Airline rewards for car rentals?

[leebee]

Has anyone ever used their frequent flyer miles to pay for a rental car? We are going to WDW over Columbus Day weekend and the best rate I am finding for a 4 day (Fri late evening to Tues midafternoon) rental car is just under $200 I was thinking about using DH's United miles for a car. We don't have United up here at BGR so we rarely fly them anymore. There aren't quite enough miles in DH"s account, but I can buy what we need for $113. I'm not sure this is the best use of miles, but it sure is cheaper than renting a car (and I can't get Priceline to budge, I've gone up to $25 a day and no go). What do you think... wait to see if Priceline comes down, or use the airmiles, or just wait and see what happens with prices?

 

[corster]

How many miles will you be redeeming?

 

[leebee]

It's 12000 miles for the 4 day rental. If you look at it from a strictly financial point, at $.03 per mile, it's a horrendous cost... $360? However, we didn't pay for the points that we have, it's hard for us to now use United miles as United doesn't fly from Bangor, and a rental car for this time period will be $200 for 4 days. I can buy the extra miles we need for this rental for $112... and I can't imagine I'll be able to rent a car for $112 for four days over Columbus Day Weekend.

I think I'm gonna sit tight for a couple more weeks and then see what's available. Hopefully, if PPs are correct, prices should start to come down a bit (although who knows, with Columbus Day weekend in there...)

There's always DME and the busses, I guess, but with such a short visit and such a Disney-grumpy husband, I was hoping for a decent price on a rental car!

 

[soxfan11901]

Speaking as someone who used to work for an airlines frequent flyer program (not United), it is not an efficient use of miles, but if you aren't going to use them for anything else then go ahead and do it.
Be aware that if you wait too long then you may pay a fee for redeeming them on short notice (usually under 21 days).

 

[SuzanneSLO]

When you redeem the United miles, does it include the collison damage waiver? If not, are you comfortable with what your personal insurance covers? Many of us use a credit card to pay for a car rental so that the deductible is covered in the event of an accident. -- Suzanne

 

[leebee]

Good point, Suzanne. Although my insurance will cover, I always think of my cc insurance as a secondary back-up to cover whatever mine won't. Something to think about.

Soxfan, I'll check into the additional fee... never would have thought that existed, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Where in Maine are you? I'm always surprised to find another Mainer on the DISboards, but there are lot's of us!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Good point, Suzanne. Although my insurance will cover, I always think of my cc insurance as a secondary back-up to cover whatever mine won't. Something to think about.

Soxfan, I'll check into the additional fee... never would have thought that existed, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Where in Maine are you? I'm always surprised to find another Mainer on the DISboards, but there are lot's of us!

Another option to use your United miles would be to transfer them to Amtrak Guest Rewards. 5000 miles would equal 5000 AGR points. That is enough for 5 one way trips on the Downeaster from Portland to Boston, or any points in-between.

I have no experience with the Downeaster, but we recently started taking the Pacific Surfliner out here in CA. We get about a $100 value for each 3000 points/miles. Not sure if this helps. -- Suzanne