Using Hot Wire for car rental

[Disbound]

I saw here somewhere that someone recommended using Hot Wire for car rental. I did go on their website and their prices are very very good. I am a little concerned about some terms and conditions that I read.
We are going for 11 days and flying in and out of Tampa and last year we found that some of the rental agencys were not at the airport but a very short shuttle away. That isn't a problem for us. What concerns me, is that when looking for a car, they say the the rental place is no more than 4.5 miles away (again, close enough) but that they won't tell you which rental location you will actually be renting from (Alamo, Budget etc) until you purchase.
Anyone have any info regarding Hot Wire they could share??
Thanks so much!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Priceline and Hotwire use "blind" bookings to secure the lowest prices. You are guaranteed a car in the class you agree to purchase by one of the name brand companies. Outside of that, all bets are off, you could be onsite or offsite (I think most of the agencies, if not all at TPA are onsite, but you could check their website, compare the lists).

 

[Disbound]

Last year we rented from Alamo I believe and it was off site. What website are you suggesting I check? The Hot Wire site or the airport? Thanks!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I must be doing something wrong, because whenever I've tried hotwire I've gotten prices that I thought were very high. I've gotten better deals reserving directly with Alamo, Dollar, etc.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Last year we rented from Alamo I believe and it was off site. What website are you suggesting I check? The Hot Wire site or the airport? Thanks!

Confirm the rental agencies Hotwire works with:

http://www.hotwire.com/travel-information/suppliers/car-suppliers.jsp

Then look at TPA's website:

http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/rental_car_services.asp

Of the Agencies Hotwire works with, National/Alamo are the only ones offsite. Note, Hotwire does not work with Avis, while Priceline does (but they do not work with Enterprise).

 

[Disbound]

I went to Alamo and Budget and Hot Wire
Using every code/coupon that others listed for Alamo & Budget...
11 Days, April, Tampa, same drop off and pick up location
Here's what I found--
Alamo compact=$315.24 Mid size = $351.27
Budget compact=$399.99 Midsize = $440.82
Hot Wire compact = $230.83 Midsize = $244.76 (economy=$218.03)
All inclusive, unlimited mileage, listed as onsite location...go figure

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Just a note, although I do not usually use Hotwire, you are prepaying your rate, there are no changes allowed. Second you are the bottom in terms of upgrades/vehicle availability. If they are short cars, you'd probably be the last on the list to get one. I don't think this will be an issue in a large location like TPA, but it is something to think about.

 

[CleoPahd]

I too am flying into Tampa for an April trip. I had a car booked through AAA with Hertz, but saw someone on here recommend Hotwire so I thought I'd check it out. It was 1/2 the price at Hotwire! For me, when I plugged in my dates and looked at the different car classes, though it didn't say which rental company it was, it did list whether or not it was at the airport or required a shuttle ride. We picked a full size car which was listed as at the airport. As soon as we booked we found out that our new reservation was once again with Hertz! I thought AAA was cheap because they came in well below all the other companies, even with coupon codes....but Hotwire beat everyone by a longshot.

 

[bumbershoot]

Note,, Hotwire does not work with Avis, while Priceline does (but they do not work with Enterprise).

Ooh, that's new. Just for our last trip to DLR, Avis was absolutely one of the agencies offered up on hotwire...interesting...



I've used hotwire for renting a car, though only at LAX, and it was fine. We liked having prepaid, we DID get upgraded (loved the Chevy HHR we got!) (from Avis!), no extra charges, no sales pitch about the extra insurance (we had already asked our agent if we needed it etc). And I booked through a rewards site so I got a bit back there.

But if you have strong preferences, or, more importantly, strong aversions to getting a certain company, then it's NOT for you.

 

[ebird08]

Hi, I just purchased a "too good to be true" rental car through Hotwire with no problems (yet). I do believe Hotwire said it was onsite but as it turns out, it isn't. The rental is through Hertz and we have to shuttle to their location. Not a huge deal i guess. We're only paying $85!!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Hi, I just purchased a "too good to be true" rental car through Hotwire with no problems (yet). I do believe Hotwire said it was onsite but as it turns out, it isn't. The rental is through Hertz and we have to shuttle to their location. Not a huge deal i guess. We're only paying $85!!!

When is your rental and where, MCO? If so, depending on when your rental is, you could be onsite as Hertz (the only major carrier offsite) is moving in the near future (should be complete by end of 2nd quarter the last I heard).