Date: Sat, 15 Apr 1995 15:07:41 -0400 To: crisper@deepthought.armory.com From: Art Delano Subject: more goodies for the web page the following might be useful for other people planning trips to hott.bob; regional constraints considered. you're welcome to use it in the web page somewhere. ---------------------- Several of us on the HOTT.BOB mailing list will be renting minivans for the ride out, as they fit up to six adults with room for their luggage, are cheap to rent (relative to train, bus, or airplane cross-country), and the rental agency, rather than your own pitiful self stuck somewhere in the boondocks dealing with inbred auto mechanics, will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the vehicle in case you're stranded. I called the Michigan AAA, and the best quote I got was through Alamo rentals, at $253.99 per week, unlimited milage. After Michigan tax, the total is $270.50 per week. Having an AAA membership provides a 10% discount off the pre-tax price. Folks renting minivans might consider getting a AAA membership, as the discount roughly offsets the membership price, and you get various additional services (traveller's insurance, trip planning, plus the usually-advertised ancillaries) for free, or at least for lowered fees. Use the data as a relative value when planning your budget; a different rental agency may have the best price when you make your reservation, and the best price at the time may be higher or lower. In addition, renting from sites away from major airports is usually more expensive. Travel agencies can help you find good deals, and your credit card company may have discount agreements with certain rental agencies. The agent noted that the best time to reserve a minivan would be between four and six weeks before pickup, to ensure that you have a vehicle and to give you time to comparison shop. This means make reservations some time between 20 June and 7 July if you plan on getting the car a week before HOTT.BOB. AjD all values in us$, of course.