Using Priceline for car rental

[MacFam4]

We've changed our plans (again) for our November trip and will need to rent a car. I looked on Priceline (name your own price) and am considering. But, here's my problem:
1. I've never rented a car before
2. I've only used Priceline name your own price once, and it was just for a one night stay at a hotel.

So, do you have any experice with priceline and car rentals? I don't know what a decent price is really, because I don't rent cars, but I need it to be as cheap as possible.

As for the size of the car, I was thinking a full size. There are 3 adults and 1 child, minimal luggage. But my mom will have a scooter that will need to fit in the trunk. What do you think??

 

[cjnix29]

I love priceline for car rentals. I wouldn't try any sooner than about two months before your trip. I check hotwire to get some idea of a price, and then bid a couple of dollars lower than that on priceline. I'll be using it for our June trip to myrtle beach, but am going to wait a little bit first.

 

[BDJazz]

I love priceline for car rentals. I wouldn't try any sooner than about two months before your trip. I check hotwire to get some idea of a price, and then bid a couple of dollars lower than that on priceline. I'll be using it for our June trip to myrtle beach, but am going to wait a little bit first.

This is what I did today (compared with Hotwire and bidded lower).

I use priceline for every vacation I go on. Last year we got an economy car for $13 a day for 10 days. Today I just booked a compact car for 12 days in May for $12 a day! This rental car is from Hertz.

I've done hours of research and have never found a lower rate than priceline...

 

[Purseval]

Right around this time last year we rented a minivan for 13 days, picking up and dropping off in Atlanta, to go to Orlando. Here was our summary of charges:


Your Offer Price: $31.00 (per day)
Total Rental Days: 13 days
Subtotal: $403.00
Taxes and Fees: $209.73
Total Charges: $612.73
Lowest Published Price: $1473.67
Total Savings:* $860.94 (You saved 58%)

The company we rented from was Hertz. It was a special for us since we had family over from England and needed a minivan. Next time we need one we wouldn't hesitate to use Priceline again.

 

[kelkel03]

so when you go through priceline, is that all taxes in, nothing to pay when you pick up or drop off the car??

 

[CarrieR]

That's correct. The rental agency will require a credit card in case of damages; if you use debit only it will put a (rather substantial) hold on there as well. I LOVE renting through Priceline, great rates and I've never had a problem. It's always a good plan to take a printout of your confirmation, but they should have your name in the system.

 

[kelkel03]

That's correct. The rental agency will require a credit card in case of damages; if you use debit only it will put a (rather substantial) hold on there as well. I LOVE renting through Priceline, great rates and I've never had a problem. It's always a good plan to take a printout of your confirmation, but they should have your name in the system.

i looked at hotwire, and i can get a car size we need for 158.00 for the week, so about 13.95 a day, do you think i could do better on priceline?

 

[kat3668]

i looked at hotwire, and i can get a car size we need for 158.00 for the week, so about 13.95 a day, do you think i could do better on priceline?

I'vs used priceline for my last 2 trips without a hitch..... Start your bidding 40% under hotwires price and you should be good. Heres a great thread I've used to help me my first time bidding!
Good Luck!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2496606

 

[nmanning19]

I booked through priceline, when I pick up my car, can I give them a Hertz coupon?

 

[kat3668]

I booked through priceline, when I pick up my car, can I give them a Hertz coupon?

No I believe they do not accept coupons for name your own price.

 

[kelkel03]

I'vs used priceline for my last 2 trips without a hitch..... Start your bidding 40% under hotwires price and you should be good. Heres a great thread I've used to help me my first time bidding!
Good Luck!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2496606

so say i put in 9.95 per day, the price will come up with the taxes in?, sorry to sound dumb, guess i am just wondering about taxes, if they will increase because of a low bid, is there anyway if i put in 9.95, that it would come in higher than hotwire with tax at 158.00 hope i am making sense, i guess i just don;t want to end up paying more.

 

[let'sgo]

After you fill in the amount of your bid, the next screen should show you the total price with all taxes and fees. If you agree, then you place the bid.

I would start low, because after 24 hours you can bid again. If a screen comes up and says that you are close, and you bid several more $$, they will accept it, I would wait and rebid after 24 hours just under that. That's what I did in Feb., and it was accepted.

Good luck!

 

[kelkel03]

After you fill in the amount of your bid, the next screen should show you the total price with all taxes and fees. If you agree, then you place the bid.

I would start low, because after 24 hours you can bid again. If a screen comes up and says that you are close, and you bid several more $$, they will accept it, I would wait and rebid after 24 hours just under that. That's what I did in Feb., and it was accepted.

Good luck!

thanks!!!
we need the car in may, should i start now or wait a little?
sorry for all the questions

 

[jacdolfin]

I just booked a too good to be true rate for a rental car thru www.carrentalsavers.com. I found the site from a poster on these boards.

They are a discount site with tons of good deals on rental cars. I booked a week in June for a full size 7 seat SUV for $250 total. Check it out and see what deals you are able to find. There are coupons from compact to vans with percantages off for the week. Best of luck have a good trip.

 

[jgreco]

Wish I had read this thread last week when I rented a minvan for a week @$104 a day

 

[kelkel03]

well, we booked through priceline, and got a standard car for a week for 141.00, i am pretty happy with that, the same car was 160.00 on hotwire, not a huge savings, but everything helps..

 

[wolf29]

The nice thing about Priceline is that they use only agencies IN the terminal, so no shuttling off-property.

 

[kelkel03]

yes i am glad for that too, we are going to be lost enough as it is, with-out worrying about finding an outside car rental place