Most USA car rental locations in the America are run as franchises, this gives the owner of the particular franchise the option to work with tour operators, like ourselves, or not.

This morning we have received word from Dollar Rent A Car stating a couple of locations that have opted out of the tour operator program and will no longer be bookable for any tour operators; basically they will only be accepting domestic bookings.

Dollar Locations

The Miami car hire location has never really been that popular to collect from but the Fisherman’s Wharf location is a bit of a shame, although Dollar do offer an office out of O’Farrell street approximately 2.5 miles away.

Any rentals booked to collect from these rental dates after the date the service stop’s will be honoured.

regards,

James

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So we say a fond farewell to Florida, where Dollar Rent A Car reigned supreme. Its time to move over to the east coast, to sunny California.

Today’s location in the car hire reviews league is San Francisco. Our reviews are all supplied by customers who have rented and collected from San Francisco Airport.

The reviews included a  scoring system from 1-5 which include questions regarding speed of staff, queue times and vehicle satisfaction.

1. Alamo Rent A Car – 87%
2. Dollar Rent A Car – 86%
3. Budget Rent A Car – 85%

So Alamo take the first of the California locations, congratulations to them.

Does this result tally with your own experience of our suppliers?

What can car rental companies do to improve for 2011?

Regards,

James

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Thought I’d let you know of a great little deal we have going on for California car hire at the moment with Alamo Rent A Car and Dollar Rent A Car.

Both these great suppliers have confirmed a FREE ADDITIONAL DRIVERS for any new bookings, on any vehicles, at any California location.

I think you’ll agree this is a great offer and one to be taken full advantage of.

Regards,

James,

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Hi all,

This post is as much for me as it is for you guys. I generally have to call different parts of the U.S. at least 10 times a day and I can never remember the time difference between the UK and varies parts of America. So this blog will list major locations and the time difference.

Pacific Zone

State                              City

Washington                  Seattle

Oregon                           Portland

Nevada                           Las Vegas

California                      San Francisco

Time Difference – GMT minus 8 hrs

Mountain Time Zone

State                              City

Montana                         Billings

Idaho                               Boise

Wyoming                        Jackson Hole

Utah                                  Salt Lake City

Colorado                         Denver

Arizona                            Phoenix

New Mexico                   Santa Fe

Time Difference – GMT minus 7 hrs

Central Time Zone

State                              City

North Dakota               Grand Forks

South Dakota                Sioux Falls

Minneapolis                  Minnesota

Wisconsin                      Milwaukee

Nebraska                        Grand Island

Iowa                                 Cedar Rapids

Illinois                             Chicago

Oklahoma                        Tulsa

Missouri                          St. Louis

Arkansas                         Little Rock

Tennessee                       Memphis

Texas                                Dallas

Louisiana                        New Orleans

Mississippi                      Jackson

Alabama                          Huntsville

Time Difference – GMT minus 6 hrs

Eastern Time Zone

State                              City

Michigan                        Detroit

Maine                               Portland

New Hampshire           Manchester

Vermont                         Burlington

Massachusetts              Boston

Rhode Island                 Providence

New York                        New York

Indiana                            Indianapolis

Ohio                                   Cleveland

Pennsylvania                 Philidephia

New Jersey                     Newark

Connecticut                    Hartford

Kentucky                          Cincinnati

West Virginia                  Lewisburg

Washington DC               Washington

Maryland                           Baltimore

Delaware                           Wilmington

Virginia                              Richmond

North Carolina                Charlotte

South Carolina                Myrtle Beach

Georgia                               Atlanta

Florida                                Orlando

Time Difference – GMT minus 5 hrs

Alaska is 9  hrs behind the UK and Hawaii 10 hrs behind.

I hope you find this useful.

Kind regards,

James

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Following the popularity of my last blog regarding car hire makes and models being collected I thought I’d update you with a selection that were collected in  October this year.

Mr J Manson booked an Intermediate SUV for collection from Union Square, San Francisco on the 05/10/10 with Alamo Rent A Car and got this (looks like a free upgrade).

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Mr Gary Emerson collected a convertible from Sanford International Airport on the 04/10/10 with Budget Rent A Car and got this.

Ford Mustang Convertible

Miss S Walton collected an Intermediate 4 door from Miami International Airport on the 03/10/10 with Dollar Rent A Car and got this.

Ford Fusion

Mr J Davidson collected a 7 seater minivan from Boston International Airport on the 06/10/10 with Alamo Rent A Car and got this.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Mr A Taylor-Gregg collected a luxury vehicle from Union Square, San Francisco on the 04/10/10 with Alamo Rent A Car and got this.

Cadillac DTS

What vehicle types have you collected?

regards,

James

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Hi all,

Continuing the series showing which vehicles our customers are collecting, I decided to take a look at the people carriers (minivans). From my research, it appears that this category doesn’t have the same depth of product as the convertibles and the sports utility vehicles do.

Mr S Taylor picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 31/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr J Hampton picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 31/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr J Sterling picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Sanford International Airport on the 31/07/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr S Brown picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 30/06/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Dr N Reid picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Boston International Airport on the 28/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

They all got this.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Mr M Keeble picked up a 12 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 24/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr S Mitra picked up a 12 Seater minivan from San Francisco International Airport on the 26/07/10 from Dollar Rent A Car.

Mr S Hearn picked up a 12 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 01/08/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

They all got this.

Ford E-350

Mr M Carroll picked up a 8 Seater minivan from Miami International Airport on the 25/07/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr S McGoven picked up a 8 Seater minivan from Orlando International Airport on the 03/08/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr N Glendinning picked up a 8 Seater minivan from Sanford International Airport on the 15/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

They all got this.

Toyota Sienna

Mrs E Hewitt picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Cape Canaveral on the 18/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car and got this.

Kia Sedona

Mr G Williams picked up a 7 Seater minivan from Tampa International Airport on the 31/07/10 from Alamo Rent A Car and got this.

Dodge Ram Van

Have we missed any makes and models that you have hired?

Is there a category you’d like me to look in to?

regards,

James,

usrentacar.co.uk

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Hi all,

In response to a comment made by Jane on a previous blog, I have been through our customer reviews to see what Convertibles our customers are collecting. The list is surprisingly short.

Mr S Carey collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 29/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr A Johnson collected a Convertible from Miami International Airport on the 19/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr C Reid collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 03/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr D MacDonald collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 06/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Ms K Sandler collected a Convertible from Sanford International Airport on the 01/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr S Brown collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 02/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr D Bellemy collected a Convertible from Washington Dulles Airport on the 27/06/10 from Dollar Rent A Car.

Mr M Ayres collected a Convertible from Washington Dulles Airport on the 25/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr C Campbell collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 24/06/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr P Womack collected a Convertible from Fort Lauderdale Airport on the 14/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

They all got this

Ford Mustang

Mr M Meadows collected a Convertible from Tampa International Airport on the 26/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr S Hutt  collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 10/07/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr K Wakefield collected a Convertible from Miami International Airport on the 12/05/10 from Budget Rent A Car.

Mr T Bannan collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 24/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr G Roberts collected a Convertible from San Francisco O’Farrell Street on the 18/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

Mr P Stananought collected a Convertible from San Francisco International Airport on the 27/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car.

They all got this.

Chrysler Sebring

Dr R Lucio collected a Convertible from Fishermans Wharf,  San Francisco  on the 07/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car and got this.

PT Cruiser

Mr J Wood collected a Convertible from Miami International Airport on the 25/06/10 from Alamo Rent A Car and got this.

Mitsubshi Spyder

Mr G Maxwell collected a Convertible from Orlando International Airport on the 25/06/10 from Budget Rent A Car and got this.

Lincoln MK2

Having previously picked up a Mustang from Budget at Orlando International Airport, my eye is now on the Lincoln MK2, although I suspect this is an upgrade from the usual convertible.

Which convertible would you fancy?

Have you hired any of the above, what were your thoughts?

regards,

James,

U.S. Rent A Car

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1. Masa’s - “One of the country’s most celebrated food temples,” says New York Times. For over twenty years, Masa’s has stayed at the top of both critics’ lists and diners minds. Masa’s Restaurant offers superlative fine dining service and exquisite California French cuisine. USA Today lists Masa’s one of the world’s Top 100 hotel restaurants.

2. The Stinking Rose World famous North Beach restaurant featuring allthings garlic–40-clove garlic chicken, roasted whole Dungeness crab and tureens of mussels, shrimp and crab. One of The-City-By-The-Bay’s most unique and entertaining dining experiences… The Stinking Rose: A Garlic Restaurant. A unique dining experience.

3. Ajanta – Bay Area’s premier Indian restaurant. Features an ever-changing

menu from various regions of India. The elegant dining hall features Indian artwork inspired by the caves of Ajanta. Zagat rated, recommended by Michelin

4. John’s Grill - This wonderful historic restaurant is one of the city’soldest and most famous establishments. It is a favorite with local and national celebrities who enjoy the great steaks, fresh seafood, salads and pastas with excellent services at honest prices. John’s Grill was a setting for The Maltese Falcon.

5. Hamano Sushi Unique to Hamano Sushi and a real showstopper is thevariety of fish and hot food. Located just 3 minutes from the Castro and Twin Peaks. A perfect blend of traditional and modern Japanese food.

6. Aubergine Restaurant @ L’Auberge Carmel Hotel -  Chef Christophe Grosjean’s cooking philosophy is built on spontaneity. With farmers delivering products daily to the kitchen, Christophe and his team focus on making the most of these natural, fresh products. The ingredients are the stars of his menu. Highly recommended

7. Mochica – Chef/owner Carlos Altamirano`s cooking addresses SanFrancisco sophisticated taste, it is suave and sensitive, coaxing the sexiest textures from the authentic Peruvian ingredients. One of the best Peruvian restaurants in San Francisco.

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1. Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed during the year 1937, and has become an internationally recognised symbol of San Francisco and California. As the only road to exit San Francisco to the north, the bridge is part of both U.S. Route 101 and California Route 1. The median markers between the lanes are moved to conform to traffic patterns. On weekday mornings, traffic flows mostly southbound into the city, so four of the six lanes run southbound. Conversely, on weekday afternoons, four lanes run northbound. The speed limit on the Golden Gate Bridge was reduced from 55 mph (89 km/h) to 45 mph (72 km/h) on 1 October 1996

2. Fisherman’s Wharf covers about half a dozen blocks along the waterfront, constitute much of the stereotypical San Francisco image and together are perhaps the most popular things to do in San Francisco. Street performers entertain and souvenir shops and restaurants tempt spending. These places are popular and many people feel they haven’t visited San Francisco unless they’ve seen them, but keep in mind that this tourist haven bears little resemblance to the rest of the City of San Francisco.
3. Alcatraz is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison until 1963. Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986.

Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is open to tours. Visitors can reach the island by ferry ride from Pier 33, near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. In 2008 the nation’s first hybrid propulsion ferry started serving the island.

Some visitors to the island claim to have heard men screaming, whistling, orbs, and doors clanging in the prison.As is likely with many prisons, deaths occurred in Alcatraz, and some believe that those who died in the prison haunt the island. Many guards and police officers reported to have seen or heard ghostly apparitions while guarding the building. There is also a report of banjo music in the shower. Witnesses say this could be tied to the famous Gangster Al Capone.

4. San Francisco’s Cable Car System is the world’s last permanently operational manually-operated cable car system, and is an icon of San Francisco, California. The cable car system forms part of the intermodal urban transport network operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni as it is better known. Cable cars operate on two routes from downtown near Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf, and a third route along California Street. While the cable cars are used to a certain extent by commuters, their small service area and premium fares for single rides make them more of a tourist attraction. They are among the most significant tourist sites in the city, along with Alcatraz Island and Fisherman’s Wharf.

5. Union Square is a 2.6 acres (11,000 m²) plaza bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Street in San Francisco, California. It also refers to the central shopping, hotel, and theater district that surrounds the plaza for several blocks. The name “Union Square” stems from the fact that the area was once used for rallies and support for the Union Army during the Civil War. Today, this one-block plaza and nearby area is one of the largest collections of department stores, upscale boutiques, tourist trinket shops, art galleries, and salons in the Western United States, which continue to make Union Square a major tourist draw, a vital, cosmopolitan place in downtown San Francisco, and one of the world’s premier shopping districts. Grand hotels and small inns, as well as repertory, off-Broadway, and single-act theaters also contribute to the area’s dynamic, 24-hour character.

6. Coit Tower offers panoramic bay and city views from the top of Telegraph Hill and a bit of 1930s San Francisco captured in its murals.

7. China Town has one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. It was formed in the 1850s and served as a gateway for incoming immigrants who arrived during the California gold rush and construction of the transcontinental railroads. Chinatown was later reconceptualized as a tourist attraction in the 1910s. Once a community of predominantly Taishanese Chinese-speaking inhabitants, San Francisco’s Chinatown remains one of the most important Chinese centers in the United States.

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For the second year running (MCO) Orlando International Airport is U.S. Rent A Car’s most popular collection location. Florida Dominates the chart taking the first four slots and continues to be over 60% of all business.

Top 10 Locations

1. Orlando International Airport (SFB) Florida
2. Sanford International Airport (SFB) Florida
3. Miami International Airport (MIA) Florida
4. Tampa International Airport (TPA) Florida
5. San Franciso International Airport (SFO) California
6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) California
7. Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) Nevada
8. JFK International Airport (JFK) New York
9. San Diego International Airport (SDN) California
10. Boston International Airport (BOS) Massachusetts

Have you collected from any of these locations? What did you think of the airports and how the supplier represented themselves?

regards,

Gavin

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