC than 50 kilometres ) - if you run into some kind of problem and you're somewhere they don't expect you to be, there can be difficulties i.e. the liability coverage won't actually cover you.

Dare we mention that between Texas and Chicago lies New Mexico?

Sometimes you can call a motel after 11:00 p.m., and talk to the night auditor. They get bored, and sometimes are able to quote better prices than other front desk people. Get a confirmation number, and call long enough in advance to cancel any prior reservation without penalty.

Set and I did that on our way to our first Abuzz get-together in Salem, Mass.

I had the coupon. Went in. The manager told me I needed a reservation. I went to the phone in the lobby - called in my reservation - went back to the front desk - used the coupon. Weird.

Actually I did it once in Syracuse as well. Same dealio. Called the chain's reservation line from the lobby phone, then went to the front desk with the coupon and my reservation number. Weird.

Ok, confirmation, ehBeth, I'll believe you. Actually hilarious.

Now that's useful, Roger. If you're like me and don't always want a destination, y'er out of luck on that. But it is still good to know.



I remember some twiddling I did re the SF meet, and talking to someone at a hotel late at night who said, why didn't you just call us (re whatever online routine I was doing at the time).

One of hamburger's latest strategies is to get the best possible online quote and then call the hotel directly and ask them if they can do better.

He's scored some good deals that way - I think there is a hotel in Berlin that is still wondering what happened.

Oh thanks all - all good advice. Think I will be coming back for more questions over the next two weeks....

Am taking the advice onboard.... and thinking now about the implications of the heat on me and S-boy, so am going to probably have to plan a little better - map book - need to get a map book...

HA - NEED TO GET A PASSPORT FIRST....and shoes.... then we can sit down and make a bit more of a plan expecially if we're meeting up with folk and need dates in place.

Ought to go to bed soon and start this up tomorrow.

Still VERRA excited Thanks all. x

and point of origin means point of origin as we learned in D.C. by listening in on shouters

If people dropped their car off in the airport parking lot instead of the rental company's lot ... add $200 to the bill baby ... that was in the mid 90's ... I can't imagine the cost now. That also means not in front of the airport terminal that houses the rental pick-up counter ... that was also not the point of origin

oh... grumpy car folk! K - another one for the list. Oh gosh, need Tulip here as "minute taker" :wink:

Really do appreciate all this... have already taken onboard things that hadn't occured to me at all.

hamburger is the King of trip-planners. I've learned a few things from him over the years.

I may finally have surpassed him as a car-packer

just remember... no matter where you are.... if it's a beautiful day... if the sun is bright and there's not a cloud to be seen... the sky will be Carolina Blue....I hate you're going to miss God's country.

Too true Bear.

Hey, Izzie! If you're driving from Dallas to Kansas, you'll likely be going right through Tulsa! (Take Hwy. 75) The eastern part of Oklahoma is much more scenic than the central and western parts.

Please do plan to stop in Tulsa...at least for a bit. SonofEva and I will be here 'til July 26th, and we'd dearly love to take you and your son to lunch or dinner!

Hey BPB - love a Carolina Blue sky - hoping one day to the East Coast - from Boston to FL - I know the Carolinas are a special place on earth - they will definitely be paid a visit in the future.


Eva - would love to see you and SonOfEva.... We won't be around there 'til about 6-8th August I think.....en route to Kansas. You around then girlie???????

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggghhh

ANYONE..... looking up Chi-town - O'Hare is North of Midway... RIGHT????

think we are going to have to fly back - not sure we can manage 2K miles....

An inexpensive helper:
http://gps.about.com/od/beforeyoubuy/bb/Rental_Car_GPS.htm

Some of the best pizza I've tasted:
http://www.exchequerpub.com/

Oh Roger, somehow I missed your post - thanku for that - I think I will get hold of a map book and maybe have to plan a little better if it's going to be that hot. I may have good or bad days, but if I'm not 100% on one day we can just stay somewhere cheap and cheerful, with airconditioning - little fella is exceptional in understanding what Mom can and can't do, and is also very good at assisting me - he knows my meds and stuff like that. What I'm hoping is that after the flight to Dallas and a few days rest and acclimatising, that I will just chomping at the bit to get going.

Still no definite decisions about where - my niece contacted me this morning from Houston - well, my ex (her Uncle) did NOT go and see her when he was in Dallas a few weeks back - SO..... AuntyIz must do - I am real close to my neice - she's 26 and soon to be married (if she has her way!) - she hasn't seen her baby cousin for years - so..... plans look like they are changing already.

Ohhh... still verra excited - trying to energy right now


Alex - thanks for that hun - HA, last time FQsis and I used a TOM TOM we had a row with it. FQsis was shouting at the voice when TOM TOM whose name was TIM sent us down a dead end in the middle of Bristol. I wil ask when I book the car tho - it does seem like it would be a grand idea ....... now if I can just figure out how it works!!!!!!

Houston contains one of my very fav A2K'rs!