USA Car Rental One Way Trip - How to Guarantee a Specific Car?

voodoohelo on 24/08/2024 - 21:06
Last edited 25/08/2024 - 12:17 by 1 other user

Hi all, we are spending a month in the States early 2025 and doing some research on car hire/rental.

I love the idea of Turo as I can book the exact car I need for a trip, which I will probably do for our time spent in Orlando, Florida. But I want to hire a Dodge Durango or Ford Explorer for a one-way road trip from Orlando to Denver.

On previous trips we have booked the category these cars fall into and then tried to call ahead but they can never guarantee a specific car. And no one has a direct email for a specific location. 

Anyone have any tips to getting a specific car or have a company I can book like Turo but offers one-way trips at normal rental car surcharge (not someone's flight and travel expense to pick up the car). 

Many thanks

Travel Car Rental

Comments

  • Hybroid on 24/08/2024 - 21:33
    +1

    Sixt is the only provider I know that does guaranteed model bookings in UK and US: https://www.sixt.com/guaranteed-model-rental/#/

    Worth noting you can always take a car back and ask for another one within the class with any rental company (provided they have availability).

    • voodoohelo on 25/08/2024 - 08:30

      Great recommendation, thanks I'll look into Sixt rentals & see what they got out of Orlando.

  • djkelly69 on 24/08/2024 - 21:52
    +5

    In short, you very likely can't.

    However, a number of the bigger car rental locations in the US let you pick your own car from the row of 'XX' class cars which you have booked. With a bit of research you should be able to determine if the location you are looking at renting from is one of these sites.

    There are then videos on youtube of people walking around various car rental lots showing what vehicles are in what sections, so you might be able to get an idea of the cars which are likely to be available to you.

    • voodoohelo on 25/08/2024 - 08:35

      Great idea. I will checkout Youtube for the different Orlando rentals or similar.

  • sumyungguy on 24/08/2024 - 21:54
    +1

    So you need a 7-seater but with all-wheel drive so you don't have to fit snow chains in Colorado? Budget MCO has Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition & Explorer. To get 7-seats choose Standard Elite SUV, Full-Size SUV or Premium SUV.

    • voodoohelo on 25/08/2024 - 08:33

      Don't need the 7 seats. I just really enjoyed the Durango when in the states a year ago. Especially since we don't have these vehicles in Aus.

      • sumyungguy on 25/08/2024 - 08:48

        Either way, you won't have a problem… except for the long 3,000km road trip. I love Orlando, been there five times.

        • voodoohelo on 25/08/2024 - 14:25

          Yeah my wife & I really enjoyed Orlando on our last visit. It's amazing how much you can do & see in Orlando & it's surrounds.

          • sumyungguy on 25/08/2024 - 15:46

            @voodoohelo: Last trip we flew into MCO, spent a few days in Orlando (never long enough), then drove down to Key West on the Overseas Highway, spent a few days in Miami and flew onwards from MIA.

  • payless69 on 25/08/2024 - 07:04
    -2

    Turo is like car next door or now Uber.
    You can book a car from jv to Scotty
    in the US Greyhound can guarantee you a seat
    so can airlines.

  • RockyRaccoon on 25/08/2024 - 07:57
    +2

    Keep in mind if its a oneway rental, they may give you anything of that class (Durango or Explorer) or above based on what they want to move to Denver,

    Eg they may have a Tahoe or Expedition that is needed to go back that direction so they will give you that. Eg It maybe a California Fleet car thats due to be sold soon etc.

    They may love to help, but they have their own priorities and needs as well. Another factor could be a car they or you want allocated, might have been damaged or late coming in from an earlier rental, so it's now not available.

  • mauricem on 25/08/2024 - 09:59
    +3

    I ordered a 4wd SUV to pickup in Denver and drop off in LA. When we went to pick up in Denver all went good till a manager noticed it was one way to LA and said they cant have 4wds going to LA, WTF!
    Anyway they discounted the rate and we ended up in a 2wd Captiva which was not ideal as this was a ski trip to multiple high altitude resorts but there was only one day in Tahoe that we had to wait till roads were graded for 2wd.

  • Brick50 on 25/08/2024 - 10:47

    How do you plan to cover yourself if you have an accident in the Turo car?
    Ie. you rear end a car and they get injured… I looked into it last year and I don’t think you could get LIS/SLI insurance?

    • voodoohelo on 25/08/2024 - 14:21

      There are 3 different Protection Plans available upon booking.
      I haven't used them yet personally so still doing some research.

      • Brick50 on 25/08/2024 - 15:58
        +1

        Ok, my understanding is they only cover property damage you cause. If you hit a car/person and cause injuries you will be liable for medical costs and could get sued etc.

        That's my understanding, turo don't offer SLI insurance so I wouldn't hire a car through them.

        • RockyRaccoon on 25/08/2024 - 17:54
          +1

          US Car rental insurance is complicated, also it would appear Credit card insurance might not be applicable. In the US private car insurance covers some aspects of insurance on rental cars, a policy obviously not available to overseas travellers as they dont have a car in the US - thus no policy to assist them.

          Its difficult enough to work it out with a normal car rental,. Turo will make it more complex.

          But like all insurance, its not an issue until you need it. And then you wish you have had it all done right.

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