An excerpt from my recent LV trip report on Enterprise and the
consolidated rental facility. This was too good not to share with
everyone.
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Upon arrival to LAS, we made our way to the queue for the new
McCarran consolidated shuttle service. I anticipated a cluster and
the airport authority they did not disappoint. We waited EIGHT
minutes for a shuttle (so much for the three minute quote..ya, I'm
guilty of being spoiled by the prompt service in the past) to
appear. By that time the queue was nearly one hundred deep. Oh, how
I enjoy sucking diesel fumes in 90 degree heat. Imagine what this
experience will be like when it's a buck-fifteen in the middle of
August. After the 39 mile drive to the consolidated facility (ok, it
was probably only 6 or 7), we arrived ten minutes later (oh how I
yearn for the three minute ride to Dollar). For those counting,
we're at nearly 20 minutes and we haven't even hit the car rental
counter.
I made two car rental reservations this trip; one with Enterprise and
one with Alamo. The Enterprise reservation for the five days was
only $68 (with all taxes/fees) but I knew I should have a backup plan
since Enterprise is known for the hard sell and not so prompt
service. The Alamo res was for $111 but included triple SWA Rapid
Reward credit (1.5 credits worth $33 to me). I figured the $10
savings at Enterprise might be worth the anticipated hassle if there
was no line at their counter. Upon arrival, there were only two
guests in line so we went for it. The agent efficiently processed my
paperwork after I declined the upgrade offer then abruptly
stated, "No additional coverages, no additional drivers and return
full." The agent gave me a snarl since she wasn't going to get a
commission then directed us to the garage where we walked what felt
like nearly a quarter mile. Upon arrival to the Enterprise area
there was not a single car in the lot. The agent offered an SUV or
minivan, which I promptly declined (I rented an economy to save on
fuel expense) and AGAIN tried the hard sell on insurance and fuel
option. Bad choice on passing on the upgrade. It took nearly 10
minutes for them to bring an economy class up. After noting the 27
dings and scratches (no, I'm not exaggerating), we were on our way
only 42 minutes after we initially arrived at the line for the rental
shuttle. Yes, that's correct. FORTY TWO minutes to get in our car.
I put the fault equally on Enterprise and the airport authority for
this extremely inefficient service.
We were assigned a Chevy Aveo (which I believe means hunk of sh*t in
Spanish) and exited the facility only to end up so far down LV Blvd
that I thought we were on the outskirts of Jean, NV. North on the
Strip and I decided to make our first stop Hooters to play the
CPlayer coupons. During the drive, I notice the gas gauge is just
baaaarely on the "F" line. Great, they screwed me out of at least
two gallons of gas. Once there, we hop out and I try to lock the
door (of course there was no keyless remote option on this junk
vehicle). I manually try to push the lock down and it doesn't
budge. I push harder no luck. I briefly consider getting my
rollaround to attempt to force the lock down but eventually rule that
out. I finally try using the key to lock from the outside and that
works. Manually locking the car for the next four days? Uh-uh, I
don't think so.
After exiting Hooters, I get on the horn to Enterprise during our
drive to the next coupon stop. Not surprising, it's voicemail hell
on the number listed so I then call the "If you're not satisfied
please call our General Manager at
." I call that number and, you
guessed it, voicemail hell again. I call the airport location again
and work my way through 49 prompts and finally get a human on the
phone. I explain the issue to the rep and she says, "No problem sir,
just return it the airport and we'll exchange it for you." I explain
that I'm not driving the 82 miles back to the airport and going
through the 20 minute saga there. I tell her to find me an economy
car near mid Strip and I'll do the swap there. She asks me to
hold
.and I hold
.and hold
.and hold. By this time we've driven from
Hooters to the LVHilton so you can do the math on the total amount of
time given the traffic/construction on Paradise (that I wasn't aware
of) and sat through while holding. I give up and decide to take this
issue up upon return home.
The return to the facility was almost as much fun as our arrival. I
pull into the facility where we arrive at the Enterprise return area
and wait
.and wait
.and wait. After six minutes someone finally
shows up and asks six of us waiting "Who was first?" I note the
issues with the car and the clerk offers to take $10 off. I take the
$10 and decide another call to Enterprise will follow after arriving
home. Two gallons of gas short, broken locks and nearly worn out car
for $10 off? Uh, no.
Once back in the facility we make our way to the queue for the
shuttle back to McCarran where we I observe it's about 70 deep
on a
Saturday afternoon. Why am I not surprised? 20 minutes later we're
finally dropped at the terminal
at the complete opposite end of
Southwest check-in. I don't know what I love more the consolidated
facility or Enterprise.
Viva Las Vegas. 