From what I have read you are better booking in advance with either http://www.netflights.co.uk or http://www.carhire3000.co.uk It is also worth becoming a Dollar Express member if you end up with one of their cars as you can bypass the long queues.

luci

We usually use netflights and take the platinum upgrade, which includes a full tank of fuel and top-up insurance. They seem to be very reasonable. 3 times we have booked the cheapest car type, and got a Dodge Caliber all 3 times. This year we have booked a Chrysler Voyager (people carrier) because there are 6 of us.

Definitely book it before you go. I remember a story recently of someone who had a 50% discount voucher from one of the major car hire companies following a complaint the previous year. They took it to Vegas expecting to get a car at a hugely reduced rate, but actually because they just turned up on the day, they ended up paying MORE, even with the discount, than what they would have done if they had booked prior to travelling.

We used http://www.dollar.co.uk for all our travelling during 7 weeks in the USA back in 2006 and pretty much all our travelling since then bar booking direct with http://www.hertz.co.uk last year in New Mexico. Lots of people use the companies mentioned by Luci/Lesley, so I would shop around, but don't discount going direct.

I like the fact in Vegas you can pick up from your hotel and drop off at the airport, thus saving a taxi fare when you are due to fly out. That's why we always time our car hire for later in our stay in Vegas, not only for that, but also because we will have walked our feet to near death by that point.

Finally, also check Hotwire for car deals as well.

We are going 3 weeks today

I always use netflights for there all inclusive rate - but if you check on the Virgin Atlantic website and just look at car hire their rates are much better and they are offering free sat nav and the premium upgrade - So I will be booking with Virgin today just got to deceide whether to hire a car or try a jeep

I'm another who always uses Netflights.com and get their Platinum upgrade.

There are cheaper deals out there but a lot of them require pick up and drop off at the airport which is a pain. With Netflights, you can pick up and drop off at pretty much any Vegas hotel so it's very handy.

TC

I had a chat with a Dollar person when we collected our car last week. We wanted to know if it would be easy/cheaper to add a few extra days on to the rental direct with them. His reply was that UK visitors will always get a better deal when using a voucher from a third party because the insurances are expensive. The third party renters also often have agreements in place that mean their prices don't go up when Dollar changes theirs, which again makes it cheaper.

I usually look at Moneysupermarket and take the best deal they find. It has always been between Netflights and Carhire 3000 so far.

Hi Netlfights are the cheepest so far .
I have a 8 seater van lined up, but it dosen't like it if i put collection from MGM grand. Apparently they don't keep big vehicles in hotels. Has anyone had this experience. Also has anyone had an 8 seater dodge ram we have 6 adults and 2 kids + luggage will this be big enough Thanks.

We had a dodge caravan from mgm grand last year. I've never seen a ram so can't comment on that. It may not have luggage space for so many people but maybe you could do a split run when you have luggage?

Hi Thanks lesley, we have to LA so we need quite a big van.Who did you book that with.
Thanks again.

A word of caution. Some car rental companies do not allow you to take cars into California.

Booked with netflights, car was from Dollar at MGM. We have collected from MGM the last 2 trips, and from TI previously. The larger car was from MGM though, so that shows they definitely have larger ones. When we were collecting she actually asked if we wanted something bigger because I remember laughing about it, since I usually drive a Yaris at home so the Dodge Caravan was a big enough car for me! It felt huge at first, but amazingly I started getting used to it. However, I must admit I could never drive a car that size here due to the size of car parks etc! Would drive you crazy here.

Have been to vegas several times, last time used argus car hire very good rates, but they use dollar which was a nightmare as with the recession they had cut their pick up shuttle to 40mins and the check in took over 2hours to queue as again staff down to 4 before had 8 people, and when we picked up our suv the guy just said help yourself to anything. Haven't booked for this year yet we are going in September so a bit too early for offers, going with virgin holidays but quote from them was horrendous but they use Alamo and reservation guy said car would be ready and waiting with no queuing (bit tempted by that). will also try usrentacar anybody else have any suggestions? Many thanks p.s have just visited virgins website and they are offering a free car upgrade with alamo for the whole of 2010 if booked during January, seems genuine as I compared it with the other sites and it is coming out on top £300 fully comp for a full size car for two weeks.