V-Flyer

A friend , who thinks I know all things about travelling to the States, is flying into Tampa. He has asked about car hire. Please would someone help me to maintain my status of "She who knows" by recommending a good,reasonably priced firm - and are they on site at the airport or do you need to take a courtesy bus ? ?|

Thank you.

Hate to say this, hiljil, but the worst ever (by a long way) experience of car hire in all my years of travelling to the US was at Tampa airport. v( OK it was 15 or so years ago and hopefully things have improved somewhat since then, for your friend's sake at least

http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_tran ... rvices.asp

quite a few on airport. although i dont fly from there we often have family/friends come into TPA and for a 'big' airport its very nice and easy

Treelo wrote:Hate to say this, hiljil, but the worst ever (by a long way) experience of car hire in all my years of travelling to the US was at Tampa airport. v( OK it was 15 or so years ago and hopefully things have improved somewhat since then, for your friend's sake at least

That's a worry, I've hired a car from Tampa airport in April - hoping we have a better experience! :0

I always found Tampa to be great. You literally crossed the road to collect the car. I had left Aer John to collect the bags and I had checked in for the car, got the keys, found the car all before the bags had come through

They've improved it a lot in the past 15 years and some of the companies are right on site, the others have a shuttle that takes you 5 minutes from the airport. All the desks are located on the level with the baggage claim so it's pretty easy to figure out.

Now I make no promises on them navigating the confusing new road signs around TPA, just give them a heads up to pay careful attention when leaving the airport! Since I just live across the bay in St Petersburg TPA is my usual airport, unless I'm flying VS then it's across to MCO!

I hire cars from TPA 4 or 5 times a year and will be there this week

I always use AVIS and am a member of their Preferred scheme (free to join) and walk across the road by passing the desks and my car is ready with the keys in it within 3 minuites ^) I have never had a problem.

There are often discounts with BA or Virgin for AVIS. I have also always had good customer service with them too. As I hire for a month at a time any sort of problem and the car is changed at another AVIS location with no fuss.

And as floridaflygirl says be very careful that you exit the airport on the correct road as it is a long way until you can turn around :0

Hope this helps
Sunshine 8D

Thank you all for being so helpful. I have passed on the info and maintained my status !!