Dollar Phoenix - Fine Once You Learn Their System
by bud41 - Written: Jun 28 '03
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| Full Review |
I had previously dealt with Dollar is Tucson but had not tried their Phoenix Sky Harbor location. After a bad experience with Phoenix Alamo last year, I was open to other companies, and Dollar had the best rates.
Website
The Dollar website was easy to use. When you come to the home page you can enter an "express check" for your destination city - just type in the dates. If you are a "Fast Lane" member there is an even quicker feature - I'm not a member so I did not use it. However, I still found the system fast and easy.
The default will give you a rate for a compact (which is what we wanted with the price of gas in Phoenix!). You can change it to any size car you wish. I have found the best thing to do is book the compact and if you want to upgrade you usually can when you get there, and often at a better rate!
The rate page will show you a photo of a typical car, trunk space, number of passengers, and miles per gallon.It will show you the base rate and give you a couple of upgrade options.
I had searched multiple companies and travel sites for car rates and when Dollar gave me the best rates I booked. You simply fill in the standard info - name, address, phone, email, credit card info, etc...click and print your confirmation. You will also get an instant email with your confirmation. Cancellations are permitted.
Our Experience
We arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor and made our way to the Dollar counter. There was only one person ahead of me, so service was quick.
The agent was friendly enough but came across a little brusque. She tried to upgrade me and I told her I wanted a compact - at which she turned up her nose and made a face (a little demeaning, I thought). She then ran the reams of paperwork and said " do you want extra coverage or just full coverage"? Smooth move there! I replied - "I do not want ANY additional coverage - I pay extra to my insurance company for rental car coverage and with my credit card coverage I feel secure". She then pursed her lips and began to scold me about how it did not cover...blah blah blah. Give me a break. This lady never read my insurance policies...she has no clue what coverage I have. Then she began to give me horror stories about what could happen and I would be responsible even for tire damage, etc... OK- enough with the fear factor. Give me the paperwork and let me rent the car. Actually, this gauntlet has to be run through with about any car rental company.
So, I got through the unpleasant part and hopped the shuttle to the lot. It was about a ten minute ride.
Once on the lot we renters disembarked and were given no instructions. Logic told me to go inside - there was a small line. After standing there a couple of minutes it seemed awkward and I got the nerve to speak up and ask if I was supposed to be in this line. I was told "no" because I already had my paperwork. Why wasn't I directed to the right place? I was told to go "outside".
I went outside and here was a gentleman with a nice smile and limited English proficiency. People were sort of ganged up around him in the middle of the parking lot. He was smiling and pointing to cars. A renter "in-the-know" told me - "you pick out your own car here". Oh - nice feature, but how was I to know that? They did not it this way in Tucson. About that time the nice man pointed and said - "you can take the black Neon". A BLACK CAR IN PHOENIX IN THE SUMMER? I think not. I chose a white one and got in and drove for the exit.
At the exit was a booth and ominous spikes in the road warning the destruction of your tires if you moved wrong! Another English deficient (but smiling) person was in the booth. I asked her what she needed and she told me the rental agreement and the damage form I was supposed to fill out. Great - no one had told me to fill out a damage form. She showed it to me and told me I had to walk around the car and write down anything I saw that looked damaged. Never had to do that before. So, I backed up, got out and surveyed the car. I handed her the paperwork and off we drove. Whew!
The Car
We chose a Dodge Neon (the only choice that day in compact). It was automatic with a CD player and radio. The A/C worked great in the hot Arizona sun.
Seats were surprisingly comfortable and adjustable. The center armrest was good for keeping the paperwork. There were three cup holders in the front seat.
Everything worked well on the car and it drove smoothly. It was not very clean when we picked it up and had a bit of an unpleasant smell.
With gas at $1.70 a gallon, it was quite economical to drive. We drove up into the mountains and were a little concerned about how well a four cylinder would perform. It really did well- plenty of power to pull the hills!
Trunk space was adequate for three good sized suitcases. I did miss some of the bells and whistles such as electric doorlocks and windows, keyless entry, and there was no cruise control. It was just a basic car, but it served us well for the rate.
Car Return
This was "easy-greasy". You simply pull in, are directed to a spot, cheerfully greeted and asked how the car performed. It was a 60 second process. We boarded the shuttle and were off to the airport in a flash.
Would I rent from them again? Probably. I know their system now...it would depend on the rate
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? car rental
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