Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Start Car-Sharing for free?

If enough folks in our area became ZipCar members, we'd have a ZipCar nearby. But even so, I've found this useful even though the closest cars are in Shirlington and Crystal City.

Zipcar DC Deal of the Day | Groupon Washington DC

For $30, today's Groupon gets you a one-year Zipcar membership and a $30 driving credit (a $115 total value). Urbanites who ordinarily hoof it, use public transit, or ride on the backs of men bred for transportation purposes can't resist the convenience of wheels-at-will without the hassles of car ownership.

Reserve an SUV with a ski-rack for a winter outing, a truck for heavy hauling, a hybrid for whale saving, or a coupe for couping; there are tons of models you can choose to drive. View vehicle availability online, and then reserve the car; Zipcars live in dozens of locations all over the city. The reservation includes driver's insurance and a gas card to fill up the tank. Reservations are billable by the hour or by the day, starting at $7 per hour and $69 per day, and reservations include 180 free miles per day. This Groupon covers the $25 membership sign-up fee in addition to your year’s membership (a $60 value) and a $30 driving credit. Click here to see complete rate info.

Signing up is easy; your Groupon will include simple instructions for redeeming on Zipcar's website. Anyone who doesn't meet Zipcar safe-driver requirements will not be eligible for membership but will receive a complete refund in one to two weeks. You must activate your Groupon within the next month—please note that your membership will automatically renew at the end of your year if you do not cancel it.

This Groupon is for new Zipcar clients only.

1 comment:

Bill said...

I have been thinking for awhile that a Zipcar outlet might be useful in the north end of Mt. Vernon. I am a member, and occasionally use a pickup truck that I pick up in Pentagon City, and have also gotten hatchbacks to haul big things on occasion. I own my own car.

There are some car-free people in the relatively dense node around Mt.Vernon & W Glebe, particularly Calvert, Aspen, Auburn Village, and other apts, yet the closest Zip cars are at Braddock.