Should I just go with the $13.95 rental car from Hotwire?

[nilseks]

I have been reading the boards, and I know that many people say you should wait until about a month out to book your rental car. We are going in December so I have quite some time. However, what I am reading on the threads for trips in the next few months is that rates are going up, rates are higher than last year, etc etc.

I have looked on carrentalsavers for the discounts and whatnot. Again, I'm still a few months out. But I also get the alerts from Hotwire and over the past few days I've been getting emails for $13.95/day for a standard size car during our stay. I can live with that figure, but of course lower would be better. Would love suggestions on whether you think we can do better for first week of December. Thanks!

 

[vacationclub]

I have been reading the boards, and I know that many people say you should wait until about a month out to book your rental car. We are going in December so I have quite some time. However, what I am reading on the threads for trips in the next few months is that rates are going up, rates are higher than last year, etc etc.

I have looked on carrentalsavers for the discounts and whatnot. Again, I'm still a few months out. But I also get the alerts from Hotwire and over the past few days I've been getting emails for $13.95/day for a standard size car during our stay. I can live with that figure, but of course lower would be better. Would love suggestions on whether you think we can do better for first week of December. Thanks!

Without fail, every time I book a weeks rental car, the rates are lowest in the weeks and even days before pickup. We generally do a "protection" booking at a decent rate months out, but then check frequently and always end up re-booking just weeks or days before the trip at a much lower price. We did a Hertz full size in Hawaii for 8 days....for less than $200. Got that price 2 days before we left.

 

[Flight]

I have never gotten a rate as low as you posted. If it was me I would book it immediately.

 

[dudspizza]

Have you actually clicked through to see if the rate is available for your exact dates? I get those emails all the time and when I click through to check, the rates are not that good...

Duds

 

[pigletto]

Just be certain that 13.95 is actually 13.95 a day. Most likely it is 13.95 a day plus what will amount to over $100.00 in fees and other garbage tacked on. You should see the total before you commit. If you have the time to put in to checking every day, I am sure something decent will come up.
For example we have an 11 day rental for 190 or so all inclusive on a full-size car. It's not as good as the rate I had for a minivan in May, but it's still under 200 for 11 days and I can live with that.

 

[nilseks]

Have you actually clicked through to see if the rate is available for your exact dates? I get those emails all the time and when I click through to check, the rates are not that good...

Duds

Yep, it's available. I clicked all the way through to the billing screen. But then I found something on Priceline for $13/night. So I'm going to mess with it a bit more and cross my fingers!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would wait. The last couple of trips we have taken I have gotten GOOD rates a week before our trip. In fact we have one coming up next month but I am not looking for a car until 10 days before our trip.

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

I would wait. The last couple of trips we have taken I have gotten GOOD rates a week before our trip. In fact we have one coming up next month but I am not looking for a car until 10 days before our trip.

I totally agree !

 

[poppypetal]

I am about 6 weeks out and I just checked hotwire to see for deals for me. Standard is coming up at 10.16 a day. I'd wait it out.

 

[mmmgood]

When looking at prices on Hotwire and Priceline always look at the total price rather than the per day rate. They add booking fees in addition to the car rental agency taxes and fees. They do not disclose specifically (it can be calculated) how much the booking fee is for each rental and I think they vary them.

I was looking for a rental in Fort Lauderdale last year and Hotwire were advertising $3.95 per day, I thought it was too good to be true and it was. I don't remember the specifics but their booking fee was around $60 for a week rental. I got a much better rate with Alamo using coupons and discounts.