Experiences with Budget or Thrifty at HNL

[marisabuzz]

We currently have a reservation for a full size at Budget, but I just noticed that I get a pretty good discount with Thrifty as well. We have never rented with Thrifty before as we usually rent through Budget or Alamo/Enterprise. The full size is actually $50 cheaper for our dates with Thrifty and they also have a mini van (which is what I wanted to rent but was priced out with Budget) for about $100 more than our full size rental with Budget.

Also to note, our Budget reservation is not a pre-paid one. Thrifty would be a pre-paid one.

How have your experiences been with either of these rental companies at HNL? What are the full size cars at either (Budget says Toyota Camry or similar, Thrifty says Chevy Malibu or similar)?

 

[Monykalyn]

Did you check DIscount Hawaii Car Rental? Our rates dropped and we moved to Alamo (my preference) and it's not prepaid.
Not sure how HNL is but I've had issues with Avis in Florida so leary of renting anywhere but alamo!

 

[marisabuzz]

Did you check DIscount Hawaii Car Rental? Our rates dropped and we moved to Alamo (my preference) and it's not prepaid.
Not sure how HNL is but I've had issues with Avis in Florida so leary of renting anywhere but alamo!

Yes I did and they were over $600+ more expensive for a compact.

 

[Kwami]

I rented with Thrifty at HNL back in 2017. My experience wasn't great. They took absolutely forever to get us a car and then somehow they took even longer to accept it back at the end. Maybe I'm just used to better service and they were running on island time, but I have better things to do than sit around for an hour waiting for someone to get me a car.

Otherwise, everything was OK. The car was clean and nothing was broken and they didn't charge more than the contract. The employees were nice once they finally got around to doing something.

Just today, Alamo's rates went down for my trip in November. You have to keep watching until you're heading to the airport. Rates change all the time.

 

[marisabuzz]

I rented with Thrifty at HNL back in 2017. My experience wasn't great. They took absolutely forever to get us a car and then somehow they took even longer to accept it back at the end. Maybe I'm just used to better service and they were running on island time, but I have better things to do than sit around for an hour waiting for someone to get me a car.

Otherwise, everything was OK. The car was clean and nothing was broken and they didn't charge more than the contract. The employees were nice once they finally got around to doing something.

Just today, Alamo's rates went down for my trip in November. You have to keep watching until you're heading to the airport. Rates change all the time.

Thanks for this. Are you a member of their Blue Chip program by chance? It has a skip the line option and am wondering if that has any impact. We are getting in just before 9pm Hawaii time which is 6 hours different to EST so it wouldn't be fun for them to take forever to get a car.

Just checked Alamo through Costco and it's still almost a grand more than what we're booked for with Budget.

 

[Kwami]

Thanks for this. Are you a member of their Blue Chip program by chance? It has a skip the line option and am wondering if that has any impact. We are getting in just before 9pm Hawaii time which is 6 hours different to EST so it wouldn't be fun for them to take forever to get a car.

Just checked Alamo through Costco and it's still almost a grand more than what we're booked for with Budget.

Nah, I'm not Blue Chip. That might have helped. Coming in later probably helps, too. We were there mid-afternoon after an inter-island flight. And remember, my experience was five years ago. They could be better (or worse) by now!