Priceline Minivan $25/day(Incl fees)

[Rpsemont]

Didn't know if I should post here or the the budget board, but yesterday snagged a minivan for 4 days (3/15-3/19) for a total cost of under $100 at Avis through Priceline. Now if I can only get a deal on the hotel rooms.

 

[denisenh]

That is really good!! I wish I had the nerve to do priceline!!
I know, I know...I just need to educate myself on the subject. I fear the unknown.
Congrats on the nerve..... and the great deal!

 

[friskykitten]

I have used priceline quite a bit for airlines and hotels. Where they can really get you is that your locked into your dates. So if you have to change your dates or completely forgo the vacation then you are out of the money anyway. No refunds or changes. That is what has always scared me!! I actually did have it happen once. Two summers ago my child got deathly ill with an asthma attack so we had to push our vacation back a few weeks. Lost all that we had paid and had to reschedule everything and pay it again.

Still if you are solid in you ability to go when planned and don't mind losing the money if it doesn't work out, then Priceline can save you a ton of money!!

Depends on your risk factor I guess.

 

[denisenh]

Frisky...just had my 5 year old DD at the Dr. yesterday with a severe asthma attack. It is just the pits...back to nebulizer and prednisone! Poor little thing.
Anyway, I did get the nerve to do priceline for car rentals, but i bidded at 15 and 20 dollars per day for 3 different sizes and all were rejected. I know that it was really low.
I have 2 ressies right now, EA for $307 total for a week and Avis for $212. total, but I am not sure about the AWD code that I used, from the Avis website. It actually expires before our time of rental but I have my conformation page printed out. I am afraid that I will have to pay more than the $212. when we show up. I guess that I will give price line a whirl again in a few days. I really hate to be a "ressie hog" so I will cancel one of mine as soon as I figure out which one.

 

[Beanie]

Denise, I can certainly relate to the daughter with asthma story...mine is on Pulmicort through the Neb!!

Rpsemont...Great deal on a minivan!! Thanks for the information!

 

[denisenh]

Aww.... Beanie, Is that her in the pic? She is adorable! Here's to a better winter for all little kids (and adults) with asthma. And a with a big thumbs up for your little one!

 

[Beanie]

Thanks, Denise!! Same to you!! Winters up here are so harsh on her! Yes, that is her picture...she is 2...

Thanks again, hope the Prednisone works wonders!

 

[friskykitten]

I think (hope) my daughter has it under control. She is on Flovent as a preventitive now and it seems to be working fairly well. When she gets a virus though she tends to fall back into her hard breathing patterns. They are doing studies on Serevent for the younger ones now so that may be another option later on.

I have a ressie at L&M car rental for $159/week (with taxes it is $209/week) for a minivan. This is for the first week of June and everywhere else is showing around $400/week before taxes and fees. As we get closer to our dates and more sure that nothing will stop our vacation I will try Priceline again.

 

[denisenh]

Glad to hear that your daughter is doing well Frisky!

Well, I called Avis and they said that they will honor my rate. The reservationist said "I see you reserved and canceled 5 times." Oh my gosh, did I? I really don't think it was 5. (I didn't say it but I thought it.) How completely embarrassing is that? I had no idea that my activity showed up somewhere!
Well guess what? I checked out about 6 different companies including reserves and cancels and priceline as well....so I guess I was floating through a few computers over the past few days. Gosh, I wish I didn't have to shop around for an affordable rental. What am I supposed to do? Keep the higher rate when I have found something better? Can you tell the guilt is setting in? Ok I will be quiet now.
Now to cancel my EA reservation.....

 

[dtuleya]

GOOOD JOB! I was going to be staying at a Hampton Inn @ BWI (Baltimore) for $140/night (includes parking) and thought that was a good deal.....all others in area wanted $270+. Got on priceline and got a room at the Courtyard Marriott for $50!!!!!!! They are going to charge me $5/day to park, but that only comes to $40, so we're still saving $50!!!!! Thanks priceline. Just wish I was brave enough to book our car. Waiting for my Emerald Isle membership #. Right now we have a full-sized through National w/Disney Club and coupon for 8 days for a total of $185.28. Don't think that is so bad......but think I can get off more $$ when I have my Emerald Isle #.

 

[friskykitten]

Well, I just tried for a minivan through priceline. A ridiculously low bid of $18 + $2 bonus. Needless to say it was rejected. I am still very happy with my L&M ressie but I am not sure if I like their fleet of vehicles. Still I had to try!!

 

[dtuleya]

Does anyone know which car rental companies priceline uses???? I'd like to get something at the MCO airport

 

[Rpsemont]

If you check out the BiddingforTravel.com site you can see what companies you might get with priceline. We got Alamo the last tme I used Priceline - which is not in the terminal. Personally, I didn't think it was that bad, but other have posted terrible experience with them. I'm really thrilled to get Avis this time.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Avis, National, Alamo and I think Budget.
They tell you which ones they use (not who you will get) on their website.
I got a intermediate for this coming Friday for a week for 146.37 including taxes.
I bid 15.00 and even though they said it probably would not be accepted I went for it anyway and got the price I wanted and it is onsite with Avis. Much better than the net rates.

 

[coachv]

Back on the board again this year. Just decided to go back to WDW.
Does the priceline bid actually include unlimited milage? Thinking about renting a minivan
to drive from Dallas to WDW and back. Save my poor van the hard trip.

 

[Rpsemont]

As far as I know it includes unlimited mileage. YOu'd have to check their website and the rules to be sure. I really don't worry about it. Over w days at WDW we probably won't even drive 100 miles.