Golf and Care Rental in Phoenix

[mgedit]

We are going to travel to Phoenix in early March, and I've got accommodation, and flights booked. Golf we will do with buddies or via GolfNow (any other online booking suggestions?). My real question is options for car rentals. Rentals at airport are twice the cost of rentals outside airport for all companies. Seems reasonable to take shuttle service or taxi downtown and pick up and drop off rental off-site. Will be a bit of a hassle but for $450 or so difference I can put up with a bit of inconvenience. Anyone have experience renting vehicles in Phoenix and care to share your experiences? Cheers, Mike

[1800Duffers]

Hi Mike. I've travelled to the area fairly often for golf and you are correct about the car rental issue. I had to get a van for 4 people and it was usually $700-$800 for a week. The convenience and service is very good since the cars are off site. Golfnow worked for me to save a lot of money and the choices of courses was incredible. You could save a lot on high end/high profile courses as long as you are flexible on your dates. Some side attractions for you in March could include NHL and NBA, NFL will be finished.

[mgedit]

Thanks for the reply. Right now a compact car is more than $900 for 11 days when rented from the airport. Seems ridiculously high.

[Dax]

Did you try Hotwire? I always rent my cars two or three weeks out and tend to save pretty good money. Don't always get the best car, but the deals are great.

[mgedit]

Thanks. One more option to check out. Cheers, Mike

[Sakuraba]

I visited Phoenix every March for a few years, I was fortunate to have a relative there who had a vehicle for the airport pickup.

My best deal for car rental was to physically visit a non-airport car rental agency (Discount, I think) and negotiate. I saved a lot. It was very difficult to get the guy to waive the insurance (I already had the coverage on my current auto policy and my credit card)

I think getting to the non-vacation car rental market by not using the airport (although I returned the car at the airport when we left, no problem and highly convenient) was the key. Savings may be offset by inconvenience in your case, though. Best of luck.

[mgedit]

Thanks Andrew ... I think the non-airport rental is the key. Cheers, Mike

[4eyedgoalies]

Hey Mike. You should look at costco.ca and book thru there. It is the bast way to get a good deal on site at PHX. Make sure to play the 2 We Ko Pa courses while there, they are great.

[mgedit]

Thanks. Funny was just looking at Costco. Not a member but looks like savings on one rental would more than cover membership cost for year.

[1800Duffers]

We Ko Pa courses are excellent but not available on golfnow

[4eyedgoalies]

Yeah, but you should consider the 36 hole special.
ASU Karsten course, it is on GolfNow. The course is a Pete Dye design and is close to the airport. We played it the afternoon we landed.
What area are you staying in?