| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 18/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 60 |
| Copyright: Other |
Extra-inclusive packages
Platinum upgrade options prove a winner with majority of renters
Most renters in the US take the car-rental companies’ extra-inclusive packages, which offer additional benefits on top of the insurances and state and airport taxes in all-inclusive packages.
Suncars’ John Briggs said 60% of people buy the Suncars Gold package, which adds fuel and three additional drivers for £10 – an extra driver added locally costs about £3.50 a day – while Platinum cover is the biggest seller for Dollar.
It costs £10 more and adds a tank of fuel and any number of additional drivers over 25.
An economy car from Dollar costs £165 fully inclusive, or £175 for Platinum, while a convertible is £269 or £279 respectively. Suncars rates are £179 economy and £279 convertible.
Dollar managing director Marc Thornton said: “Most people tend to choose an intermediate or full-size car in California because they will be doing so much driving.”
Renters can also choose an environmental vehicle from Budget EV Rental Cars. The company is at three airports – Los Angeles International, San Francisco and Sacramento – and Beverly Hills, and offers electric Toyota RAV4 cars from about £40 a day. Budget EV also has petro-electric Honda Insights, which run on both petrol and electricity and can travel 600-700 miles on a single tank of fuel. Cost is about £66 a day.
sample itinerary 2
CALIFORNIA SELF DRIVE
Day 1: Arrive San Francisco.
Day 2: San Francisco to Lake Tahoe (240 miles). Ride the cable cars before heading off to the Nevada desert.
Day 3: Lake Tahoe to Yosemite (250 miles). Chance to explore the national park.
Day 4: Yosemite to Sequoia (170 miles).
Day 5: Sequoia to Death Valley (360 miles).
Day 6: Death Valley to Las Vegas (150 miles). Drive from the desert to the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Day 7: Las Vegas. Time to enjoy the city.
Day 8: Las Vegas to Los Angeles (275 miles).
Day 9: Los Angeles. Time to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios.
Total miles: 1,445.
Operator: Funway USA.
Cost: £295 per person room-only based on twin share and including car rental. Excludes air fares.