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My recent travel to Tempe, Arizona has resulted in dozens of flights in and out of Phoenix' Sky Harbor Airport.  They may have been rated America's Friendliest Airport, but the 18-minute shuttle ride to and from the rental car facility leaves me feeling anything but friendly.  Rental cars can be expensive; mine have averaged between $270-330 (plus gas and parking) on recent trips, so I decided to run a little experiment - is it cheaper to use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft?

I chose Lyft after hearing NPR's How I Built This interview with John Zimmer, the founder of Lyft.  I loved the story of Lyft, and the more I've read about their company culture and how they treat employees and contractors, the more I wanted to support them.


So how much did I spend on Lyft my October 9th-12th trip to Arizona?

Monday
  • Home to the DSM Airport - $15.16 plus $4 cash tip (this included a stop at my husband's office to say goodbye)
  • PHX to the hotel - $15.28 plus $2 tip
  • Hotel shuttle to nearby shopping center for pedicure and dinner - Free! plus $4 cash tip
  • Hotel shuttle from dinner to the hotel - Free!  Plus $5 cash tip
Tuesday
  • Hotel to Office - $6.43 plus $2 cash tip
  • Office to Hotel - $6.52 plus $3 cash tip
  • Dinner - delivered to hotel
Wednesday
  • Hotel to Office - $6.31 plus $2 tip
  • Office to Hotel - $6.56 plus $5 cash tip (she was an awesome driver)
  • Dinner - walked to dinner at nearby Tempe Marketplace and used the hotel's free shuttle to get back plus $5 cash tip
Thursday
  • Hotel to Office - $7.93 plus $1 tip, this also included a pit stop at Chick-fil-a for breakfast on my way to work.  
  • Office to Airport - $9.32 plus $5 cash tip

I should note that my hotel offers a free shuttle within 5 miles of the property, and I could coordinate ahead of time to have free transportation to and from the office.  But that would require advance planning and possibly stops along the way as other guests are dropped off.

Rideshare total: $106.51
Rental estimate: $251.22 + $25 gas = $276.22
Savings: $169.71

Pros - I got to meet some nice people who know the city, and had some great conversations.  One woman had just picked up a rental car as part of a Lyft rental program, and it was great hearing how excited she was for her new car.  I talked to several people who enjoy driving for Lyft because they can work around caring for their kids or drive part-time in addition to their full-time job.
Cons - not every driver is a good driver, but Lyft's rating system ensures any driver I've rated a 3 or below won't be matched with me again.  Twice I had to wait up to 15 minutes for a ride, so now I'm scheduling Lyft's during prime time (to and from work)

Using a rideshare service like Lyft saved my employer some money, and also saved me the headache of the rental car shuttle.  The first week using Lyft, I limited myself to restaurants near my hotel, so for week two, I'll venture out a bit more and see if the savings still make sense!

Never tried Lyft?  Click here for $5 off your first ride - or more!

Rental Car vs. Rideshare

Tuesday, October 17, 2017


This post may contain affiliate links.

My recent travel to Tempe, Arizona has resulted in dozens of flights in and out of Phoenix' Sky Harbor Airport.  They may have been rated America's Friendliest Airport, but the 18-minute shuttle ride to and from the rental car facility leaves me feeling anything but friendly.  Rental cars can be expensive; mine have averaged between $270-330 (plus gas and parking) on recent trips, so I decided to run a little experiment - is it cheaper to use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft?

I chose Lyft after hearing NPR's How I Built This interview with John Zimmer, the founder of Lyft.  I loved the story of Lyft, and the more I've read about their company culture and how they treat employees and contractors, the more I wanted to support them.


So how much did I spend on Lyft my October 9th-12th trip to Arizona?

Monday
  • Home to the DSM Airport - $15.16 plus $4 cash tip (this included a stop at my husband's office to say goodbye)
  • PHX to the hotel - $15.28 plus $2 tip
  • Hotel shuttle to nearby shopping center for pedicure and dinner - Free! plus $4 cash tip
  • Hotel shuttle from dinner to the hotel - Free!  Plus $5 cash tip
Tuesday
  • Hotel to Office - $6.43 plus $2 cash tip
  • Office to Hotel - $6.52 plus $3 cash tip
  • Dinner - delivered to hotel
Wednesday
  • Hotel to Office - $6.31 plus $2 tip
  • Office to Hotel - $6.56 plus $5 cash tip (she was an awesome driver)
  • Dinner - walked to dinner at nearby Tempe Marketplace and used the hotel's free shuttle to get back plus $5 cash tip
Thursday
  • Hotel to Office - $7.93 plus $1 tip, this also included a pit stop at Chick-fil-a for breakfast on my way to work.  
  • Office to Airport - $9.32 plus $5 cash tip

I should note that my hotel offers a free shuttle within 5 miles of the property, and I could coordinate ahead of time to have free transportation to and from the office.  But that would require advance planning and possibly stops along the way as other guests are dropped off.

Rideshare total: $106.51
Rental estimate: $251.22 + $25 gas = $276.22
Savings: $169.71

Pros - I got to meet some nice people who know the city, and had some great conversations.  One woman had just picked up a rental car as part of a Lyft rental program, and it was great hearing how excited she was for her new car.  I talked to several people who enjoy driving for Lyft because they can work around caring for their kids or drive part-time in addition to their full-time job.
Cons - not every driver is a good driver, but Lyft's rating system ensures any driver I've rated a 3 or below won't be matched with me again.  Twice I had to wait up to 15 minutes for a ride, so now I'm scheduling Lyft's during prime time (to and from work)

Using a rideshare service like Lyft saved my employer some money, and also saved me the headache of the rental car shuttle.  The first week using Lyft, I limited myself to restaurants near my hotel, so for week two, I'll venture out a bit more and see if the savings still make sense!

Never tried Lyft?  Click here for $5 off your first ride - or more!


Now that I'm getting back into the swing of traveling, I've put together my list of must haves to make travel easier and more enjoyable.  This list isn't all-inclusive by any means, just things I wouldn't want to travel without.

Travel Purse/Carry On Bag


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |


Most major airlines allow you to have one carry-on and one personal item, like a purse or laptop bag.  I get that most guys don't want to carry a purse, but we'll cover that next!  Even if you aren't a large purse person, I suggest investing in a large tote-style bag for traveling - you can even put your small purse inside, if that's more your style.  I have a large Coach leather tote in black, similar to this one that holds a book or magazine, phone, headphones, wallet - everything I want access to during my flight.  Mine can even hold my iPad or laptop if I want it for a longer flight.

 Travel Laptop Bag



Laptop bags have 3 categories, backpacks, messenger bags, and roller bags.  I am not a fan of roller bags as they rarely roll down the aisle well and seem to take a beating as they bang into every seat down the aisle.  I'm pretty sure I look like the worlds largest 2nd grader with my backpack on, but it is a comfortable way to carry a laptop. chargers, and other travel items.  When I travel internationally, I throw in a change of clothes, just in case my luggage doesn't arrive when I do.  I have this bag, which has a TSA-approved compartment for my laptop, so I can just unzip the panel and send the bag through the x-ray without removing my laptop.  Not an issue if you have TSA PreCheck, but a really convenient feature to have.  Some folks prefer messenger style, so I picked these three designs with a little bit more style than the standard Samsonite bag.  I usually put my backpack in the overhead bin, so I don't pack anything I'd want during flight in this bag.

Travel Shoes


I'm a fan of comfortable shoes everyday, but they are even more important when traveling.  From ease of taking off and putting back on at the TSA checkpoint and slipping them off during a long flight, you also want shoes that will let you run across the airport to catch your connecting flight when your first flight was delayed.  Some friends rave over TOMS, but I'm partial to Crocs (clearly I can't be trusted for fashion advice) for their non-skid soles and arch support.

Must-have technology for traveling


My technology picks are all based on my preferences, but there are so many options out there for you when it comes to brand and features.  Here's my favorites:  

1) I'd be totally lost without my iPhone while traveling, in addition to using it for movies, games, and podcasts during flights, the mobile apps for airlines and hotels have changed the way I travel.  I get real-time updates on flight status and gate changes, can check-in and change seats, and use my phone as my mobile ticket.  I also get text alerts from the airlines if there is a major change or delay - this is a huge change from the hours I'd spend at a gate with updates every 15 minutes about our delay.  The airlines' apps usually work while in-flight, even if you didn't purchase wifi, and United's app has movies and shows you can stream for free.

2) Santa brought me an Apple Watch for Christmas (I got the Series 1, 38mm Space Gray/Black).  I know I'm not getting full use of my Apple Watch yet, but I love the world clock when I'm traveling between time zones, getting airline updates, and seeing the local weather on my wrist.

3&4) I love my iPad mini for watching movies in-flight, or watching Netflix in my hotel room.  Some DVDs include a free digital copy, or you can rent or purchase from iTunes, and Netflix now allows downloading some shows/movies for offline watching.  Amazon's Kindle Fire has a much more wallet-friendly price point.

5) I recently splurged on a Macbook Air, mostly for travel.  The long battery life (8-10 hours), and quick boot up have made using on the airplane so much more enjoyable.  My work laptop is more powerful but is also slowed down by the security software and has some restricted use.  Others may find the Chromebook as a better choice for their needs.

6&7) I think everyone needs a hobby they can enjoy while traveling, and mine is photography.  I don't like to travel with my professional gear (it's heavy and expensive), but want a bit more control than my phone offers.  Before our trip to DC, I purchased a Sony a6000; a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.  It's small (fits in my purse easily) and can be used with manual controls, or in full auto mode.  I can also transfer images and video directly to my phone through the Sony app to post on social media, which is nice.   This Sony camera is just as powerful and a bit more compact.


Miscellaneous Travel Necessities



1) When traveling somewhere with a greater risk of pickpockets, I like having some of my money/cards concealed.  I purchased scarves with concealed zipper pockets for my sister and bonus kid.  The pocket is large enough to hold your phone plus some cash or cards and would be great for running errands when you don't want to carry a purse.

2) I got a similar inflatable travel pillow before my long trips to Asia, and I would absolutely recommend.  Since they're inflatable, they don't take up much space when deflated, but this one has a soft over so no scratchy edges.  This one includes and eye mask, ear plugs, and carrying bag.

3) The TSA allows up to 1 quart zipper bag filled with containers less than 3oz (yes, that includes airline sized alcohol bottles...) and these silicone bottles are great for toiletries.  Be sure to put them in your open carry-on bag as you'll remove and place them in a bin.

4) Many people don't realize you can carry an empty water bottle though security and fill at the drinking fountains past the TSA Check Point.  A nice insulated bottle like this would easily fit in your carry on and help keep you hydrated on long flights.

5&6) Headphones are key for listening to podcasts and watching movies during your flight, but can also help block out the noises around you.  I like the earbud style, this one has an in-line microphone for making calls as well.  I also have these over the ear headphones that generate white noise and do a fantastic job of blocking out engine noise and crying babies.


So these are my must have travel necessities; what do you think my bag is missing?  Leave me a comment!

My 2017 Travel Necessities

Friday, April 14, 2017



Now that I'm getting back into the swing of traveling, I've put together my list of must haves to make travel easier and more enjoyable.  This list isn't all-inclusive by any means, just things I wouldn't want to travel without.

Travel Purse/Carry On Bag


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |


Most major airlines allow you to have one carry-on and one personal item, like a purse or laptop bag.  I get that most guys don't want to carry a purse, but we'll cover that next!  Even if you aren't a large purse person, I suggest investing in a large tote-style bag for traveling - you can even put your small purse inside, if that's more your style.  I have a large Coach leather tote in black, similar to this one that holds a book or magazine, phone, headphones, wallet - everything I want access to during my flight.  Mine can even hold my iPad or laptop if I want it for a longer flight.

 Travel Laptop Bag



Laptop bags have 3 categories, backpacks, messenger bags, and roller bags.  I am not a fan of roller bags as they rarely roll down the aisle well and seem to take a beating as they bang into every seat down the aisle.  I'm pretty sure I look like the worlds largest 2nd grader with my backpack on, but it is a comfortable way to carry a laptop. chargers, and other travel items.  When I travel internationally, I throw in a change of clothes, just in case my luggage doesn't arrive when I do.  I have this bag, which has a TSA-approved compartment for my laptop, so I can just unzip the panel and send the bag through the x-ray without removing my laptop.  Not an issue if you have TSA PreCheck, but a really convenient feature to have.  Some folks prefer messenger style, so I picked these three designs with a little bit more style than the standard Samsonite bag.  I usually put my backpack in the overhead bin, so I don't pack anything I'd want during flight in this bag.

Travel Shoes


I'm a fan of comfortable shoes everyday, but they are even more important when traveling.  From ease of taking off and putting back on at the TSA checkpoint and slipping them off during a long flight, you also want shoes that will let you run across the airport to catch your connecting flight when your first flight was delayed.  Some friends rave over TOMS, but I'm partial to Crocs (clearly I can't be trusted for fashion advice) for their non-skid soles and arch support.

Must-have technology for traveling


My technology picks are all based on my preferences, but there are so many options out there for you when it comes to brand and features.  Here's my favorites:  

1) I'd be totally lost without my iPhone while traveling, in addition to using it for movies, games, and podcasts during flights, the mobile apps for airlines and hotels have changed the way I travel.  I get real-time updates on flight status and gate changes, can check-in and change seats, and use my phone as my mobile ticket.  I also get text alerts from the airlines if there is a major change or delay - this is a huge change from the hours I'd spend at a gate with updates every 15 minutes about our delay.  The airlines' apps usually work while in-flight, even if you didn't purchase wifi, and United's app has movies and shows you can stream for free.

2) Santa brought me an Apple Watch for Christmas (I got the Series 1, 38mm Space Gray/Black).  I know I'm not getting full use of my Apple Watch yet, but I love the world clock when I'm traveling between time zones, getting airline updates, and seeing the local weather on my wrist.

3&4) I love my iPad mini for watching movies in-flight, or watching Netflix in my hotel room.  Some DVDs include a free digital copy, or you can rent or purchase from iTunes, and Netflix now allows downloading some shows/movies for offline watching.  Amazon's Kindle Fire has a much more wallet-friendly price point.

5) I recently splurged on a Macbook Air, mostly for travel.  The long battery life (8-10 hours), and quick boot up have made using on the airplane so much more enjoyable.  My work laptop is more powerful but is also slowed down by the security software and has some restricted use.  Others may find the Chromebook as a better choice for their needs.

6&7) I think everyone needs a hobby they can enjoy while traveling, and mine is photography.  I don't like to travel with my professional gear (it's heavy and expensive), but want a bit more control than my phone offers.  Before our trip to DC, I purchased a Sony a6000; a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.  It's small (fits in my purse easily) and can be used with manual controls, or in full auto mode.  I can also transfer images and video directly to my phone through the Sony app to post on social media, which is nice.   This Sony camera is just as powerful and a bit more compact.


Miscellaneous Travel Necessities



1) When traveling somewhere with a greater risk of pickpockets, I like having some of my money/cards concealed.  I purchased scarves with concealed zipper pockets for my sister and bonus kid.  The pocket is large enough to hold your phone plus some cash or cards and would be great for running errands when you don't want to carry a purse.

2) I got a similar inflatable travel pillow before my long trips to Asia, and I would absolutely recommend.  Since they're inflatable, they don't take up much space when deflated, but this one has a soft over so no scratchy edges.  This one includes and eye mask, ear plugs, and carrying bag.

3) The TSA allows up to 1 quart zipper bag filled with containers less than 3oz (yes, that includes airline sized alcohol bottles...) and these silicone bottles are great for toiletries.  Be sure to put them in your open carry-on bag as you'll remove and place them in a bin.

4) Many people don't realize you can carry an empty water bottle though security and fill at the drinking fountains past the TSA Check Point.  A nice insulated bottle like this would easily fit in your carry on and help keep you hydrated on long flights.

5&6) Headphones are key for listening to podcasts and watching movies during your flight, but can also help block out the noises around you.  I like the earbud style, this one has an in-line microphone for making calls as well.  I also have these over the ear headphones that generate white noise and do a fantastic job of blocking out engine noise and crying babies.


So these are my must have travel necessities; what do you think my bag is missing?  Leave me a comment!
I've gotten used to the dumb annoyances of traveling, they certainly outweigh the fun stuff.  
  • Those stupid key cards - on a three week trip, I go through about five keys.  Either my phone deactivates them, I lose them or I lock them in my room.  
  • Crappy hotel TV.  Thank god most have HGTV 
  • Undoing the hospital corners of my bedding.  I HAVE to be able to poke my feet out!
  • Having to unplug a bed-side lamp to plug in my phone charger.  And the hotels that have the nifty lamps with the built-in outlet?  The outlet is in a funny position and won't work for my blackberry or iPad/iPod charger. 


Last year, I stayed at the Marriott in Alpharetta, Georgia where I saw this beauty and I wondered why I didn't think of that - more specifically, why every hotel doesn't have this!




Here's a more detailed pic:




The end of the entertainment unit had two outlets, plus hook-ups for just about every type of video input.  No fussing with the back of the TV!  They even made it pretty fool-proof by adding a button next to the input slots so you don't have to find the corresponding channel with the remote.  So if you want to hook up your computer for a video conference, just plug it in at the VGA spot and press the button next to it!  Same for HDMI or the old school red/white/yellow input.  Oh, and aux input too. 

The connections were easy to access and super handy as a place to charge my phone and iPod.  It was super convenient solution to a problem or annoyance I just thought I had to deal with. 





Why didn't I think of that?

Friday, March 30, 2012

I've gotten used to the dumb annoyances of traveling, they certainly outweigh the fun stuff.  
  • Those stupid key cards - on a three week trip, I go through about five keys.  Either my phone deactivates them, I lose them or I lock them in my room.  
  • Crappy hotel TV.  Thank god most have HGTV 
  • Undoing the hospital corners of my bedding.  I HAVE to be able to poke my feet out!
  • Having to unplug a bed-side lamp to plug in my phone charger.  And the hotels that have the nifty lamps with the built-in outlet?  The outlet is in a funny position and won't work for my blackberry or iPad/iPod charger. 


Last year, I stayed at the Marriott in Alpharetta, Georgia where I saw this beauty and I wondered why I didn't think of that - more specifically, why every hotel doesn't have this!




Here's a more detailed pic:




The end of the entertainment unit had two outlets, plus hook-ups for just about every type of video input.  No fussing with the back of the TV!  They even made it pretty fool-proof by adding a button next to the input slots so you don't have to find the corresponding channel with the remote.  So if you want to hook up your computer for a video conference, just plug it in at the VGA spot and press the button next to it!  Same for HDMI or the old school red/white/yellow input.  Oh, and aux input too. 

The connections were easy to access and super handy as a place to charge my phone and iPod.  It was super convenient solution to a problem or annoyance I just thought I had to deal with. 







A few months ago, I invested in new luggage for my cross country/globe trotting adventures.  I took some time to research what I want, plan a budget and took home some fabulous deals thanks to TJMaxx.  My big purchase were two Heys expandable hard sided suitcases with 4 spinner wheels – one 20” one 24”.  After a dozen flights, here is my review:

What I love:
  • The 4 spinner wheels make such a difference.  I’m able to push my suitcases (one in each hand) rather than pull.
  • They are lightweight - I have yet to hit the weight limit for either bag (50 lbs on American Airlines)
  • They are sturdy and have kept their shape (minus one small dent on a corner)
  • A fabric divider on one side and a "seat-belt" for the other side keeps my stuff in place, and helps keep everything from getting more wrinkled.
What I don’t love:
  • Limiting myself to one small and one medium sized bag has made packing more of a challenge.  I've since added a Hey's Sidewinder 28" in silver - from Marshal's.
  • If the bag is packed full, it can require both hands to collapse the handle (the handle frame is internal for ruggedness)
  • The acrylic Heys' logo was scuffed up after my first trip.  Obviously not a deal-breaker, but it bummed me out 
  • The outside has a few scrapes and scratches - nothing serious, but they no longer look brand new.

Overall Grade: Adding up the price, value and my overall experience with the bags, they deserve a solid A+

Luggage Review

Wednesday, December 8, 2010



A few months ago, I invested in new luggage for my cross country/globe trotting adventures.  I took some time to research what I want, plan a budget and took home some fabulous deals thanks to TJMaxx.  My big purchase were two Heys expandable hard sided suitcases with 4 spinner wheels – one 20” one 24”.  After a dozen flights, here is my review:

What I love:
  • The 4 spinner wheels make such a difference.  I’m able to push my suitcases (one in each hand) rather than pull.
  • They are lightweight - I have yet to hit the weight limit for either bag (50 lbs on American Airlines)
  • They are sturdy and have kept their shape (minus one small dent on a corner)
  • A fabric divider on one side and a "seat-belt" for the other side keeps my stuff in place, and helps keep everything from getting more wrinkled.
What I don’t love:
  • Limiting myself to one small and one medium sized bag has made packing more of a challenge.  I've since added a Hey's Sidewinder 28" in silver - from Marshal's.
  • If the bag is packed full, it can require both hands to collapse the handle (the handle frame is internal for ruggedness)
  • The acrylic Heys' logo was scuffed up after my first trip.  Obviously not a deal-breaker, but it bummed me out 
  • The outside has a few scrapes and scratches - nothing serious, but they no longer look brand new.

Overall Grade: Adding up the price, value and my overall experience with the bags, they deserve a solid A+


I hit the rental car jackpot this weekend!  Let me start by singing my newly acquired love of the Atlanta Airport.

Historically, the Atlanta Airport has not been my favorite.  In a recent post, I really really really struggled to find a "favorite part" of the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  I remembered that once I killed time during a layover drinking and eating at a seafood restaurant.  So I quickly wrote it down and moved on.  Between the luggage delay, the uncomfortable underground tram and a million other factors - flying into or through the ATL was never my favorite.

Flying into Atlanta had been especially painful; I usually spent about 30 minutes waiting for luggage, then drag it across the street on to a shuttle bus with a 5-10 minute ride to the Avis building where they shout your name when you are supposed to step off the bus - classy for sure.  Walk to your car and good luck finding anyone that can help you.

A few trips ago, I found out that the rental cars had moved to a new facility, accessed by a tram system.  The Rental Car Center is a quick (about 5 minute) trip on the SkyTrain from the airport with a quick stop at the Georgia International Convention Center in the middle.  On the 3 trips I've made on the SkyTrain, I've experienced spotless, comfortable climate controlled trains (very important in Atlanta summers) and plenty of room for passengers and their bags.

Upon arrival at the Rental Car Center (think giant parking garage) you simply follow the signs to your rental agency.  As an Avis Preferred customer, I am able to walk past the check in desk and proceed to the parking garage to find my name on a LCD TV that indicates my parking space.  I arrive at row E spot 36 to discover a 2010 Buick Lacrosse - loaded with leather and all sorts of features.

I spent about 15 minutes loading my luggage in the car, adjusting seats, mirrors, radio, getting my GPS set up, etc. before leaving - an absolute MUST!  Interstate interchanges are not the place to familiarize yourself with a new car.  Ready to go and I notice that the car beeps at me to alert me to the cars I'm backing towards - bonus!  I follow the exit signs to the gate where the attendant checks my drivers license, rental agreement and car bar-code and sending me on my way.  

As I drove from Atlanta to Augusta (learn why I drive to Augusta vs. fly to Augusta here) I fell in love with my boat rental car.  This fine piece of American machinery was like driving a living-room set 80 miles an hour down I-20.  The amenities like Bluetooth for my phone, iPod connectivity (why struggle finding a radio station when I've got music I know I like?) and steering wheel controls for the radio and phone made this the most comfortable ride I've driven.


The interior design left me nothing less than impressed.  The digital display between analog gages allowed me to decide what information I wanted to see and I selected MPH. As the evening turned to night, the soft blue/green of the gages and lights across the dash were attractive but not distracting.  I was also surprised by how quite the car was; blocking out the sound of the traffic and construction around me.

After my comfortable 2 hour drive Saturday, Sunday afternoon a friend and I drove back to an Atlanta suburb to meet another friend for lunch that somehow turned into lunch + dinner...and a little shopping.  After our late night drive back to Augusta, we still couldn't stop talking about how great the car was.  David kept pointing out how while seated in the passenger seat he had his legs stretched out and couldn't touch the dash while reaching out.

So the 2010 Buick Lacrosse is on my preferred rental list!  Any horror stories or awesome rental stories to share?



Buick Image found here

What a difference the car makes...

Monday, October 4, 2010



I hit the rental car jackpot this weekend!  Let me start by singing my newly acquired love of the Atlanta Airport.

Historically, the Atlanta Airport has not been my favorite.  In a recent post, I really really really struggled to find a "favorite part" of the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  I remembered that once I killed time during a layover drinking and eating at a seafood restaurant.  So I quickly wrote it down and moved on.  Between the luggage delay, the uncomfortable underground tram and a million other factors - flying into or through the ATL was never my favorite.

Flying into Atlanta had been especially painful; I usually spent about 30 minutes waiting for luggage, then drag it across the street on to a shuttle bus with a 5-10 minute ride to the Avis building where they shout your name when you are supposed to step off the bus - classy for sure.  Walk to your car and good luck finding anyone that can help you.

A few trips ago, I found out that the rental cars had moved to a new facility, accessed by a tram system.  The Rental Car Center is a quick (about 5 minute) trip on the SkyTrain from the airport with a quick stop at the Georgia International Convention Center in the middle.  On the 3 trips I've made on the SkyTrain, I've experienced spotless, comfortable climate controlled trains (very important in Atlanta summers) and plenty of room for passengers and their bags.

Upon arrival at the Rental Car Center (think giant parking garage) you simply follow the signs to your rental agency.  As an Avis Preferred customer, I am able to walk past the check in desk and proceed to the parking garage to find my name on a LCD TV that indicates my parking space.  I arrive at row E spot 36 to discover a 2010 Buick Lacrosse - loaded with leather and all sorts of features.

I spent about 15 minutes loading my luggage in the car, adjusting seats, mirrors, radio, getting my GPS set up, etc. before leaving - an absolute MUST!  Interstate interchanges are not the place to familiarize yourself with a new car.  Ready to go and I notice that the car beeps at me to alert me to the cars I'm backing towards - bonus!  I follow the exit signs to the gate where the attendant checks my drivers license, rental agreement and car bar-code and sending me on my way.  

As I drove from Atlanta to Augusta (learn why I drive to Augusta vs. fly to Augusta here) I fell in love with my boat rental car.  This fine piece of American machinery was like driving a living-room set 80 miles an hour down I-20.  The amenities like Bluetooth for my phone, iPod connectivity (why struggle finding a radio station when I've got music I know I like?) and steering wheel controls for the radio and phone made this the most comfortable ride I've driven.


The interior design left me nothing less than impressed.  The digital display between analog gages allowed me to decide what information I wanted to see and I selected MPH. As the evening turned to night, the soft blue/green of the gages and lights across the dash were attractive but not distracting.  I was also surprised by how quite the car was; blocking out the sound of the traffic and construction around me.

After my comfortable 2 hour drive Saturday, Sunday afternoon a friend and I drove back to an Atlanta suburb to meet another friend for lunch that somehow turned into lunch + dinner...and a little shopping.  After our late night drive back to Augusta, we still couldn't stop talking about how great the car was.  David kept pointing out how while seated in the passenger seat he had his legs stretched out and couldn't touch the dash while reaching out.

So the 2010 Buick Lacrosse is on my preferred rental list!  Any horror stories or awesome rental stories to share?



Buick Image found here

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