Question about car rentals and pricline..

[goofy4tink]

I'm going to need a car for about 10 days next April. It will cost me about $300...which I'll pay if I have to, but would rather find a cheaper way to do it.
So....I keep hearing about those of you who use Priceline to rent cars. I realize that I don't get too much of a choice regarding company but other than that, what do I need to know??
Also...how do I get the best rate? Can someone actually walk me through the process and tell me when I should start the process.
Thanks guys.

 

[goofy4tink]

Aw, come on guys. Someone has to have an answer for me.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

300.00 for 10 days is not that bad.. But, I have very good luck with carrentals.com.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll first give you the negatives:
1) Will you have another driver? You can generally find a code that waives the additional driver fee. You'll always pay the fee with PL, even if you're a member of the Emerald Club etc.
2) Most of the "quick-rent" programs won't apply.
3) You won't get frequent flier credits (not a big deal)
4) Normal polcies regarding a grace period for returning the car late or extending your contract may not apply.

First check your existing rate. Try Kayak. Try any web promotions.

Find out how much hotwire is charging. You're going to want to bid less then that. If you need more help drop me a PM. I'll search and try to find out how much less then hotwire works.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree, $300 for ten days is not bad. However, book the cheapest concealable rate you can and keep checking every week for a lower rate (also keep an eye out here as people will post when they see rate drops). If you see a better rate, book it and cancel the higher rate. Come time for the trip you may have been able to shave 1/3 or more off of your initial rate. Only use Priceline as a last resort. I think though you will find that you end up with a pretty good rate that you are happy with without Priceline.

 

[Rpsemont]

We always rent a car when we go (3 trips a year) I haven't used priceline in many years - mostly because I have been able to find a rental rate with codes or coupons that is probably comparable to any rate I'd get on priceline. I regularly check www.carrentals.com, www.carrentalsavers.com and individual sites using the codes you can find on mousesavers. And of course, watch these boards for when someone gets a deal. April is a long way off. Depending on the days in April (are you going easter time, or later in month) will tell you whether $300 is a good rate or not. It's not a bad rate, but we have gotten 10 day rentals before for around $200 that allow for a second driver free. The other thing to consider is do you really need the car the whole time? SOmetimes, when I haven't been able to get an "affordable" rate, and I'm staying on site I will rent a car at the airport for a couple days, and then drop at one of the many places convenient to WDW - then pick up another car a few days later and in between just "tough it out" and use Disney transportion. I have also split my rental times into two reservations. This is particularly effective for a 10 day period if you're arriving on a Thursday or Friday. In that case, you make one reservation for Thursday - sunday, and the second for sunday - sunday.
Last year, during one of our trips, I got a one week rate with coupons for $140 and also got a special $10/day weekend rate. So we picked up at MCO on Thursday night with Alamo $10 Rate (total cost about $42), turned the car at Buena Vista palace on Sunday night at 4PM, walked to the Regal Sun resort and rented from Dollar there which we returned to MCO the following SUnday. Total cost for 10 days - $182.

Keep Looking and good luck!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks guys. Since nobody was horrified with that $300 price, I'll probably just book something soon, and then keep watching.
My issue is that we land at Sanford and go directly to Cocoa Beach for a few days. Then, off for a 4 night cruise (yes, parking at the ship for that $15 a day..dh insists), then over to WDW for the last 3 nights, and then back to Sanford. Just about the only place I can save is by returning the car while on the ship but dh hates having to shuttle around and it really doesn't take that much off the overall price anyway.
Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd only try PL a month before your trip. I'd probably pay the $300 rather then use PL. I don't think you'd save enough to justify losing an additional free driver and the ability to cancel without penalty if somethihg changes.

You only need a car for 3-4 days after your cruise. That means no weekly rate. Now if you want to extend your trip by a couple of days two one way rentals might give you a better rate. I'm not surprised renting a car for the entire 10 days isn't that much more then breaking up your rental.

 

[Rpsemont]

Thanks guys. Since nobody was horrified with that $300 price, I'll probably just book something soon, and then keep watching.
My issue is that we land at Sanford and go directly to Cocoa Beach for a few days. Then, off for a 4 night cruise (yes, parking at the ship for that $15 a day..dh insists), then over to WDW for the last 3 nights, and then back to Sanford. Just about the only place I can save is by returning the car while on the ship but dh hates having to shuttle around and it really doesn't take that much off the overall price anyway.
Thanks for the thoughts.

So Maybe you could rent Thursday - Thursday and combine with a Thursday - Sunday. Sometimes I am holidng 5-6 different reservation of different configurations. About a week before, I decide what I'm going to use and cancel the rest. Another option is to drive to WDW post cruise, one person take the car to MCO and use magical express to get back to WDW, Then do a one day rental to return to Sanford. A little hassle intensive, but has potential to save a few bucks.

 

[goofy4tink]

It really is cheaper to just rent for the entire 10 days...even when I consider the parking fee at port. Just going to bite the bullet and book for the whole darn trip.

 

[leebee]

Are you talking about renting in April 2011? You have PLENTY of time! There aren't many coupons out yet for Aug '10, so I am guessing there's nothing to bring down the price for 2011... yet. $300 for 10 days really doesn't stink, and I think that prices will fall between now and then, coupons will be available, etc. Book the $300 rate, but don't put down money or give them your credit card number; just make the reservation. Check back every month (or more frequently as 2011 gets closer) and monitor the rates. I bet you could beat $300.

 

[minster22]

Are you going during MA school vacation week?How big a car do you need? Your final price depends alot on the timing. My strategy is to book something far ahead with a rate that if I have to pay, its something I can live with. (Your $300 amount) I am like a crazy person after that checking daily (I know the Alamo codes by heart) with the company that I have had the best prices with, that has been Alamo the past couple of years. The best rates have been within a month or so of my most recent trips but that does change thru the years and sometimes doesn't apply to really busy WDW times.I usually use a Costco or BJs code with an Alamo coupon. I paid $132.00 for an 8 day rental compact with Alamo using Costco code/$25 off Alamo coupon. We picked a Hyundia Elantra and it was roomier than I thought. I also would never count on getting a bigger car from either National Emerald Aisle or the Alamo pick out your own car. Might happen but of course Murphy's Law would apply for sure!!My best rate ever was with Alamo, Sept week rental for an intermediate for $61 all taxes and fees!!! I saved my receipt!!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I'd only try PL a month before your trip. I'd probably pay the $300 rather then use PL. I don't think you'd save enough to justify losing an additional free driver and the ability to cancel without penalty if somethihg changes.

As a user a priceline rentals (this past weekend in Denver for example) ... the above is great advice. PL is good for last minute rentals (not planned advanced bookings) .... if you can get a rate of $300 with the ability to cancel, I think you are fine. I'm paying almost $300 for eight days is DFW (non PL booking).

 

[goofy4tink]

Are you going during MA school vacation week?How big a car do you need? Your final price depends alot on the timing. My strategy is to book something far ahead with a rate that if I have to pay, its something I can live with. (Your $300 amount) I am like a crazy person after that checking daily (I know the Alamo codes by heart) with the company that I have had the best prices with, that has been Alamo the past couple of years. The best rates have been within a month or so of my most recent trips but that does change thru the years and sometimes doesn't apply to really busy WDW times.I usually use a Costco or BJs code with an Alamo coupon. I paid $132.00 for an 8 day rental compact with Alamo using Costco code/$25 off Alamo coupon. We picked a Hyundia Elantra and it was roomier than I thought. I also would never count on getting a bigger car from either National Emerald Aisle or the Alamo pick out your own car. Might happen but of course Murphy's Law would apply for sure!!My best rate ever was with Alamo, Sept week rental for an intermediate for $61 all taxes and fees!!! I saved my receipt!!

Yep, vacation week, which ends on Easter Sunday if I remember correctly!! Talk about insult added to injury. But we got a really terrific fare on Direct Air out of Worcester and we leave on the Thursday before vacation.
You're right. I'll book with Budget now and then keep my eyes open.

 

[dioxide45]

Entertainment.com coupons are valid through June 2011 for the 2010 book. You can pick up a book cheap now. Probably for about $10-$15 with free shipping. The Entertainment coupons are some of the best out there with the double upgrade coupon.

We are renting a car for two weeks and one of those weeks it will be sitting for $15 a day at Port Canaveral for seven days. We agree with your DH, we want to avoid the shuttles and hassle. Easier to just budget in the extra cost.