Cheapest Priceline Minivan

[Windjammer]

I need to rent a minivan in Tampa in July. I already have reservations at Dollar for $209/wk but was hoping for something cheaper on Priceline. I have been bidding on Priceline every week and am up to $21, which was rejected. What is the cheapest you have seen a Minivan go for on priceline? Any tips?

[Lewisc]

Get a price from www.hotwire.com Obviously bid less than what you see there. Alamo has a $199 rate.

[Beverly Lynn]

I got the same 199 rate with Dollar on a mini van using the KISS code!

[musical2]

I used Budget last week for a minivan. They use Ford Windstars. I got a rate of $199 plus all the usual taxes and airport fees. I used the discount code LY.

Bart

[Windjammer]

Thanks for the help. The codes didn't work for me for the dates I needed in Tampa but Dollar said they had a $199/wk special so I took that. Saved 25$ for the two weeks anyway. Thanks again for the info.

[classicpooh]

I got my priceline minivan for $25/day... with all the taxes and fees it ended up being cheaper than Dollar with the code.

[Windjammer]

Classic Pooh

I would appreciat knowing whether that priceline rental was for Tampa, which company is was with and whether that company was located on the airport or off? I will be traveling with my wife, 4 small kids and alot of luggage and want the car rental process to be convenient.

Appreciate your help.

[TravelSheryl]

Windjammer, not sure why someone else's experience with rental car location is important to you because that has no bearing on which company you will get. I know at least one of the rental car companies Priceline uses is off airport at TPA, so if that is a problem for you, I would not recommend that you use Priceline.

Using Priceline requires flexibility in exchange for a good price. Some people are willing to make that sacrifice for enough savings. To others, convenience is paramount. To those, Priceline is not the best option.

That being said, for enough savings, it could be worth it to have a skycap help one of the adults with your luggage while the other adult handles the rental car pickup.

I administer a message board to discuss Priceline bidding and I know that we've seen rental car bids go to every company Priceline uses in Tampa, except possibly Avis.

[Windjammer]

Travelsheryl- thanks for the info. You basically answered my question- that if I use Priceline there is a chance that an offairport agency might be the company I get. I now have to weigh whether the likely price savings of $25/wk is worth it ($199/wk dollar confirmed reservation vs. a priceline price of $25/day) I understand that the priceline price may be more or less than $25/day but as $21/day has already been rejected the priceline price won't be much less than $25/day.

I also have a Hertz reservation for a full size at $148/wk with an upgrade coupon to a premium (Grand Marquis) that will hold all of us and our luggage. I am considering a minivan so I don't have to worry whether the upgrade will be available since we will not fit in the full size. For the last 4 years we did receive the upgrade, however, so I am sort of counting on it.

If anyone has any thoughts, comments, suggestions, or just wants to tell me I am nuts, I would appreciate hearing from you.

[TravelSheryl]

Windjammer, just so you know, Priceline's website lists all the rental car companies they use. The Tampa Airport website shows which rental car companies are on site and which are off site.