Renting a Car on Priceline?

[jgates]

1. Any recommendations?
2. Approximate Savings?
3. Maximum length of rental (we need about 16 days - do they go that long?)
4. How far ahead can you do it? 6 months, 6 weeks, etc?

 

[XStAnt]

Check out www.biddingfortravel.com. They have advice on using priceline. They also have an entire section on how to bid for a rental car, along with winning bids and discount codes.

 

[CarolA]

I have tried to rent a car several times. Normally the rates I get myself using codes etc.. are lower then any bid I can get PL to accept. Be sure you have investigated ALL other options so that you know what the going rate is.

 

[inkkognito]

Carol is right...find that lowest price first via codes, etc., then bid below that on Priceline (remember to figure in the $5.95 service fee). When we rent a car, it's usually only for a couple of days so we get soaked on the rate because the bargains are usually for weeklies. But I find the lowest rate, which is usually through L & M or some off-brand and then bid that same rate on Priceline. I get that rate for a name-brand that is on-site at MCO (usually Alamo or Avis, although I did get Hertz once). I've payed anywhere from $14 to $18 per day for an economy or compact, depending on whether it was a holiday or a slow time of the year, and I've often been upgraded when they were out of the class I'd chosen. Sometimes I start my bidding a couple of months in advance, but the best deals usually seem to be closer to the actual date.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[jgates]

Thanks guys! I have always just been leary of priceline - mostly because I like to 'know' where I am staying etc. I know I could do really well sometimes, but I like my security blanket of knowing where I am going to be when. Besides most of the time there are 3 or 4 of us and since we can't be guaranteed 2 beds, it could be a problem.

Other than Mousesavers, the coupons that come in your credit card bill & AAA magazine, etc, where do I find codes? The ones I had in my MasterCard bill expire on 12/31. Where else should I be hunting for them.

 

[XStAnt]

For discount codes and coupons you might want to also try the Entertainment Book, Costco or BJs, or AAA.

Also, on www.biddingfortravel.com some people have posted lists of discount codes. Check under "Websites for Checking Rental Car Rates" under the Rental Car section. It's very tedious to weed through what is good and what you can't use because some of the posts are old (and you need to be careful about some of the codes since they are for specific people such as employees and company execs and if you try to use it you could end up paying alot motr $$$ when you get to the rental counter.) But if you have a few hours late at night it could provide some useful info.