Aulani - Car Rental

[TagsMissy]

Hi gang,

I wasn't certain where to really put this, it seems Aulani is being used more by DVC currently than cash so I'll ask here. Mods please move if you feel this should be elsewhere...

Has anybody used Advantage Car Rental from HNL? I am finding excellent rates to rent cars there but I've never used them before, nor really seen them before. If you can share your experiences please let me know.

~TM

 

[living20057]

Hi gang,

I wasn't certain where to really put this, it seems Aulani is being used more by DVC currently than cash so I'll ask here. Mods please move if you feel this should be elsewhere...

Has anybody used Advantage Car Rental from HNL? I am finding excellent rates to rent cars there but I've never used them before, nor really seen them before. If you can share your experiences please let me know.

~TM

Also try Hawaiian Car Rental, I found a really great rate with them. The company turned out to be with Alamo.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

We are trying to plan a trip to Aulani next year. I know some guest are saying if you are staying more than three days you should think about renting a car. For those who have had the opportunity to travel to Aulani, is there a car rental at the resort or near the resort? We are planning on being there over a weekend and thought a car might be needed at that time. Thanks for the help.

 

[Psychodisney]

There's an alamo counter at Aulani. If you know your dates, I'd recommend booking earlier than later. I recently checked my rates for the first week of June and they have doubled!

 

[mouseaider]

Nope.

Haven't tried them, but I just priced them against the company we rented from ( carrentalhawaii.com ) and they were $20 more for the same size car.

Mid size car @ Advantage = $247.22

Mid size car @ Car rental Hawaii. com = $227.84

See you at Aulani !

 

[TagsMissy]

Hmm I am getting more than a $100 cheaper when I compare tax in costs going Advantage vs the Hawiian Car Rental website.

I don't know if my longer than a week stay is skewing numbers but I am definitely finding cheaper rates direct rather than going through what's essentially a broker.

 

[taaren]

I've used Advantage, both in Honolulu and on the West Coast.

I will volunteer my opinion that I don't care for them, FWIW. I usually end up waiting a long time at the counter, and the service isn't great. However ... they usually have the cheapest rates. The cars themselves are fine, but the hours are often shorter and the location of the car rental place itself tends to be more inconvenient so you have to take a shuttle, etc. Fox Rental Car for me has had the same issues.

I vastly prefer Enterprise, so when the rates are comparable I'll always go with Enterprise, sometimes with Hertz or Budget if they have good rates and Enterprise doesn't.

That being said I'm leaving for a quick trip to the Bay Area on Friday, and the rates at Advantage for my 5 days were less than half of what the major companies were charging so I'll be using them. I'm just mentally prepared for them to be understaffed and wait awhile after a long flight ...

 

[living20057]

Hmm I am getting more than a $100 cheaper when I compare tax in costs going Advantage vs the Hawiian Car Rental website.

I don't know if my longer than a week stay is skewing numbers but I am definitely finding cheaper rates direct rather than going through what's essentially a broker.

I don't know how the rates are figured. We will be there from Aug 3 -16. On the Alamo website for a compact the price is over $700. On the Hawaiian Car Rental with the Alamo company it is $480. I looked at the Advantage site its $870, Budget $850, and Enterprise is $950. I would prefer to book direct. If you come across a good coupon code, send it my way.

 

[G'sMaman]

We are trying to plan a trip to Aulani next year. I know some guest are saying if you are staying more than three days you should think about renting a car. For those who have had the opportunity to travel to Aulani, is there a car rental at the resort or near the resort? We are planning on being there over a weekend and thought a car might be needed at that time. Thanks for the help.

Another idea if you're renting from Alamo is to pick up the car at the airport, keep it for a few days, and then drop it off at the Alamo counter at Aulani. We looked into it when we were there and they told us there would be a $50 drop off fee. Even with the fee, you might save a little money because you won't need a cab to the resort and it was a little cheaper to rent at the airport. Or, you could do the opposite (rent at Aulani and drop off at the airport) but not sure what the drop off fee would be or if there would be a fee at all. I agree that if you're going to be there more than a few days a car is a very good idea, especially for those who have never been to Oahu.

 

[cdnsluvdisney]

If you're a Costco Member, check out the Travel Section on www.costco.com. We were able to get a car for $140 cheaper than any other posted rates, and it's from Alamo.

 

[bfosbenner]

We used Hawaii car rental and got Alamo on Oahu and Big Island at the airports.
Saved big $$ off of direct booking!

 

[dstupper]

As we are a tourist island, there are more car rental companies than you can shake a stick at...so just surf around for the best price. A car will be nice, as you can get groceries, and enjoy some of the other places to eat, and things going on off the resort. Aulani is full of fun things though, make sure you are reviewing your daily paper, so you dont miss anything important. Remember, Aunties Beach House is free! I thought that was normal, but I see that other DVC properties charge. Use them, your kids will love it, just like they love the kids areas on the cruise line

 

[bfosbenner]

You really need a car in my opinion if you are there for more than a few days just to get out to eat. The food is great there but few choices and expensive.
You can walk across the street for a few choices but 10 minutes back towards Honolulu there is about everything you could ask for.