Flexcar and Zipcar for the CarFreeDC crowd.
If you’re chronologically challenged in such a way that it causes you trouble getting your rental back to the agency, perhaps you should be using one of the short-term rental car options instead. We’ve got a strong ZipCar and FlexCar presence in the area and there’s a number of specials to choose from.
If you’re the aforementioned time-challenged person and live in the District itself, the best option seems to be Flexcar’s “Bicycle Commuters and WABA Members” sign-up promition. Punch in the code “V40WABA” in the online application and get $40 in usage credit if you use the service within 60 days. Fax in a Washington Area Bicyclist Association membership card and get another $35 in credit. With WABA memberships costing $35 that’s a pretty good deal if you have any interest in being a member.
If you reside in Alexandria you’ll want to use the AlexandriaRideshare benefit which is even better. Usable on either Flexcar or Zipcar (if you have a preference), it’s good for up to $105 in reimbursements for a calendar year.
Both of these options have the advantage for non-car-owners that they include insurance in the price, obviating the need to buy the insane insurance waver options from ThrifEnterMo or whoever. And best of all, when you’re done you just drive it back to its space and park it… a space that’s still open at 6:02PM.
UPDATE: There’s a Zipcar promotion as well – enter 25NOW as your promo code and get $25 free in your account. That’s double-dip potential for Alexandria folks.
If you rent by the hour – you’re right, both FlexCar and ZipCar rock. If you are renting a car for three days straight, over a weekend no less, then the numbers don’t add up.
$63 per day with Flexcar is way higher than the $32 per day with Thrifty, even when you add $3/gallon gas you pay with a Thrifty rental.
Yes, Wayan, but factor in those discounts you get for living in Arlington or Alexandria and you get a rate cheaper even than Thrifty!
Zipcar also has a referral promo – if a friend refers you, you get a $50 credit. It kind of seems like the person doing the referring should get the benefit, not the new member, but whatever. If anyone is looking to join, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you the invite.
Is one better than the other? I’d like to sign up with flexcar because it has one spot very close to my wife’s work, but zipcar has so many promo $$$s (if Brock will invite me)!
Zipcar actually has a pretty good deal. if you use this promo code called “drivedc” you actually can get $50 in driving credit when you sign up.