Probably not. It is just close to the time you are going and prices will be higher. Again, supply and demand. I snoozed on a rental and waited a week or so and it was $200 more. You hadn't said when you were going. There is still nothing to be lost by bidding on Priceline. Who knows.

Thanks so much, Gretchen. I can't believe how helpful people can be. I will try Priceline. Lesson learned: those who snooze, lose! If I somehow snag a bargain, I'll let you know!

No luck on Priceline, but I believe that I was very remiss in not looking into this money-saving option much earlier. Thanks, Gretchen for the valuable lesson - you can be sure that I will be attempting to book rental cars on Priceline much earlier on our next trip. The whole pricess is way easier than I thought it would be!

You can bid again--change the driver or something. Then you can bid again in 72 hours.

Molly, it Is a frustrating website. I went ahead and put your dates in, and it seemed to accept them. But what I got for economy car was more expensive - look at the crazy CUSTOMER FACILITY CHARGE! Nice name for bogus charges!:

Base amount
Weekly: 2 Weeks at 143.99 USD
Unlimited Free Miles
Extra day : 1 Extra day at 28.80 USD
Unlimited Free Miles
Rate Code: TMDW
CDP Name: AAA AUTO CLUB SOUTH



Additional Items (included in Approximate Total Charges)

Tax 15.10 %
Airport concession fee recovery 11.10 %
CUSTOMER FACILITY CHARGE: 67.50 USD
Rental surcharge per rental (Minimum Charge 2.50 USD) 3.25 %
Rate is guaranteed.

Total Approximate Charges 494.63 USD

WHAT site is confusing and WHERE are you seeing that charge. I have never seen this on Hotwire. And you don't see it on Priceline unless you bid.

This is what I got for the dates for a compact--one up from economy.
Economy car
Phoenix (PHX)
Wed, 09/14/05Pick up:
Thu, 09/29/05Drop off:
15No. of days:
$14.95Price per day:
$224.25Subtotal:
$136.43Taxes/Fees:

$360.68Total Price:
Includes tax recovery charges and fees. Prices are in $USD.

Molly, alamo.com gives a total price of $377.00 that includes the add'l driver when you use the following discount codes: Rate/Product code=BQW
Contract ID = 428448

I found these codes at mousavers.com, but it seems to be accepted at PHX airport as well.

Forgot to mention, you can upgrade to a compact car when you use coupon code D42C for a total of $387.00, again this INCLUDES the add'l driver fee.

Greenhouse, Alamo gave me a price of $411 using the codes you gave me, perhaps higher than the quote you got because we'll be bringing the car back late on the last day.This might still be a good rate if they don't charge for a second driver. Their website claims that "an additional driver fee is required at most locations", but I've e-mailed them about this. Greenhouse, how did you get them to waive the fee?

Oh my gosh, Joan - aren't those add-on fees horriic! Unbelievable!

Gretchen, I believe the rqte quoted to me was a bit higher because we'll be returning the car at night the last day. I'll give it another try tomorrow -when I'm more awake. Otherwise, who knows what I'll end up with!

Whatever you decide to do, I would suggest getting on with it. The quote on Hotwire is increasing daily. I did a search on Travelocity and it is under $400. It will only get more expensive closer to the date, I think.

Molly, when booking online at Alamo, step 3 shows 1 add'l driver is included when using those codes. You will find it under Inclusive Rate Items. With the later return time, the quote did increase to $411.00.

Greenhouse, now I see it! I went ahead and booked the car at the $411.92 rate including an additional driver. Thank you SO much for your help. This is by far the best rate I've found!

Gretchen, At this late date, Greenhouses's suggestion offered me the best rate I could find, including Priceline's. Next trip, I'll jump on the Priceline alternative, to be sure! Many thanks to you for bringing the option to my attention - I'd thought it was too difficult and risky, but it's not!

Travelocity was less, 12 hours ago. You need to check EVERYwhere.

Yes, check everywhere!

I just booked a weekly rental yesterday and despite looking at all the deals and offsite companies, believe it or not, Hertz was my best deal by a substantial amount. Their price for additional drivers is high at 9.00 but it's free to become a #1 Club member and this allows your significant other to drive.

Alamo had consistently good prices. Enterprise wasn't bad but was still higher even though I had a corporate rate from them. Their additional driver fee was only 5.00 and spouses were free.

We are taking a limo from Sky Harbor and renting locally in Scottsdale which avoids the airport surcharges.

Is the limo an extra charge? How was the final amount, particularly compared to what it might have been if you had made the reservations when you first posted.

Greenhouse, the Alamo rental worked out perfectly, and we got a free upgrade (after the typical subtle pressure to rent a larger vehicle and extra insurance)to our choice of low-milage vehicle. Return was simple and quick.

HDLD, I guess the Hertz rate came too late for our trip. Thanks for the tip about joining their club to avoid additional driver charges!

Hello, there is a good and informative article in the Travel Section of today's Sunday SF Chronical that addresses the issues of renting cars including additional drivers.

The website is www.sfgate.com. Then look at the upperleft hand side of your screen and click on "Today's Chronical". Then scroll down to "Travel" and click that on. You will then see the article. Hope it is of some help.

If you rent your a car through Priceline do you have to prepay? What about if you have to cancel?

Yes, it is paid immediately and there are no refunds. You just have to be sure ofyour date.

We rented from Hertz last May. It was more $$$ because we rec'd the car in Albuquerque NM and returned in Phoenix. Hertz gave us troublefree quick service. When my husband pointed out a scratch on the side, the guy did not even look at it, wrote on ticket "damage / dents all over", and on return in Phoenix we just pulled into return lane, and the gal never checked the "damage" . It went so fast and smoothly.
We had asked for a full-size (like Taurus), they upgraded us ,and we had a late model Le Sabre , all loaded and extremely comfortable.
The rental fee was not out of line . AAA gave us "no extra charge" for additional driver etc.
My point is that we received excellent service and value from Hertz. We'd rent from them again.