Costco Travel - rental cars

[sherilaine]

Just wanted to mention - if anyone is renting a car from Costco travel - make sure to re-check every so often after you've made your reservation. We made our reservation about 2 months out and we are just over 3 weeks away from our trip and the price has dropped $100 during that time.

It pays to check back.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Ditto. Mine dropped $80.

 

[dragonflycurls]

Wow! I love Costco travel and thought my original rate was great, just saved another $50! Thanks for the tip!

 

[tinkpower]

It definitely pays to check rates repeatedly. We have an SUV for a week for $181. If i were to book it now it's $462.

 

[sherilaine]

Yes, there is that sweet spot - rates do drop and then once you get so close they just start climbing...

 

[Cal-Pie]

I've been checking daily for the last 8 months, and in my area they only go up, and up and up...

 

[sherilaine]

I've been checking daily for the last 8 months, and in my area they only go up, and up and up...

I find the rates out of LAX are quite good - booking for another trip this coming summer the rates are so much higher there and they don't drop - but that is because it's a much smaller place, I guess it all comes down to how many cars they rent.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I find the rates out of LAX are quite good - booking for another trip this coming summer the rates are so much higher there and they don't drop - but that is because it's a much smaller place, I guess it all comes down to how many cars they rent.

We live 6.5 hours from DL, so with a family of five it makes sense to rent here and drive. We have the blessing and the curse of living in a small city very near several national parks that are wildly popular with international visitors. There are only two rental car agencies and they know they can demand top dollar, so they do. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place, but cursed with terrible travel rates, I suppose.

For our trip next month, I'm actually renting in a town 45 minutes away because I saved several hundred booking there. I always find the best prices through Costco though!

 

[Satye1]

It definitely pays to check rates repeatedly. We have an SUV for a week for $181. If i were to book it now it's $462.

How far out did you book your SUV? Is it a full size or intermediate?

 

[sheetz]

This actually goes for renting a car thru any booking channel. Car rental prices fluctuate just like hotel rates and airfares.

 

[dragonflycurls]

We've always had better luck with SUV pricing to reserve a tier or two lower and upgrade when we got there.

 

[sherilaine]

I also found that joining the car rental carrier 'club' - as joining most are free - can often result in a better quality vehicle or upgrade upon arrival. Interestingly enough about the SUVs though, right now for our dates a standard SUV is cheaper than both the intermediate SUV or full size car. Normally it is more expensive.

We've always had better luck with SUV pricing to reserve a tier or two lower and upgrade when we got there.

 

[tinkpower]

How far out did you book your SUV? Is it a full size or intermediate?

It's full size, I booked it about 5 weeks ago for our may trip.

 

[tinkpower]

Something else to look for... Check in one airport and out of another of you are flexible. We wanted to fly in and out of SNA but the flight times wouldn't work for us. We got a good deal flying in SNA and out of LAX. When I checked Costco for that situation we were surprised to see the SUV for the same great price of a mini van in and out of LAX

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have a mid SUV now (Feb 3-10) from SNA, Alamo via Costco, it was $124! GMC Envoy.

 

[sherilaine]

I have to say - we are 6 days out and the price has still dropped a bit every few days - it's gone down 40% from the original price when I booked early January.

Usually I have found once you are about 2 weeks out the price starts to go up - but I guess it's all about supply and demand.

Some love this Costco travel finally coming to Canada thing...

 

[JenniferH]

Thank you for the reminder - just saved a little bit.

 

[heybets30]

We almost ALWAYS book through Costco ... we actually got a better price - by $120 through AVIS directly (using AARP) the day before we left! I held Costco minivan - started at $484, got down to $403 at the lowest for last week from SNA ... hubby went on to AARP site for kicks & giggles, and the rate was better.

AAA and AARP are worth checking too! They were more for our HI vacation than Costco. We saw rates go up & down even during one day on the Costco site. I booked my $403 in the morning, checked in the afternoon, and it was back to $464. Definitely check OFTEN!!!

 

[DahliaRW]

If a reservation I have is refundable, I always keep checking. Cars, hotels, etc. If it's a hotel, I'll call and see if they'll change the rate (if not or if I don't want to call I book another room and then cancel the original). Ditto with rental cars. Generally, I'll make an initial "I can live with the price" reservation as soon as we decide to go, and then keep an eye out and change things as needed.