Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Good car rental rates (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/good-car-rental-rates-405490/)

abbekit Mar 1st, 2004 02:54 PM

Good car rental rates
 
Sometimes it pays to wait. About a month ago I was about to book a car rental for a week on Kauai this month. The total at that time was about $210 (with taxes and fees). Today I checked and the price is down to $170. This rate is for an economy or compact with Alamo, Thrifty and Dollar.

clarkgriswold Mar 1st, 2004 03:12 PM

Could have gone UP, too. Book in advance, car reservations can always be changed if the rate goes down.

Rusty Mar 1st, 2004 04:40 PM

Right on Clark. Good advice.

Patrick Mar 1st, 2004 04:43 PM

I have a cancellation file in my desk. So far I've booked and cancelled two rentals in California for August four times each and cancelled the first three of each as the deals get better. I doubt I'm done yet. I may not quit until they pay me to rent the car!!

highbay Mar 1st, 2004 05:29 PM

I booked an SUV at Phoenix 3 months ago, and the price has since DOUBLED! I keep checking in hopes that it would go lower...always book, then cancel if you find the lower rate. Will be going March 12th..so I don't think my chances are very good at getting a lower rate.

Patrick Mar 1st, 2004 05:39 PM

highbay, have you checked with Alamo? They have a special on SUV's currently. Go to www.rentalcars.com and find the code.

abbekit Mar 1st, 2004 05:53 PM

I realize that prices could have gone up. I simply wanted to alert those traveling to Hawaii that rates are as low as I've ever seen them in our many trips to the islands.

highbay Mar 1st, 2004 06:04 PM


Thanks for the tip Patrick. Went to the site and entered our dates...got a mesage that the requested rate code is sold out for our dates. They did offer an SUV at a base rate of $100 more than the full price we got through Budget. I'm not thrilled about our reservation because it is off-site from the airport and we're going to have to take a cab...(will cost about $10), but the price was $150 less than the airport. I can find better ways to spend that kind of money!

DawnCt Mar 2nd, 2004 04:42 AM

I booked our car rentals (SUV's) last summer/early fall for this coming trip. I have been looking regularly ever since and prices have doubled. I book early. It can always go down but that way it can't go up.

quimbymoy Mar 2nd, 2004 05:11 AM

Also if you are a member of Costco, check the prices from their website too. I found better rates there for my trip to Phoenix next week!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:19 PM.