FAQs Archive - Discount SUV Rental

Q: What is the prepaid fuel option?

The prepaid option is paying upfront for a FULL TANK of gasoline regardless of how much is in the tank on return. The second option is to fill the tank yourself before you return the vehicle. In Hawaii, if you buy the gas package, but fill the tank just before you return the vehicle, and can show the receipt (it must be from a gas station within 10 miles of the Car Rental lot, and within a few minutes of the car return time) you won’t be charged for the gas package.

Q: Do rental cars have GPS?

All of the car companies do have various GPS devices available for rent at the counter. The prices will vary by car company and length of use. The average rate is $13/day and some have weekly rates, and some also cap the total rate you will pay. An alternate option is to bring your own GPS device with you, use the GPS device on your smartphone, or purchase one when you arrive.

Q: How can I avoid early or late rental car fees?

All rentals are based on a 24 hour time clock. When you book your vehicle, you are putting in exact dates and times for pick up and drop off of the vehicle. The price that is generated is the offering for that exact period of time on those exact dates. If you pick up early, or return late, or change the dates for any reason, your rate will most likely change. Some companies actually charge a late return fee on top of the extra charges for the extra time you kept the vehicle. Some companies have a grace period of 25 minutes or so before they start charging a late fee, and some companies have no grace period – if you are one minute late, they start to charge you. Car companies will hold reservations for a number of hours, and some for the rest of the day for late arrivals due to airline schedules, and some will honor the rate into the next day when an airline has been delayed due to mechanical issues or bad weather. Please call us or email us if you have any questions or need help with this.

Q: What types of vehicles do you offer that can hold more than 5 people?

Our Full Size and Premium SUVs may hold 7 or 8 passengers.

Q: What does “or similar” mean in the vehicle examples?

When you select a vehicle model from the list of vehicles offered, each one is a class of vehicle, i.e., economy class, compact class, etc. Within that class, each car company will have different models available on their lot on any given day. When you search, we pull that list of vehicles and prices from their system, with our rates and benefits, and they provide us with an example of a vehicle for each car class. This does not mean that is the exact vehicle you will get. The car company has the right to offer you any vehicle on their lot that is within that car class. If they are sold out of vehicles in that car class, they are obligated to provide you with a vehicle from a higher car class at no additional fee. You do not get to choose that vehicle, it is up to the car company which vehicle they offer you. If you do not like the class or vehicle, and you wish to change, they have the option of charging you an upgrade fee.

Q: What are “wild card” or “managers choice” vehicles?

When you view the models from the list of vehicles offered, each one is a class of vehicle, i.e., economy class, compact class, etc. The “Managers Choice” or Wild Card” options are a separate category and can feel like getting a “surprise” at the counter. The car company gets to choose which car class you will receive - it could be anything from the Compact car class right up to a Premium sized vehicle, a minivan, or even a pickup truck. They can offer you anything and you will have to accept it to get that special price. This option only works for those that are very flexible, and don’t mind receiving a very large vehicle when there are only 2 people, or receiving a compact size vehicle when there are 4 or 5 people with luggage. The car company has the right to offer you any vehicle on their lot that is compact or larger. If they offer you a vehicle that won’t work for your party, and you refuse it - they can then charge you an “Upgrade Fee” for the vehicle you choose, and you will then lose your discounted rate, and end up paying more than expected. Only choose this class if you are willing to be very flexible.