car rental in Kaui
 

Going to Kaui for a week in October. We have found car rentals very expensive. Need advice from Hawaii travelers as to the best way/price to get a car rental.

do you have any car requirements? I did well with priceline and when we landed I upgraded from an economy car to a convertible for $10 a day. I was willing to gamble and bite the bullet and enjoy an economy car. On Maui and Hawaii I was less successful and stuck with my backup rentals.

You have time to search while booking the best for your needs now. But there does come a moment when you realize that the difference between $5 a day is not worth your time, and just go for it.

I've had luck with http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/ in the past. Also try Priceline. If you are Costco members, try their website.

Try to get whatever discount you can get: AAA, government rate, senior, costco, etc.
Unfortunately car rates are now one of the most expensive parts of a trip.

We've had good luck with Priceline. In June we paid $15/day (Alamo) in Boston and we just got a car for next month in CA for 9 days for less than $300 (Hertz).

I always use Priceline in Kauai and have gotten economy or compact cars for $13, $14, $15, $16/day -- the price going down the longer I wait. October's not peak season so you shouldn't have any trouble. The rentals have been with Alamo and I've never had any problem.

Ditto P'line and hotwire. Used them maybe the past 5-6 trips over and never had a problem.

Got full and mid sized as low $18/day.

Since we go for New Year's and sometimes over 14 days, we bid 2x.
The first bid is for 3-4 days when we expect to pay $20+ a day...then bid the remainder low balling them to death.

The dance has begun already for our 12-30 return to that hell hole. :))