Ugh, didn't know domestic trips/vacations can be so expensive! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

frosty · #1 06-24-2009, 02:01 PM

Air ticket round trip: 316
6-day car rental: 200
6-day motel: 200
gas and car insurance will probably be an extra $60.

All this so far does not include spending money! I'll be visiting Oklahoma next week. Have not been back there since I moved to California in 1990! Unfortunately I've lost in touch with all childhood friends, so the trip is just because I've been wanting to go back and reconnect with the place I grew up in. I'll probably visit a close family friend and maybe see if I can locate my childhood friend's parents. Their house was near ours, which I'll be stopping by to check out! Anyway, Almost a thousand bucks on a trip. Is this standard? I mean with international, I can understand, but domestic? Nothing exotic too

Medmech · #2 06-24-2009, 02:04 PM

Check with you personal car insurance because in most cases it covers your rental car, same goes for Amex and most Visa/Mastercards.

TX76513 · #3 06-24-2009, 02:05 PM

You got a better deal on your OKC ticket, I paid $413 today.

Mr.Kenny · #4 06-24-2009, 02:25 PM

Don't go.

IMHO:The sweet memories of your childhood friends are better than today's realities.
Fact: You live in California and have probably changed. They stayed in Oklahoma;... be prepared for a cultural shock.

G-Benz · #5 06-24-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frosty

Air ticket round trip: 316
6-day car rental: 200
6-day motel: 200
gas and car insurance will probably be an extra $60.

All this so far does not include spending money!

Try the same with a wife and kid(s) in tow!

We rarely do vacations for that reason (unless you count the out-of-town soccer tournaments..and believe me those are expensive too!)

Don't know how folks we know do Tahoe, Disney, some cruise, etc. etc. every year!!!

SwampYankee · #6 06-24-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Try the same with a wife and kid(s) in tow!

We rarely do vacations for that reason (unless you count the out-of-town soccer tournaments..and believe me those are expensive too!)

Don't know how folks we know do Tahoe, Disney, some cruise, etc. etc. every year!!!

Same with us, G. I sometimes feel bad for my kids for never having been to Disney while their friends have gone multiple times. Once our youngest (now 2.5yo) will appreciate it we'll make probably do it. We've always done lots of day trips or 1-2 night trips, partly due to money and partly due to being tied down to a PT job. The PT job is gone so I'm hoping to get some tent camping in at least with the oldest two. We do have our first weeklong+ family vacation planned this August, going to Myrtle Beach for a few days with some friends and their family and then to visit some other friends who moved there over the winter for a few. We'll be going cheap every chance we get!

frosty · #7 06-24-2009, 03:15 PM

Thanks for that tip, Medmech! I have 21st Century, hope they do it!

TX#, where you heading in OK? I'll be in Stillwater.

Mr. Kenny, I must go. I have to. I need to. I should have gone back 10 years ago when at least I still knew the wherabouts of my friends. They may have moved out of Stillwater, but I don't know. I haven't put much thought about the cultural shock thing. Maybe I should be prepared. Come to think of it, I really don't know how my friend--if I do find him--will be like if we meet. Or even how his parents, whom I was fairly close to, will be like also. Shortly after I moved to CA, I kept in touch with them through letters, but unfortunately over the years communication stopped. I don't know how

I hope they are still there.

If it's any consolation, I've never been to Disneyland, and I've been in CA for almost 20 years! Still want to go!

MTI · #8 06-24-2009, 03:22 PM

See the USA, in your Chevrolet . . .

BTW, given the number of VWs on the road these days, playing "punch buggy" with your seat mate on an interstate journey could result in some serious injuries . . .

Phil · #9 06-24-2009, 03:23 PM

Because of $$$ we always went to Tahoe and stayed at a friends cabin but it still was expensive when you figured in gas, meals and fun stuff.

Medmech · #10 06-24-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frosty

Thanks for that tip, Medmech! I have 21st Century, hope they do it!

!

Check you credit card.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/rental-car-insurance-policies-1273.php

frosty · #11 06-24-2009, 04:11 PM

I called 21st and they require that I first get comp and collision, only then can I use my policy on a rental. The first guy I spoke to said it will cost me if I go full coverage but is free if I just go with basic. I called Enterpise to see if they require comp coverage and they said no. I then called my insurance back and got a diiferent person. She told me that I HAVE to get comp/collision to use my policy on a rental. I don't know, first person I spoke with said I can apply my insurance free unless I go with comp coverage, then the second person said I can't do it if I don't get comp coverage.

Gonna try the CC route, thanks again, medmech!

Hatterasguy · #12 06-24-2009, 04:22 PM

Thats cheap for a rental car. My dad just priced one out for has Grand Canyon/national park trip and its $600. One week, unlimited miles, drop off in a diffferent spot than picking up.

mpolli · #13 06-24-2009, 04:28 PM

Those are all pretty good prices. As far as the car, see if you can get one through hotwire.com. Usually cheaper at the bigger airports. I have rented for 16.00 per day, but that was a few years ago. It is worth a try. Good for hotels too, but you have a pretty cheap one there already.