Car rentals through priceline?

[kkwis2]

Anyone out there who has used Priceline before? We are flying to Vegas in August with another couple. My friend wants to rent a car for a day or two so that we can go to Hoover Dam. The car rental she found will cost $80/day!!!! That is picking up the car at the Mirage rather than at the airport. I just can't imagine paying that!

I was thinking of renting a car for the week if I can get a low rate for the week. When I looked at priceline they were showing people getting bids for as low as $15/day. We could get a car for the five days we are there for less than the two day price she found.

I have never used priceline and I get very leary when it seems it's "too good to be true". I'd love to hear your thoughts. What do I need to know before I book through them?

TIA

 

[riaesq]

I've used PL many times for hotels and love it. I've never done it for cars as I am used to trying a lot of codes and consider it an adventure; but I know people who have gotten very good deals.

Just educate yourself first by going to a bidding education site like Biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com. You can bid once a day- just be sure not to overbid. For cars, usually paying a visit to Hotwire for a quote and then bidding 15-20% less a day is reasonable.

Mainly remember that once your bid is accepted, it's paid for and done, no changes, no money back, etc.

HOWEVER, you will almost surely have to pick up at the airport. With Hotwire, you may have alternatives.

 

[IDoDis]

I've used priceline for rentals several times and have always been very pleased. You get a rental from one of the top companies (Hertz, Avis, National) right at the airport. The one thing I have noticed is that the person at the rental counter tries extra hard to get you to buy the insurance, upgrade to the next level and/or rent a GPS. I never do and 1/2 the time I end up getting a free upgrade because they don't have the size car I was supposed to get. They try to get me to buy the upgrade first, but after I say no they give it to me anyway.

Go for it. You will save a bunch of $$

 

[MrsPete]

I've used Priceline for car rentals (and hotels) with great success.

The real problem, however, in your situation is that you're renting a car in Vegas. The city has added $$$$ in fees to every rental, and you -- the customer -- are getting screwed over. You may do better than $80, but you will pay more in Vegas than you'd pay in other cities.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I don't know your dates but I just did a quick check and without any codes, etc. you can get a midsize for an entire week in August (I used 8/8-8/15) for $200 including all taxes and fees. If that $80 per day is without the taxes, etc. you're going to come pretty close to that $200 for just the 2 days. So I agree with you.

I've used PL many times for cars, never a problem. I've also rented with them in Las Vegas. What I do, no matter where I'm traveling, is search for and book (cancellable only!) the lowest possible price I can find on the smallest car I'm willing to accept.

The when I'm about 2 weeks or so from my travel date I start looking at betterbidding and biddingfortravel to see what kinds of deals others are getting for rental cars from PL where I'm traveling. And then I start bidding.

Never, ever, ever bid more (total with fees etc, which you see on the bid screen before its final) than your cancellable reservation!

 

[SKWDW]

I've used priceline for rentals several times and have always been very pleased. You get a rental from one of the top companies (Hertz, Avis, National) right at the airport. The one thing I have noticed is that the person at the rental counter tries extra hard to get you to buy the insurance, upgrade to the next level and/or rent a GPS. I never do and 1/2 the time I end up getting a free upgrade because they don't have the size car I was supposed to get. They try to get me to buy the upgrade first, but after I say no they give it to me anyway.
Go for it. You will save a bunch of $$

IDoDis saved me a bunch of typing. We've had the same positive experiences with Priceline for numerous car rentals.

 

[hrslvr142]

Have either of the last 2 posters done this in Orlando at a location other then MCO? We will need some groceries (staying in a villa) and I almost think it will be cheaper to rent a car then to use a taxi but the cheapest rental I have found is $39 so was considering PL but will be taking ME from airport so need to have a car until next day. TIA

 

[ShiPooOwner]

We just rented through Priceline for a one week rental from Boston Logan. Our bid was rejected many times before they finally accepted an $18 per day bid for an economy car. With taxes etc. the total was $197.00 for the week which I was okay with since I had been getting quotes of close to $400 and sometimes more even using codes when checking with Budget, Alamo, etc. The company that accepted our bid through Priceline was Hertz. One tip~Do not let the car company talk you into filling the tank with gas and bringing it back empty. They try to make it sound like you're saving .30 or so a gallon by doing it that way. My DH thought it sounded like a great deal and I was outside the office guarding our luggage or I would've told him not to do it. They wind up getting at least a few extra gallons of free gas left in the car at the end of the rental when you do it that way. Just say no thanks, we'll bring it back full!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Have either of the last 2 posters done this in Orlando at a location other then MCO? We will need some groceries (staying in a villa) and I almost think it will be cheaper to rent a car then to use a taxi but the cheapest rental I have found is $39 so was considering PL but will be taking ME from airport so need to have a car until next day. TIA

I'm a little confused but would love to help. You're saying you do NOT need the car until the day after your arrival because you're taking ME...is that right? So I'm wondering why you wouldn't just let ME take your luggage and pick up your rental car right at the airport? And if you're planning to pick up at other than MCO, how will you get there?

 

[mikkishelles]

Priceline is awesome! I have used them for the past eight years at least three times per year. I just booked my rental for September at Disney. I did the "Name your Own" price and got an economy for $18 per day. I don't get their insurance because I am covered under my own. I would recommend Priceline to anyone.

 

[kkwis2]

Thanks for the tips and reassurances, everyone! It makes me feel much better knowing that many of you have used them with success. I will be looking for the best price I can get through the internet and then bidding to get an even better price!

Thanks!

 

[hrslvr142]

I'm a little confused but would love to help. You're saying you do NOT need the car until the day after your arrival because you're taking ME...is that right? So I'm wondering why you wouldn't just let ME take your luggage and pick up your rental car right at the airport? And if you're planning to pick up at other than MCO, how will you get there?

I just want to use the rental car to get supplies for our stay. If we can rent it at either the car care center or the dolphin, will just take disney transportation to get there and will return there the next day. We also want to have early ressies at MK for breakfast the next day so thought we would just take the car for that and then return it. Hope this makes sense

 

[pomlover]

I've used Priceline for car rentals (and hotels) with great success.

The real problem, however, in your situation is that you're renting a car in Vegas. The city has added $$$$ in fees to every rental, and you -- the customer -- are getting screwed over. You may do better than $80, but you will pay more in Vegas than you'd pay in other cities.

i remember the car rental we got in Las Vegas was only something like $14 a day but they tacked on $30 in fees. I think they are optional though... not sure...