Priceline and bidding on rentals in Orlando

[psimon]

I looking for some experiences and tips when using the Priceline bidding for a car at the airport (we are looking for a minivan).

• When you succeeded, was the vehicle at the airport or did you have to go way off somewhere on a bus?
• Did you get one of the major brands or was it an off-brand?
• How much did you really save by bidding vs just signing up for a car?
• Would you do it again?

All other thoughts appreciated...

thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[aaarcher86]

I looking for some experiences and tips when using the Priceline bidding for a car at the airport (we are looking for a minivan).

• When you succeeded, was the vehicle at the airport or did you have to go way off somewhere on a bus?
• Did you get one of the major brands or was it an off-brand?
• How much did you really save by bidding vs just signing up for a car?
• Would you do it again?

All other thoughts appreciated...

thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

We did it out of tampa. I think I got the car for about 1/2 less overall. Whatever I wad getting quoted per day I just out my bid in at half that. It was a major brand. The website tells you who the car could possibly be through and they're all recognizable.

We plan on doing it again for October. Only downside was that you pay upfront and there are no refunds.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is better not to go with Priceline's suggested bid; that is usually too high.

If you are unsuccessful, you need to wait a day or two or you need to change at least one parameter (such as geographical area) before rebidding.

Be careful if you rebid. Something could have changed all by itself and result in a rental that you really did not want.

 

[nacho113]

First, you will want to check a search engine like carrentalsavers.com or carrentals.com to get an idea of what vehicles are going for on your dates.

Second, you want to be very sure about your vacation details. Accepted bids are final, charged to your CC immediately and are NOT changeable or refundable.

Third, Priceline will show you the final price of your bid (incl taxes and fees) after you put in your bid, but before you are fully committed. Priceline includes it's fees in this final price so you will want to compare the final (all in) price with the quote you got first to see if you are actually getting a deal.

For example: a 4 day rental booked directly may be $25/day + $75 taxes and fees = $175
a 4 day Priceline NYOP bid of $19/day +$100 taxes, fees and Priceline fee = $176
You think you are getting a better price because you are bidding lower daily rate but the extra fees negate the perceived savings.

Personally, I've tried Pricelines NYOP for car rental but have never committed since the final price really wasn't good enough to justify the risk of: 1) 100% not cancel-able or changeable, 2) don't find out which rental company until after your bid is accepted (love my Alamo), 3) no chance to re-book if plans change or rental prices drop (I know it's really the same as #1 but I'm all about the hunt for the best price - book the best price you can find, check back regularly, re-book when rates drop...rinse and repeat).

With so much rental car competition at MCO it seems that the Priceline NYOP option doesn't work nearly as well at MCO, as at other locations.

 

[strat68]

Yeah, watch the fees. For SEA-TAC (Seattle) car rental fees run about 30 to 50% of the quoted rate.

 

[keishashadow]

I looking for some experiences and tips when using the Priceline bidding for a car at the airport (we are looking for a minivan).

• When you succeeded, was the vehicle at the airport or did you have to go way off somewhere on a bus?
• Did you get one of the major brands or was it an off-brand?
• How much did you really save by bidding vs just signing up for a car?
• Would you do it again?

All other thoughts appreciated...

thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

when we've needed a minivan and prices just too high in MCO (after watching for months and trying all the likely codes), priceline worked out. bid approx a month out, for a really busy time - WDW marathon.

Got a brand-new mini-van from Hertz. Took over an hour to wait/stand at the counter in MCO, wasn't factoring that into the equation.

looked up my res, paid $230 for a week, direct was almost double.

1) have you gone to 'your' month's thread here and worked at the various combinations? If nothing is reasonable a few weeks out, then it's time to try priceline.

2) check out hotwire first, just to see what their lowest price is for your dates. Subtract 10 - 20% off that rate and it's likely where you will be accepted, at that point in time, on priceline.

3) throw out a ridicuously low bid on priceline, say $8 a day. They will state what rate has a good chance of being accepted, bid somewhere in the middle between the two numbers, if that rate works for you, and you may get lucky.

4) as stated above by nacho, do your homework and make sure to factor in all the taxes/fees before committing.

good luck

 

[psimon]

Where do I find "my month"?

We are going in June this year.

Many Thanks!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[nacho113]

Where do I find "my month"?

We are going in June this year.

Many Thanks!

---Paul in Southern NJ

http://www.disboards.com/threads/june-2016-car-rental-watch.3467843/

 

[psimon]

Thanks!