Quote:
Originally Posted by Scanner
So, you all seem to favor a live travel agent vs. expedia.com or travelocity or something?
Yeah, while Residence Inn and Hampton are all nice, all I need is a desk, shower, and bed.
Is taking a cab a couple times per day more cost efficient than a bottom end car rental?
BTW, I stated I could fly out of Philly (closest), Newark or Baltimore because it seems the hubs make a difference on the price of a ticket.
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Enterprise is probably the cheapest (overall). But they don't always have access to the airport. Avis, National and Hertz all would have cars at the airport or real close.
The times I have used Enterprise, my cousin got me the car- she works for Enterprise and gave me a fair price.
National and Avis are cheaper than Hertz. National's Emerald Aisle is convenient (walk up to any car on aisle and drive it for same price).
Last I checked, I'd budget $35/day for rentals. 4 days allows a cheaper weekly rate in some cases.
Hubs make a HUGE difference in prices. Cincinnati (Delta) is most expensive ticket in country. I can drive to Dayton (50 miles) or Lexington (80 miles) and connect thru Cincinnati, and save $200 than if I flew out of Cincy directly (on same flight).
I like BWI- easy in, easy out (as far aas driving in or out). I've had to work in Philly and people looked at me wierd when I said I flew into Baltimore. BWI rocks.
I have also found smaller airports get me in and out in less than 2 hours. For example, White Plains or Islip to New York city vs LGA or JFK or Newark. BWI to DC area over RR or the other one... Might sound small, but if my last thing is at 4:00 and there is a 5:30 flight at a small airport, the extra $30 airline ticket could save you the $50 hotel bill for a night+ meals.
See if Salt Lake has an equivelent airport 80-100 miles away.
Travelocity, expedia etc work well for vacations and packages. I COULD NOT use them for work. We have requirements to log "cheap fares" and our travel agent knew how to enforce our polices.
I am not speaking "against" the web services, just telling you what I had to do. Travel agents pay dividends when you have a missed flight/cancelled flight etc.
My wife travels now. She was in Buffalo 2-3 weeks ago when that snow came. Her flight was cancelled. Her travel agent left her a message at 2:30 that her flight at 6:30 was cancelled. At 4:00 that travel agent had her on a 6am flight the next morning.
Expedia or other services would not be "working" for you in a time of crisis. between 2:30 and 4:00 my wife was dealing with client issues, did nothing for travel, and had her flights rerouted.
The travel agents my company used would do the same thing. If something is cancelled, they are paid to get me home. If you are not at home, peace of mind has a price.
I might suggest using a travel agent the first few times, then going cheaper once you learn the lay of the land.