One of my least favorite things about traveling is renting a car. Thankfully, I have some elite status with top rental car companies thanks to my Amex Platinum Card to ease the pain. I’ve been focusing on National lately, and have had nothing but positive experiences with them. However, when I began shopping for cars for this weekend’s trip to LAX it occurred to me that this would be my first opportunity to give Silvercar a try….and I’m so glad I did. (Logo image courtesy of Silvercar)
I reserved the car through Silvercar’s iPhone app after setting up my account using a promo code provided at the recent Frequent Traveler University event in DFW. I found the reservation process to be intuitive and quick. I booked weeks before my arrival and yesterday, I finally got to try Silvercar.
After arriving LAX, I boarded the Lot C shuttle as instructed with the app. I also notified Silvercar of my arrival via the app. Within minutes I received a text confirming I was on the shuttle. I exited the shuttle at the first stop (off airport bus/cell phone lot) again, as directed by the app. Within a few minutes a shiny new Audi A4 arrived and I was driven to the Silvercar office where my license and credit card were verified. On the way to the office, the Silvercar rep reviewed some features of the vehicle with me, including the car’s navigation system. Arriving at the office, I scanned the car’s UR code on the windshield with my iPhone, and my rental began.
The return experience was where I thought Silvercar really shined. I had plenty of time, so I stopped to refuel the vehicle. However, Silvercar offers a very attractive return fuel option if time is short – a $5.00 fee and market price for whatever amount of fuel you use. I was immediately greeted by Silvercar personnel upon arriving at the facility, scanned in, and within 2 minutes, I was in the passenger seat of the vehicle I rented being driven to the American Airlines terminal at LAX. No lugging bags to a bus with bazillions of other people stopping at every terminal.
In conclusion, I was extremely pleased with my first Silvercar rental, and I will be back for future rentals in cities served by Silvercar.
-MJ, May 17, 2015
$25 off your first rental with Silvercar – Enter referral code MJACKSON10 (I receive $25 off my next rental.)
I’d appreciate any new users creating an account with my referral at https://www.silvercar.com/?referrer_code=SMOONEY1
Use promo code LOUNGEBUDDY when making a reservation
You’ll get $89 off the two day rental, and then $25 via PayPal after your rental is complete. If you sign up with the same email you use for PayPal, the $25 is automatically deposited. No extra work required. I do appreciate their referral process.
Never mind. Just got it to work. Thanks!
Thank you!
Just tried using your referral code. Does not work. Halp.
I recently booked my first silvercar rental in PHX and had the exact same response as you did MJ!!
Of course it helped having a $50 off coupon for first time renters, and I booked during their special of $39/day for the month of May in PHX. My final cost was within a dollar of the original rental reservation I had with a standard car rental for the same period, and was much nicer (and easier) to do. I would use them again, if the prices were competitive.
Will primary rental coverage offered by Sapphire, Ink, or United Explorer credit cards cover these these Audi cars?
@Sandy,
I’m searching for my benefits guide now. I’ll respond shortly. I did check my Amex coverage which has an exclusion for cars priced over 75K. The MSRP for an Audi A4 starts around 35.5K, so that should be good.
I wonder how much SilverCar has been paying you bloggers on BoardingArea lately to talk positive about their company.
I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or what but lately all I’ve been seeing are posts about how good SilverCar is.
@John, I can only speak for myself, but I’m just relaying my experience on my first rental – and I assure you I’m not getting paid for it.