Best rates for Seattle rentcar

[PA-]

ANyone have codes or discounts for Seattle? Arriving 3/11/06.

Also, does anyone know about driving into canada? Do you have to pay extra?

Philip

[debraxh]

We flew into Seattle and rented a car to drive to Whistler and didn't pay extra. I think we used Avis with the RCI or Costco discount. Check the various rental car websites and make a reservation at the best one; then continue to check for lower rates up to a week before you travel.

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Originally Posted by PA-

ANyone have codes or discounts for Seattle? Arriving 3/11/06.

Also, does anyone know about driving into canada? Do you have to pay extra?

Philip

In December we rented an SUV from Thrifty for a Whistler trip. Generally BC isn part of the rental area allowed for Washington area car rentals. Of course, it's best to verify with the agency.

My experience is that effective codes, and rental rates, vary wildly. Several times last year using my Alaska Air code with Hertz beat every other option I looked at. A month later, the same code didn't get me any significant discount and Hertz was back to being one of the most expensive overall.

Of course, you can save some money if you rent at a non-airport locale. The savings may cover the cost of a taxi fare to get to the rental location.

You didn't ask, but I'll mention anyway. If you're headed to Whistler or to Pacific Shores (north end of Vancouver Island) the best route to take to Whistler is to follow I-5 north to Bellingham. On the north side of Bellingham, take the Bellis Fair Mall- Meridien exit and go right. That puts you on State Hwy 539 going north to Lynden. Stay on that road all the way to the Aldergrove border crossing. After you cross the border, you will be on Provincial road 13. Continue north about ten miles until you reach the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Take to cloverleaf ramp onto Hwy 1, and follow Hwy 1 all the way to Horseshoe Bay.

If you're headed to Pacific Shores, enter Horsehsoe Bay and catch a Nanaimo ferry. If you're going to Whistler, Highway 99 to Whistler will exit on the right just before you enter the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Crossing.

Coming back simply reverse the directions.

This route takes you around a lot of street traffic and congestion in Vancouver. Also, the Aldergrove crossing is never any slower than the Blaine (I-5) crossings, and is often much faster.

[PA-]

I'm going to whistler, thanks for the driving tips.

[PA-]

By the way, Steve, do you know if there are any sources for discounted lift tickets at Whistler?

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Originally Posted by PA-

By the way, Steve, do you know if there are any sources for discounted lift tickets at Whistler?

you've got mail.

[Amy]

Philip,

Have you checked what the going rates are for Priceline users on www.biddingfortravel.com? We're heading to San Diego on 3/11 and I recently used Priceline for car rental for the first time, managing to trim our car rental cost significantly. We got a standard size SUV out of the airport for $23/day (before taxes and fees) or $27.08/day including all taxes and fees.