Discussion:
Car Rentals at Syracuse NY Amtrak Station
(too old to reply)
Joe Bachman
2003-12-17 21:15:30 UTC
Permalink
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
want to know if there are other rental agencies available downtown for
comparison of prices/service.
BTW, Amtrak ought to fine-tune it's website to direct travelers to
availiablity of local connections, bus, car rentals, airport, etc.
I'd like to save a cab fare (and the ride time) between Amtrak Station
and Airport.
TIA,
Joe
Steven M. O'Neill
2003-12-17 22:56:18 UTC
Permalink
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
want to know if there are other rental agencies available downtown for
comparison of prices/service.
According to http://www.amtrak.com/stations/syr.html
Syracuse Station is at 131 P + C Pkwy.

Now just pick your favorite internet "yellow pages" site, and
search by distance.
--
Steven O'Neill ***@panix.com
www.bridgetolls.org
James Robinson
2003-12-17 23:40:57 UTC
Permalink
BTW, Amtrak ought to fine-tune it's website to direct travelers to
availiablity of local connections, bus, car rentals, airport, etc.
They are unlikely to tell you about rental agencies other than Hertz,
since there is an agreement between Amtrak and Hertz to provide service
at Amtrak stations.
I'd like to save a cab fare (and the ride time) between Amtrak
Station and Airport.
The general agreement with Hertz means that where there is no rental car
counter at the station, but there is one somewhere in the city, Hertz
will either meet you at the station, or will reimburse taxi fare to the
nearest Hertz office.
Joe Bachman
2003-12-18 21:03:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by James Robinson
BTW, Amtrak ought to fine-tune it's website to direct travelers to
availiablity of local connections, bus, car rentals, airport, etc.
They are unlikely to tell you about rental agencies other than Hertz,
since there is an agreement between Amtrak and Hertz to provide service
at Amtrak stations.
On the other hand, as Washington Union Station, there's a non-Hertz
rental counter (Budget, I think) right at the gate. Plus, there are
ZipCars and Flexcars parked nearby, if you belong to that service.

Chicago has a Hertz counter right in the station.

And if they have an agreement to reimburse cab fare, or pick up, it
might be nice if Amtrak were to state that somewhere.

Just a suggestion.
James Robinson
2003-12-18 21:46:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe Bachman
And if they have an agreement to reimburse cab fare, or pick up, it
might be nice if Amtrak were to state that somewhere.
They used to have a link on their web site for each station, describing
what you needed to do, and the hours you could get the service. I can't
seem to find it now. On their station page, they simply direct you to
call Hertz:

http://www.amtrak.com/stations/syr.html
ChrisJ9876
2003-12-18 02:40:41 UTC
Permalink
Date: 12/17/2003 4:15 PM Eastern Standard Time
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
want to know if there are other rental agencies available downtown for
comparison of prices/service.
BTW, Amtrak ought to fine-tune it's website to direct travelers to
availiablity of local connections, bus, car rentals, airport, etc.
I'd like to save a cab fare (and the ride time) between Amtrak Station
and Airport.
TIA,
Joe
Hertz will reimburse cab fare from Amtrak station to the airport. I've done it
several times.
Merritt Mullen
2003-12-19 04:23:06 UTC
Permalink
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
want to know if there are other rental agencies available downtown for
comparison of prices/service.
I can't speak specifically about Syracuse, but normally when Amtrak and
Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it means Hertz will provide
transportation to and from the station to their facility (often at an
airport). If they don't provide a direct shuttle, they will send a cab
and reimburse you for the cab fare and tip.

I went to Albuquerque on Amtrak a couple of years ago and rented a Hertz
car and that is exactly how it worked. I called Hertz from the dedicated
phone in the station and they sent a cab to pick me up. On the return, if
you can wait for a mailed receipt, you can simply leave the car at the
train station with the keys inside, and notify Hertz by the dedicated
phone line in the station (at least, that is how it works at Albuquerque).
BTW, Amtrak ought to fine-tune it's website to direct travelers to
availiablity of local connections, bus, car rentals, airport, etc.
Any improvement in that area would be most welcome.
I'd like to save a cab fare (and the ride time) between Amtrak Station
and Airport.
When I made my arrangements with Hertz at Albuquerque, their web site gave
me the maximum amount that they would reimburse for cab fare, which was
less than the actual fare plus tip. I don't think they gave the ride time
to the airport, however, and that would be useful (I checked a map to see
how close it was).

Merritt
Access Systems
2003-12-19 20:27:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Merritt Mullen
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
I can't speak specifically about Syracuse, but normally when Amtrak and
Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it means Hertz will provide
transportation to and from the station to their facility (often at an
airport). If they don't provide a direct shuttle, they will send a cab
and reimburse you for the cab fare and tip.
I arrived Downtown Houston and had to take a airport shuttle bus all the
way out to the airport to get my rental car, and it was even worse when I
returned it a week later in Ft Worth....had to go all the way out to
DFWairport and got a ride back to the train station on a rental van
shuttle, barely made the train, took about 3 hours from dropping my
luggage at the train station to getting back for the train!!


Bob
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve Neither liberty nor safety", Benjamin Franklin
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Merritt Mullen
2003-12-20 05:21:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Access Systems
Post by Merritt Mullen
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
is at airport. Train Station is downtown, not at airport. I will
call Hertz to see if they pick up and drop off at Amtrak, however, I
I can't speak specifically about Syracuse, but normally when Amtrak and
Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it means Hertz will provide
transportation to and from the station to their facility (often at an
airport). If they don't provide a direct shuttle, they will send a cab
and reimburse you for the cab fare and tip.
I arrived Downtown Houston and had to take a airport shuttle bus all the
way out to the airport to get my rental car, and it was even worse when I
returned it a week later in Ft Worth....had to go all the way out to
DFWairport and got a ride back to the train station on a rental van
shuttle, barely made the train, took about 3 hours from dropping my
luggage at the train station to getting back for the train!!
But unlike Albuquerque, where Amtrak advertises Hertz availability, Amtrak
does not avertise Hertz (or any other rental car) service at Houston or Ft
Worth (at Ft. Worth, rental cars are "on call" but there is no
Hertz/Amtrak tiein). Even though the Hertz office at Albuquerque was at
the airport, I was very satisfied with the service they provided to the
train station.

Merritt
Access Systems
2003-12-20 14:41:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Merritt Mullen
Post by Access Systems
Post by Merritt Mullen
Considering arriving at Syracuse via Amtrak. Need a car. Amtrak.com
says car rentals available from Hertz. Hertz.com says rental location
I can't speak specifically about Syracuse, but normally when Amtrak and
Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it means Hertz will provide
I arrived Downtown Houston and had to take a airport shuttle bus all the
way out to the airport to get my rental car, and it was even worse when I
returned it a week later in Ft Worth....had to go all the way out to
DFWairport and got a ride back to the train station on a rental van
But unlike Albuquerque, where Amtrak advertises Hertz availability, Amtrak
does not avertise Hertz (or any other rental car) service at Houston or Ft
Worth (at Ft. Worth, rental cars are "on call" but there is no
Hertz/Amtrak tiein). Even though the Hertz office at Albuquerque was at
made no claim that there was a rental car service, but just related how
difficult it was to take the train to some places and then rent a car. I
was on a business trip and time is money....


Bob
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve Neither liberty nor safety", Benjamin Franklin
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Merritt Mullen
2003-12-20 17:48:39 UTC
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Post by Access Systems
made no claim that there was a rental car service, but just related how
difficult it was to take the train to some places and then rent a car. I
was on a business trip and time is money....
I agree. One of my biggest peeves is the lack of rental car availability
(and transit interconnections) at Amtrak stations, or information about
same. I was very happy to see Amtrak team with Hertz to provide service
to at least SOME stations. I wish it were wider spread.

Merritt
Sancho Panza
2003-12-22 13:38:31 UTC
Permalink
normally when Amtrak and Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it
means Hertz will provide transportation to and from the station to their
facility

"When you arrive, Amtrak provides easy access to Hertz rental cars at more
than 70 stations." p. 65, Amtrak timetable.
Good luck finding out just which ones.
But unlike Albuquerque, where Amtrak advertises Hertz availability, Amtrak
does not avertise Hertz (or any other rental car) service at Houston or Ft
Worth (at Ft. Worth, rental cars are "on call" but there is no Hertz/Amtrak
tiein).

According to the Amtrak timetable, all three of those cities have exactly
the same "on call" rental cars, just as 509 other stations are listed in the
timetable. As a matter of fact, the Hertz Web site lists a separate location
for its outlet on Jones St. in Ft. Worth at the Amtrak station. But when
calling, alas, they'll tell you to take a cab for a nine-mile ride and
they'll reimburse. And they quote the regular prices.
Merritt Mullen
2003-12-23 00:17:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sancho Panza
normally when Amtrak and Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it
means Hertz will provide transportation to and from the station to their
facility
"When you arrive, Amtrak provides easy access to Hertz rental cars at more
than 70 stations." p. 65, Amtrak timetable.
The Amtrak web site (under partners - Hertz) says "more than 50".
Post by Sancho Panza
Good luck finding out just which ones.
The could certainly make is easier by marking the stations in the
timetable. As I have said before, my pet peeve is the difficulty of
finding information on connecting transportation. But, of course, when
you actually book your tickets (phone or web), you can find out about
rental cars then.

For example, if you go to the Albuquerque page on the Amtrak web site, it
will list Hertz as available and give you the Hertz 800 number.
Post by Sancho Panza
But unlike Albuquerque, where Amtrak advertises Hertz availability, Amtrak
does not avertise Hertz (or any other rental car) service at Houston or Ft
Worth (at Ft. Worth, rental cars are "on call" but there is no Hertz/Amtrak
tiein).
According to the Amtrak timetable, all three of those cities have exactly
the same "on call" rental cars, just as 509 other stations are listed in the
timetable.
I guess you have a different timetable than I do, as mine does not show
Houston as having rental cars on call (OC). But my National Timetable is
about a year old. But the Amtrak web site write up for Houston also does
not indicate availablity of rental cars either.

509 stations with rental cars? That would be ALL of Amtrak's stations.
My timetable lists only about 150 with either rental cars at the station
or on call.

As a matter of fact, the Hertz Web site lists a separate location
Post by Sancho Panza
for its outlet on Jones St. in Ft. Worth at the Amtrak station.
The Fort Worth page on the Amtrak web site lists Hertz, Avis, and
Advantage rental cars as available from that station.
Post by Sancho Panza
But when
calling, alas, they'll tell you to take a cab for a nine-mile ride and
they'll reimburse. And they quote the regular prices.
That is how it works at many of the Hertz/Amtrak "partner" stations and
how it worked for me at Albuquerque. You call Hertz on a dedicated phone
at the station, they send a cab or a Hertz shuttle, drive you to the
airport (if a cab, you pay the driver and get reimbursed from Hertz,
including tip). Upon return, simply leave the car at the train station,
call Hertz on the dedicated phone line let them know so they can terminate
your rental.

Merritt
Access Systems
2003-12-23 01:52:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Merritt Mullen
Post by Sancho Panza
normally when Amtrak and Hertz advertize service at an Amtrak station, it
means Hertz will provide transportation to and from the station to their
"When you arrive, Amtrak provides easy access to Hertz rental cars at more
than 70 stations." p. 65, Amtrak timetable.
The Amtrak web site (under partners - Hertz) says "more than 50".
Post by Sancho Panza
Good luck finding out just which ones.
The could certainly make is easier by marking the stations in the
timetable. As I have said before, my pet peeve is the difficulty of
well the current timetable does have em marked, but in the front of the
timetable under the listing of station locations. pg 8-27
Post by Merritt Mullen
I guess you have a different timetable than I do, as mine does not show
Houston as having rental cars on call (OC). But my National Timetable is
about a year old. But the Amtrak web site write up for Houston also does
not indicate availablity of rental cars either.
interesting as the current timetable does list Houston as having rental
cars on call, of course that trip was a couple years ago


Bob
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve Neither liberty nor safety", Benjamin Franklin
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Sancho Panza
2003-12-23 05:20:17 UTC
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Post by Merritt Mullen
I guess you have a different timetable than I do, as mine does not show
Houston as having rental cars on call (OC). But my National Timetable is
about a year old. But the Amtrak web site write up for Houston also does
not indicate availablity of rental cars either.
509 stations with rental cars? That would be ALL of Amtrak's stations.
My timetable lists only about 150 with either rental cars at the station
or on call.
Yup, noticed many of the discrepancies. Seems to most easily chalked up the
problems in handling information. But, then again, it doesn't really help
Amtrak's cause.

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