My Recent Priceline Rental Experience

[BadgerGirl84]

I had gone through Priceline for the first time for my 8/30-9/9 trip to rent a minivan. Rates were through the roof for my dates so I got a rental for $300 through Priceline. Had I waited it out a bit more (booked about 45 days prior to trip) I could have gotten something in the $300s using a standard reservation, but I didn't have a crystal ball.

We got Hertz. I had never rented through Hertz--always National or Alamo. DH got a Hertz Gold membership as I read online that even though Priceline rentals don't allow you to get the Gold benefits, Gold members can still check in at the Gold desk at the airport to pick up their Priceline rental.

Well, that was FALSE at MCO. We walked all the way to the Gold desk in the structure where they keep the cars and she said she couldn't help us and sent us back to the terminal where there was a REALLY long line. We waited 45 minutes in line (not exaggerating) and found out they were out of minivans and large SUVs and wanted to put us on a wait list where the wait could be 30 minutes - 3 hours. UM, NO. I was traveling with my 13 month and she was getting hungry for dinner, so that was not an option.

DH suggested I run down to the National desk to see what they would quote me as an Exec Emerald Club member just in case we needed to eat the cost of the Priceline reservation and get a new rental. They quoted me $375, which I thought was a fair price--way lower than my national quotes I was getting prior to the trip.

I decided to call Priceline while we were still at the Hertz gate and got a live person on the phone in about 2 minutes. I explained that Hertz was out of cars and the PRiceline person asked to speak to the Hertz rep on my cell phone--Hertz person confirmed the car outage.

Priceline then offered to cancel and refund my reservation in full. THEN they said I could get a rental at any other desk and they would pay me the difference in cost if I sent them the receipt. I was shocked--I was totally expecting them to say "too bad, so sad, wait for your car..."

What was really a nightmare scenario (we were at the airport for 90 minutes dealing with this whole car thing) turned out just fine, and as an added bonus, we got free additional driver with National since I'm an Emerald club member. That ended up being so helpful, as there were a few times DH was tired in the evening and I went and picked up something from the store by myself.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I wish I had thought to call priceline when I arrived at SFO last month, at midnight, to be told Hertz was out of cars and we would be waiting 45 minutes to an hour.

I ultimately agreed to an upsell, and headed outto the garage to find the car I had originally booked sitting there (with about 100 other cars).

I went back inside and demanded the car I paid for.

It was a huge mess, but I did prevail. If I had thought to call Priceline, I could have saved a ton of time.

 

[peel]

You both are definitely not painting a very good picture of Hertz! I think I'll be steering clear of them, especially after the second story. How incredibly shady!!!

 

[CPT Tripss]

You both are definitely not painting a very good picture of Hertz! I think I'll be steering clear of them, especially after the second story. How incredibly shady!!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I will never rent from Hertz again. All the other counters had no lines or very short lines. The Hertz line was 45 minutes long--with the reason being that they were out of most types of cars. There were several people who I took to be managers walking around behind the desk, seemingly doing nothing, while the line got longer and longer. I have nothing good to say about this company--at least the MCO branch. They said the reason they were oversold was that several flights were late and everyone got there at once. Funny how that issue only impacted Hertz and the other car rental counters had cars available.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Badger girl,
I'm sorry to jump in the thread I'm reading because it was a priceline event...but I saw you stayed at Windsor Hills. Did you past anywhere about your experience?
We have a reservation for October.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Badger girl,
I'm sorry to jump in the thread I'm reading because it was a priceline event...but I saw you stayed at Windsor Hills. Did you past anywhere about your experience?
We have a reservation for October.

Posting a review of WH is on my to-do list. I will not be returning. We rented through Vacation Central Florida after reading great reviews here on the DIS. We rented a 3bed/3bath townhome owned directly by the owners of Vacation Central Florida. Everything in the unit was old and outdated--carpet needed to be replaced, 2 of the 3 ipod chargers didn't work, kitchenware was barely usable, mattresses and bedding old, and worst--cleanliness was not up to par with what I was expecting. We enjoyed the splash pool one night but it was tiny. With a 13 month old, we did not have the energy or desire to walk ALL the way to the big community pool or get her loaded in the car to drive there. We will be going back to Bonnet Creek next time.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Posting a review of WH is on my to-do list. I will not be returning. We rented through Vacation Central Florida after reading great reviews here on the DIS. We rented a 3bed/3bath townhome owned directly by the owners of Vacation Central Florida. Everything in the unit was old and outdated--carpet needed to be replaced, 2 of the 3 ipod chargers didn't work, kitchenware was barely usable, mattresses and bedding old, and worst--cleanliness was not up to par with what I was expecting. We enjoyed the splash pool one night but it was tiny. With a 13 month old, we did not have the energy or desire to walk ALL the way to the big community pool or get her loaded in the car to drive there. We will be going back to Bonnet Creek next time.

Was it 2526 by any chance, or near it ? I thought this was a newer unit.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Was it 2526 by any chance, or near it ? I thought this was a newer unit.

No, it was 7678 Sir Kaufmann. That one is owned by different people, so you may have better luck. We liked the location of the Windsor Hills resort (so many good restaurants near by--Chuys and Bonefish Grill were our faves) and it was super quick to get into the parks. Hope you have better luck with your unit--I would only go back if I knew for sure the unit was up-to-date and sparkling clean. We complained to the owner of our unit about a clogged sink, burnt out bulbs and the cleanliness. They fixed the sink and bulbs but never cleaned it.

 

[stasijane]

I'm sorry you had to wait so long a the airport, but glad you had a happy ending

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

No, it was 7678 Sir Kaufmann. That one is owned by different people, so you may have better luck. We liked the location of the Windsor Hills resort (so many good restaurants near by--Chuys and Bonefish Grill were our faves) and it was super quick to get into the parks. Hope you have better luck with your unit--I would only go back if I knew for sure the unit was up-to-date and sparkling clean. We complained to the owner of our unit about a clogged sink, burnt out bulbs and the cleanliness. They fixed the sink and bulbs but never cleaned it.

There is a video which shows a recently acquired and sparkling new, per say. Nice Disney decor, princess room, Mickey paintings and knobs on cabinets. I lost three of my traveling party so a value with my discount is doable at
only $127 more, and free parking. But, I would lose the deposit now. I think I will just check it out. Thanks for the information, let you know how this unit is. Decor looks spot on, updated technology, crossing fingers.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

There is a video which shows a recently acquired and sparkling new, per say. Nice Disney decor, princess room, Mickey paintings and knobs on cabinets. I lost three of my traveling party so a value with my discount is doable at
only $127 more, and free parking. But, I would lose the deposit now. I think I will just check it out. Thanks for the information, let you know how this unit is. Decor looks spot on, updated technology, crossing fingers.

Go for it. If something is wrong, call the manager immediately. We still enjoyed our stay and all the space--we just don't think we will return. I really think that the main issue was that whatever cleaning crew they had cleaning our unit was starting to cut corners and it showed.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I wish I had thought to call priceline when I arrived at SFO last month, at midnight, to be told Hertz was out of cars and we would be waiting 45 minutes to an hour.

I ultimately agreed to an upsell, and headed outto the garage to find the car I had originally booked sitting there (with about 100 other cars).

I went back inside and demanded the car I paid for.

It was a huge mess, but I did prevail. If I had thought to call Priceline, I could have saved a ton of time.

That stinks--what a crummy experience. I had a wonderful customer service experience with Priceline...I just don't think I could ever book with them for fear of getting Hertz again. Even if they did have to "make things right" on a future reservation, it still cost me all the time waiting in line. Plus, at a busier time, who is to say there would be a minivan available at the other rental companies?

 

[Lewisc]

DH got a Hertz Gold membership as I read online that even though Priceline rentals don't allow you to get the Gold benefits, Gold members can still check in at the Gold desk at the airport to pick up their Priceline rental.

Well, that was FALSE at MCO.

AFAIK there isn't anything on the Hertz or PL websites which suggests a Gold Card lets you skip the line. Rely on the experiences posted by anonymous posters at your own risk.

That stinks--what a crummy experience. I had a wonderful customer service experience with Priceline...I just don't think I could ever book with them for fear of getting Hertz again.

Shortage of cars occasionally happens with all agencies. Having a third party (PL) available to help was a positive experience for you.