The car rental companies have gone mad!

[DangerMouse]

Hi DM! Thanks for that info. I usually use frequent renter or express renter programs. If you do the same, is there a way to enter the membership number through Costco? I am a Costco member. Can these types of things be booked online or do I have to call them? I've never used Costco travel before so know nothing about it.

Yes, you can use your frequent renter programs with the Costco coupons. You just need to go to this link http://www.costcotravel.com/#11_rentalCars and then click on the rental company you want (Alamo is usually cheapest). The Costco code is automatically inserted in the site where it links you.

Hope that helps!

 

[DahliaRW]

Priceline priceline priceline.

I have bid twice and gotten steals both times. First a mini van at LGB for $28/day (ended up being through AVIS). That one was 60% off the lowest published price. Most recent a full sized car for $20/day out in Pittsburgh (45% off the lowest published price). That rental ended up being sweet because Hertz gave us a fully loaded car with leather seats and a free GPS!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

Wow, that's really good. How does the bidding work on priceline?

 

[never2muchdisney]

They have gone mad. We’re putting off a trip to the Oregon Coast this summer because of the car rental prices. We couldn’t get anything anywhere for less than $550/week, for a car that holds 4 people and 4 pieces of luggage. That’s nuts. That’s more than 4 nights at the very nice motel on the beach we plan to stay at. We’ve never held back a vacation because of car rental prices, but I can’t justify that kind of money for using a used vehicle.

 

[PrincessYessenia]

They have gone mad. We’re putting off a trip to the Oregon Coast this summer because of the car rental prices. We couldn’t get anything anywhere for less than $550/week, for a car that holds 4 people and 4 pieces of luggage. That’s nuts. That’s more than 4 nights at the very nice motel on the beach we plan to stay at. We’ve never held back a vacation because of car rental prices, but I can’t justify that kind of money for using a used vehicle.

You should definitely try Hotwire. I just found a standard sized vehicle for $196.04 total, $19.95 a day. I would hate for you to put off your trip for something like that. You can always find something cheaper! Don't let it stop you!

 

[Quilter007]

The Marriott by the convention center has a Hertz location. So, if you only need a car for a day or two, you could ride ART over to the Marriott from your hotel, pick up the car there -- drop it off when you are done & then take ART back to your hotel or DL.

Also, I get better rates from Hertz when I go there from the Marriott web-site.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Oh I hear ya. We looked in to renting a big van since we'll be travelling with 5, and need space for a wheel chair. It was crazy. Cheaper to just take both of our vehicles and pay the gas on them.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

PrincessYessenia & DahliaRW (or anyone who knows) do the prices at Hotwire and Priceline include all taxes and fees or is that an additional cost?

 

[PrincessYessenia]

Yes, those prices already include taxes and fees.

 

[pjstevens]

I booked our Trifty car from SNA a month ago and the TOTAL with taxes and fees is $166 (for six days!) So glad I didn't wait on this one (our trip is in August).

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Yes, those prices already include taxes and fees.

Thanks for the suggestion, but Hotwire was coming back higher in price than my quote.
Do you know if Priceline bids are inclusive of taxes and fees? That would be my last hope, otherwise I'll have to suck it up and pay the price or do more research and cross my fingers...
Thanks!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

Yes, I am pretty much sure it does. All discount websites like that show their prices with taxes.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Yes, I am pretty much sure it does. All discount websites like that show their prices with taxes.

Thank you!

 

[DahliaRW]

PrincessYessenia & DahliaRW (or anyone who knows) do the prices at Hotwire and Priceline include all taxes and fees or is that an additional cost?

You bid per day. Then when you go to the final page before placing your bid it tells you the total with taxes and fees. It's usually 30-40 on top. So take that into account when you bid. But if the taxes are too much, you can revise your bid at that point or bid again the next day (can't remember which), but you find out before you commit. The discount off of the lowest published fare is calculated with the taxes and fees included. HTH.

 

[adorelc]

When is the best time to bid on Priceline? I need a car in July and I have tried bidding a few times and the prices are the same as if I put in a general search. Will they go down as it closer?

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

You bid per day. Then when you go to the final page before placing your bid it tells you the total with taxes and fees. It's usually 30-40 on top. So take that into account when you bid. But if the taxes are too much, you can revise your bid at that point or bid again the next day (can't remember which), but you find out before you commit. The discount off of the lowest published fare is calculated with the taxes and fees included. HTH.

Thank you it does help!

 

[SnowWhite09]

We booked a rental car for our upcoming May/June trip through National. The total cost for 3 weeks with unlimited mileage and all taxes included is $556. We had a booking with Alamo which we cancelled as their price was originally $777 and dropped to around $660 last week but obviously National is even better.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

We booked a rental car for our upcoming May/June trip through National. The total cost for 3 weeks with unlimited mileage and all taxes included is $556. We had a booking with Alamo which we cancelled as their price was originally $777 and dropped to around $660 last week but obviously National is even better.

Wow! That's a great price!Did you join their Emerald Isle express pick up program? I'll have to check them out. Thanks!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Yikes! Here's what I just got quoted from National for 2 weeks:
2) Time & Distance ($269.45/Week) $538.90
(1) Extra - Time & Distance ($44.91/Day) $44.91
Inclusive Rate Items
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Miles Included
Subtotal $583.81

Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Customer Facility Chrg 3.00usd/dy $45.00
Concession Recovery Fee $59.55
Registration Recov Surchg 2 Pct $11.68
Nv Recovery Surcharge 2 Pct $11.68
Clark County Rental Fee 2 Pct $12.84
Nv Gvt Svc Fee (6.0%) $38.60
Sales Tax (7.750%) $50.77
Subtotal $230.12

Estimated Total $813.93

It's official, they are on drugs thinking that they can charge prices like this. This is for a midsize car!!! The Compact base rate was something like $550.00for 2 weeks + all the above taxes & fees!

 

[Tasscrapper]

You'd probably be better off taking taxis everywhere.