Does anyone know of a way to get 1 day car rental discounts?

[lntsmom]

Sigh. By the time you add tax and everything it costs over $100 to rent a car for a day. That's with Budget and using the Mousesavers codes.

I just got brochures from two of the tourism bureaus in Southern CA. One had info about beach transportation...something I'd never seen before.

Here's what I'm finding concerning the car:

1. I could rent a car for a week for just $50 more.

2. I'd still have to pay for tranportation from SNA to HoJo's because the Budget close to HoJo's closes at 5 pm. Well, either that or I'd have to leave the beach by 3 or so...and who wants to do that???

3. None of the online companies I can find have any 1 day deals.

Does anyone here have any ideas? I'm wondering what a cab would run me. Of course, then that brings into play the problem of what to do with our luggage. I can't find any info about either SNA or Laguna Beach having locker rentals.

Sigh. This all seems extraordinarily complicated! The rates I saw last month when I was searching seem to have been "Winter Specials".

 

[Funbobbi]

If you have your local Entertainment book. They always have discounts for car rentals.

www.entertainment.com

 

[babnak]

I found great discounts through costco and AAA. Check your credit union if you have one or your car insurance, some offer discounts also.

 

[lntsmom]

Thanks for the ideas! I will try both! I found out that Trip Rewards offers deals with 4 companies, but their discounts aren't as good as the ones I found at Mousesavers.

I just really hate to pay over $100 for an economy car for one day!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I was going to mention that there's an Alamo place right in DTD, but if ou're going to be starting at SNA that might not work. So where are you going to be when you need it, and where are you going and where will you drop it off? That way I might be able to brainstorm a bit more.

Also, don't forget to look at hotwire and priceline...with the latter you bid, but with the former you just accept offers (not knowing what agency you're using so that part is like priceline).

 

[All About The Mouse]

costco. com?

 

[MickeyNikiNaka]

I don't have my entertainment book in front of me but I think that there might be some coupons in there. When are you going? If you PM me I would probably be able to mail you one of the coupons if it helps you that is.

 

[MinneTinK]

Try using priceline.com, you can name your own price, I just booked an economy car for an under 25 driver(which is an extra charge) for $55/day!

 

[SeattleTink]

I would try Priceline too. I have used it twice now and have had great results. We are arriving tomorrow night and I got a full sized car for $18 a day. My total is $77 and the company is Hertz.

 

[denalimom]

I just did a one way rental on Travelocity - $38 total including tax. for a full size car.

 

[Misskitty3]

I would try Priceline too. I have used it twice now and have had great results. We are arriving tomorrow night and I got a full sized car for $18 a day. My total is $77 and the company is Hertz.

How far in advance did you make your reservations on Priceline? I am wondering if you get a better deal if you book way ahead or if you wait until a few days before the trip?

 

[SeattleTink]

How far in advance did you make your reservations on Priceline? I am wondering if you get a better deal if you book way ahead or if you wait until a few days before the trip?

I did this on February 21 and we leave tomorrow. So that is 2 weeks before the trip, right?

When I bid I usually start a little early because I start with low bids...I started at $12 a day and ended up with $18 a day.

It still is a great deal. On Hotwire the best deal was $98 for 3 days, so I saved about $20 by bidding.

Once your bid is accepted you prepay, that is the only downfall. A regular reservation for a car is pay when you pick up the car. (FYI)

I have had good luck with Priceline and recommend using it to save $ on car rentals.

Good luck.

 

[Misskitty3]

I did this on February 21 and we leave tomorrow. So that is 2 weeks before the trip, right?

When I bid I usually start a little early because I start with low bids...I started at $12 a day and ended up with $18 a day.

It still is a great deal. On Hotwire the best deal was $98 for 3 days, so I saved about $20 by bidding.

Once your bid is accepted you prepay, that is the only downfall. A regular reservation for a car is pay when you pick up the car. (FYI)

I have had good luck with Priceline and recommend using it to save $ on car rentals.

Good luck.

Thanks! We may give this a try tonight.

 

[lntsmom]

Let me ask this: on hotwire and priceline can you bid on only those companies that accept debit cards for payment? I don't use credit cards. I suppose I could apply for one, but it's been so long since I've had one that I'd bet that, in this economy, the credit limit would be insanely low.

We're flying in to SNA around 8 in the morning CA time. I don't really care where I drop the car, but with the companies I was looking at I would have had to drop it back to the airport because their offices on Harbor closed really early- like 5 o'clock.

This will sound crazy, but one thing I regret about our last trip was not staying at the beach to watch sunset. I'd really like to have the option to stay later this time.

I'll poke around on hotline and priceline and see what they say. I've never thought of using them for car rentals! I have to say, though, $20 a day sounds a lot better than the $100 to $200 prices I was seeing elsewhere!

 

[Brady's Mom]

Intsmom- if your debit card has a visa or mastercard symbol on it you can use it just like a credit card. I use mine all the time as a "credit card" even though it is attached to my bank account.