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.

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

Right on Clark. Good advice.

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!!

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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!