PRICELINE for Car rental

[nezy]

Has anyone ever used Priceline for a car rental? I am getting a good rate for "name your own price" and just wondering if there are any 'Catches" or things that i need to know before I book.

 

[robinb]

I don't know what you mean by getting a good price through the "name your own price" Priceline product. You don't know if your price that you named is accepted until you actually pull the trigger and commit your credit card to a non-refundable reservation.

I have been able to get GREAT rates through Priceline. I start bidding at 60% of the Hotwire rate for the same time period. I keep a little spread sheet to keep track of everything and my rebids. I also make sure I don't go over my back-up rate.

 

[nifferearly]

I've gotten great rates through Priceline in the past and there's no "catch". It's always been with a national rental chain.

 

[robinb]

I've gotten great rates through Priceline in the past and there's no "catch". It's always been with a national rental chain.

The only "catch" is that once you commit to your bid and it is accepted it is totally non-refundable. You must be double-dog sure of your dates as Priceline will not change things after they accept your bid.

 

[jbhaupt]

We have used priceline a few times to book a car....If you do not mind going to an off-site location (this happen once to us) it is great. One time we went to Hertz in MCO and it was a nightmare. We had to take the bus there...and waited over an hour at midnight. I will only use priceline now if the regular rates..with discount codes/coupons are crazy.

I prefer Emerald (just go grab my car) and Dollar.

priceline does have amazing deals...My rental rate on time was over $200 for a mid-size and I knocked it down to $90.

Good luck..just remember when you book it...you book it...no changes. Make sure all you air-fare times are intact.

Bonnie

 

[nezy]

That was one of my concerns-getting an off airport location that requires a shuttle! Our flight get in at 11:30 pmso I do not want to be hassling w/shuttles etc.

 

[JandD Mom]

The way I understand it, if you book a priceline reservation, you do not get a free extra driver, even if you are a member of the club for the agency you end up with, and you would normally be able to have your spouse drive for free.

For example, if you are and Emerald CLub member with national, your spouse or business associate is an authorized driver for the car. If you get National through priceline, you do not get to use the emerald aisle, and you do not get the authorized drivers. Budget, Hertz, and Avis normally allow the extra driver in their clubs too.

BEcause we are members of all of those clubs, and because DH and I normally both drive the car, we have not used Priceline for the rental