It seems as if there are all sorts of Web sites that offer deals on hotels, airfare, etc. But I haven't seen anything about rental cars.

So, has anyone found any really good deals on rental cars? I mean, outside of the standard ones you can get through AAA, AARP, and other membership organization.

The best deals on rental cars are on the rental companies websites. They often offer internet only special that isn't offered on the various discount travel sites. Keep checking. Sometimes the closer you get to your rental period the better the rates. Take advantage of a great rate when you see it because it could be gone before you know it. Another great option you have by reserving directly from car rental companies is that you can cancel your reservation if you find a better rate later.

Check Orbitz and then log onto the individual sites based on their prices to see if you can do better. If not, book through Orbitz, but check from time to time as rates change often.

As the day approaches, look on individual websites under the 'last minute specials' section, where you may be able to do better still.

My best rental car deals have been through priceline using the info at biddingfortravel.com. You can also check Hotwire for a quote on the days you need and use this info to "back up" you priceline bid. My strategy has been to bid roughly 20% less than the Hotwire quote.

Recently scored a fullsize car in SD for 4 days at $18 per day and it turned out to be Hertz. On their site they were quoting $44 per day for the same car.

Good Luck

We've had good luck in the past with SmarterLiving.com, but I don't know how it has been lately.

We got a Ford Explorer class vehicle at $250 per week using an American Express card for our road trip up to Maine. Check out the leading car rental company that begins with an "H" The promotion ends at the end of June I believe.

biddingfortravel seems to be a route this summer for rental cars. Only thing is you are locked into the vehicle you get. There are stories and deals people got at biddingfortravel.com

We got a good deal on Hotwire

For the last several years, I've gone to Breezenet at www.bnm.com . It's a quick and easy way to see who's got specials, and to make comparisons.

I haven't yet tried biddingfortravel.com for rentals, but I might give it a try next time I need a car. The savings on lodging that folks are getting make it well-worth the effort to learn how to use it.

One--make that two--big caveats when renting cars. Make absolutely sure you get the car back on time, or before. And if you agreed to return it with a full tank, do so.

Have had the best luck with rentals at "city" offices. Much better price than pre-booking on the Internet or through 800 numbers. Rental car companies pay a BIG premium for operating on airport property. This is passed on to the client. Offices near hotels in the city are much cheaper. So if you can wait, take a taxi from the airport to your hotel and then have the hotel book a car nearby. It worked for us.

I agreed with TC. The only thing is the Airport location offer unlimited mileage. The city location include around 150 - 200 miles per day depending on the rental company. It all depend on how much you drive.

I'm following all the above advice but I have a question.

I punch in that I need a car for 10 days. When the rates come up it is for $xxx per week. How do I know what I am going to pay for 10 days?

Surely, they don't charge 1 week at the weekly rate and then 3 days at a daily rate.

Actually they usually do charge the daily rate for extra days. And frequently the 3 days will cost more than the week.

I've found some of the best rates through Dollar car rental using any of the following codes:

http://www.travelcouponsonline.com/other.html

The best prices I have gotten for rental cars has been on Priceline. Check Hotwire for its best rates, and then bid lower on Priceline. I usually get a full size car from Hertz for about $20 a day.

Priceline seems to be just crap lately. I offered $37 dollars for a premium and was still rejected. Just remember that priceline adds a bunch of taxes so you really only look at the base rate. Go to yahoo or google and type in something like "dollar rent a car promo code" or "avis AVD code". Then use what u find to get a discount at the car rental's website.

I have also had very good luck on Hotwire, but I still check the specials on the major rental companies too - often some deals better than any other.