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Dialing For Car Rental Discounts
US News & World Report · May 16, 2004

While hotels often guarantee the best room rates on their Web sites, rental car firms make no such promises. And a U.S. News test shows you might be better off if you abandon the mouse and tackle the telephone. Checking prices to rent a Hertz economy car for a week at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, we found the best rate via the company's toll-free number. No haggling necessary. The steepest quote was from Expedia--a site known for inexpensive travel.

What gives? "If you're Internet savvy, the best rates generally are on the Web," says Hertz spokeswoman Paula Stifter. But, she adds, "competitive" pressure may force the company to mark down cars reserved through its toll-free number.

One thing is certain: Travel vendors make out better if customers book online. Their cost is far less than if they have to hire a phone operator to take orders. And if a travel provider can take advantage of the mind-set that Web booking is the cheapest deal around--well, all's fair in travel price wars.

But don't count out the Internet. Sites like Expedia do offer deals on rental cars--if you're booking a package. A room at Baltimore's Mount Vernon Hotel goes for $976.03 for a week. The same room plus an economy car goes for $868.10. That's no typo: The hotel room is cheaper with a car.

Online sites have other pluses. Many times they give a "total price"--including taxes and surcharges. But not all Web sites automatically offer the figure. So take a lesson from Charlie Lorber, a retired salesman from San Mateo, Calif.: "I always ask, 'What's my bottom line?' Otherwise I could get stuck with surcharges I wasn't expecting."

Christopher Elliott is a travel commentator based in Key Largo, Fla. All e-mailed questions may be edited, condensed or republished at the site's discretion.