Priceline?

[csharpwv]

Has anyone ever used Priceline for a rental car?
How far in advance did you use it?
What was your price paid?

Please share any and all experiences with Priceline that you have had.

I have never used a 3rd party website at all, but with the prices I am seeing for our Labor Day trip have encouraged me to use Priceline to see what kind of deal I can get.

Advice to share?

 

[Bren's Mom]

I have used Priceline numerous times for rental cars. Have always gotten a great deal and been very satisfied.

I generally don't bother to bid until a couple of weeks before I need to go. If my offers are rejected I just wait a day or two and bid again (used to be 3 days, now it's 24 hours you have to wait I think).

I always always have a back up reservation. I make the least expensive ressie I can, booked directly. Cancellable. That way if I am not successful with priceline I know I have a car.

If I had to make the reservation and couldn't go unless I found a cheaper car, it would hurt to start trying priceline sooner.

Price paid is totally irrelevant. It completely depends on where you're renting, for how long, what size vehicle, etc. But I've always paid about half of the total it was to book directly (even with coupons, etc.).

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I got a really good rate through hotwire - $14.95/day - the company turned out to be Alamo and we were really pleased - just returned. I have heard of lots of people using priceline too - might check betterbidding.com - rental car section for more info.

 

[Cierese]

I've used priceline several times for hotels and air, but never rental cars.... I'm looking at it now though. I WISH someone did 'name your own' for one way flights or cars...