Rental Car Questions

[damaris13]

Working on our last big budget issue for this trip--a rental car.

Our trip is going to extend well beyond our DLR trip, and we will have the car for about 10 days. It will be DD, DH, me, and sometimes Grandma (would that be DG?) in the car with us at times, in addition to our luggage for a week and a half (including a pack n' play, but thank goodness no bike! DH is leaving that at home).


I've seen some mention of using Priceline, renting cars from DTD, and a few companies (I think Thrifty and Alamo, recently). I just haven't had much experience with renting cars, so I obviously have a few questions...

1. If you've had experience with Priceline car rental (or any other travel website rental), please describe your experience. Do I get to choose the type of car? The company? Or just the price?

2. If you have rented from LAX (which is where we're going to have to rent from as Grandma won't be coming to get us or dropping us off), which company did you go through, and what was your experience?

3. What would you suggest? We're really not spending a lot of time in the car. It's basically a means of transportation from LAX to DLR, then to Sun City, then to San Diego, and back. We're only going to be spending about an hour to an hour and a half at a time in it, so I'm not too concerned with comfort.

I'm reading all these horror stories about rude people, etc. I think a lot of it is people not used to some types of LA personalities. While we're living in the southeast, both DH and I have spent some time out there, as well as various other locations around the world, so I can't imagine it's any worse than anything we've dealt with before.

Thank you!!

 

[01spirit750]

1. If you've had experience with Priceline car rental (or any other travel website rental), please describe your experience. Do I get to choose the type of car? The company? Or just the price?

2. If you have rented from LAX (which is where we're going to have to rent from as Grandma won't be coming to get us or dropping us off), which company did you go through, and what was your experience?

3. What would you suggest? We're really not spending a lot of time in the car. It's basically a means of transportation from LAX to DLR, then to Sun City, then to San Diego, and back. We're only going to be spending about an hour to an hour and a half at a time in it, so I'm not too concerned with comfort.

I'm reading all these horror stories about rude people, etc. I think a lot of it is people not used to some types of LA personalities. While we're living in the southeast, both DH and I have spent some time out there, as well as various other locations around the world, so I can't imagine it's any worse than anything we've dealt with before.

Thank you!!

We have used priceline a couple of times. The deals are not so hot in the Disneyland area (LAX, SNA). I was able to match the prices by shopping around and looking for specials.
When we rent directly thru Budget we got decent (newish) cars but they are all dodges (my wife does not like dodge cars). When we rented from Priceline and got Budget, they gave us a beat up old ford with a ton of miles. I should not have accepted it.
When I rented thru priceline and got Hertz, we got a nice new car and we were very happy.

Try www.biddingfortravel.com
This is just a research tool.
There is a rental car section where you can see what others have paid in the area where you are going.

 

[MickeyManiac]

We've used Priceline a few times from LGB. We've always been very happy with the car and sometimes we've even gotten a free upgrade. They've always been fairly new. Yes, you do get to pick the size of car you rent. No, you do not get to pick the company. We've gotten Budget and Avis at LGB. Since LGB is such a small airport there are only 4 (?) car rental agencies there so the competition isn't quite as stiff. LAX may be a little easier to get a good deal. We've gotten compact cars for as little as $10/day. Right now I'm trying to use Priceline for June and keep getting rejected in the $10-12/day range. I'm not giving up though...

I've also had very good luck using the codes and coupons from Costco. Just remember rental car rates change often, so check daily.

 

[damaris13]

When I do my bid price, it's apparently by day. Will taxes, extra fees be included in that, or will that be added on top?

 

[MickeyManiac]

There will be taxes and fees added to the daily rate. If you continue on through the bidding process it will show you exactly how much will be charged to your card should your bid be accepted. It shows that before you officially place your bid.

Keep in mind if your bid is accepted your card will be charged immediately and the reservation can not be changed or cancelled.

 

[rune_74]

I got a midsize car from lgb for 14 or 15 dollars a day(can't remember the exact amount, not at home) for a total of 225 for 11 days. Priceline is fine, and by far the best deal I found out there for the car, even with discount codes.

 

[DahliaRW]

I've had great luck with priceline and cars. You can pick the size you want (compact, mid, full, van, etc), you just don't know the company. Renting at an airport, it's always going to be a major company. The two times we did it we got Alamo once and Hertz the other time and both were incredible rates.

 

[Hound 109]

I always use Alamo from LAX.

I book it thru the SW Airlines website & it's normally $100 - $120 per week (+ 20% airport fees & taxes). Plus they normally double or triple SW points.

 

[damaris13]

I always use Alamo from LAX.

I book it thru the SW Airlines website & it's normally $100 - $120 per week (+ 20% airport fees & taxes). Plus they normally double or triple SW points.

What size car do you normally get for this price? We're flying SW, so this will add to the points that we already have. But we have to get a full size vehicle with the amount of luggage we will be taking plus the car seat. Then we'll be adding Grandma and some luggage for our mini-trip to San Diego.