Before my trip, two concerns had been weighing on my mind: car rental and driving.
Driving, of course, involves a host of considerations—traffic laws, road conditions, parking, refueling, and more. I’ll delve into those aspects in separate posts. For now, let’s focus on my first experience renting a car abroad.
**[Check-in R] Car Rental Platforms**
In China, platforms like Ctrip and Zuzuche make car rentals convenient. While Ctrip, as a well-established company, may offer greater peace of mind, Zuzuche is known for its competitive pricing. Both act as intermediaries, with the final rental agreement being signed directly with the car rental company.
After some deliberation, I chose Zuzuche. The platform’s pricing isn’t fixed; if you spot a better deal, you can cancel your order and rebook without hassle.
**[Check-in R] Car Rental Companies**
I narrowed my options down to Hertz and AVIS, both reputable and budget-friendly brands. At the time, Hertz was running an attractive promotion and seemed to garner more positive reviews online. That tipped the scales in its favor, and I ultimately went with Hertz.
**[Check-in R] Car Model Selection**
Safety was my top priority when traveling to the U.S. Many travelers online warned about car windows being smashed in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. To minimize risks, I opted for a sedan. Given that my wife and I had minimal luggage, we settled on a Toyota Corolla with unlimited mileage.
Concerned about potential break-ins, I reached out to a former colleague who had moved to Los Angeles. When I told her I had rented a Corolla, she reassured me it was a safe choice. She also noted that the silver color made it low-key and less likely to attract thieves—relief all around! [laugh-cry R]
**[Check-in R] Insurance**
The insurance offered by car rental companies is undeniably convenient but comes at a steep price. Instead, I purchased comprehensive coverage through Zuzuche, which included protection for glass, tires, and the chassis. Ideally, you’ll never need to use the insurance, but it’s always better to be prepared.
**[Check-in R] Translation of Driver’s License (Little White Book)**
Traveling in the western U.S., you can confidently use your Chinese driver’s license. As for the so-called “little white book” translation, it technically holds no legal standing. But does a notarized copy fare any better? Likely not.
The U.S. recognizes Chinese driver’s licenses, and since they include English text, they’re generally sufficient. Still, I brought the little white book just in case. In reality, whether you carry the little white book or a notarized copy, enforcement often depends on the discretion of local law enforcement.
If everything goes smoothly, no one will question you. If issues arise, it’s ultimately up to the mood of the officer involved.
[Check-in R] Picking Up the Car
At San Francisco Airport, head to the 4th floor and hop on the Blue Line shuttle to the Rental Car Center. Once you arrive, you’ll find a lineup of car rental companies waiting for you—but not Hertz. It’s tucked away on the first-floor hall instead. Surprisingly, there wasn’t much of a queue, and the attendant who helped me was a middle-aged Asian man with a friendly demeanor.
He kindly offered me additional insurance and an upgraded vehicle model, but when I politely declined, he didn’t pressure me further. Instead, he swiftly arranged everything for my rental while maintaining a professional and courteous attitude. A $200 deposit was required on the spot. Unfortunately, my VISA card was locked, and I couldn’t recall the PIN immediately, yet the staff remained patient, attempting multiple times to assist me until we resolved the issue.
[Check-in R] Returning the Car
Following the return instructions from Zuzuche, I made my way to the designated drop-off point at the airport—a spacious indoor parking lot. Upon closer inspection, I noticed some scratches on the car that had been present when I initially rented it. Although I had taken photos back then, I hadn’t examined them closely enough, so they weren’t particularly helpful in this situation.
As I prepared to explain the matter, I was greeted by a laid-back African American man with dreadlocks who assured me it wasn’t a problem. After inspecting the car thoroughly, he even handed back a phone holder I’d accidentally left behind. Approximately two to three weeks after returning the car, the deposit was fully refunded without any hassle.
