Hawaii car rental - Good deals on Hotwire for summer.
May 31st, 2012, 05:23 AM
#1
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Hawaii car rental - Good deals on Hotwire for summer.
DH and I are heading back to Kauai this summer and I got what I think is a pretty good deal on a car rental. $14.95 a day for a "standard" car. Most categories were $14.95 for our dates. Of course you have to prepay, but that is not a problem for us. I am posting this in the hopes it might help someone secure a good deal.
May 31st, 2012, 02:04 PM
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Thanks for the tip! I rented a car through our condo rental agency but your rate looks even better except for the prepay part. Our rental rate is $189 for 9 days plus tax of 101, surcharge of $92.19, etc. etc. for a grand total of $290! It was about double if I went directly to the Avis website. (This is for October). I intended to keep checking the rates and see if I can do better.
May 31st, 2012, 03:38 PM
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Tracy, there is the daily rate and then there are the taxes and surcharges, etc. In my rates above, if you do the math, $189 for 9 days is about $21 per day but with the taxes equals $290 which technically is $32 per day. Sneaky aren't they.
May 31st, 2012, 04:16 PM
#9
I'll be arriving in Kauai Wednesday and will stay almost six weeks. The best Hotwire rate I'm finding is $25.36/day -- PLUS those ridiculous fees. (I wish they'd have to simply list the actual amount -- the way airlines finally do.)
I've rented through a local company; someone who I suspect works out of his home and rents out about a half dozen cars. It's cash only (when he picks me up at the airport). The rate is less than half of what I found on Hotwire--and anywhere else.
I'm a tiny bit nervous because it's an older car-- a 2000 Ford Focus -- but the person who referred me said the guy's a mechanic, and trustworthy, and that his cars work fine. It's sort of a local version of rent-a-wreck. Presuming it works fine, I'll save more than $700. Heck, that's another ticket to Kauai!!! And I liked that when I asked if he needed a deposit, his answer was, "No. I trust you."
I'll post after the trip. Don't want to refer anyone to this--or other similar agencies--until I've tried it.
I've rented through a local company; someone who I suspect works out of his home and rents out about a half dozen cars. It's cash only (when he picks me up at the airport). The rate is less than half of what I found on Hotwire--and anywhere else.
I'm a tiny bit nervous because it's an older car-- a 2000 Ford Focus -- but the person who referred me said the guy's a mechanic, and trustworthy, and that his cars work fine. It's sort of a local version of rent-a-wreck. Presuming it works fine, I'll save more than $700. Heck, that's another ticket to Kauai!!! And I liked that when I asked if he needed a deposit, his answer was, "No. I trust you."
I'll post after the trip. Don't want to refer anyone to this--or other similar agencies--until I've tried it.
May 31st, 2012, 07:18 PM
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For the person renting for 6 weeks, check your insurance company for coverage when renting from such a company. Visa only covers collision damage on rentals of 15 days or less, usually. Amex 30 days.
My Avis discount gives me $300 for nine days in mid august, all taxes included...so in this case I wouldn't lock myself into a no-changes deal just to save 30 bucks. "Prepayment is not for everyone"...well, it's not for ANYONE who ends up having to cancel for some reason, or change dates.
For the October renters, you're probably looking too soon, I always see rental rates at their lowest about 45 to 30 days before travel. And Alamo is often lowest 1 week before travel. So if you book now, check back later. (unless it's non-refundable).
My Avis discount gives me $300 for nine days in mid august, all taxes included...so in this case I wouldn't lock myself into a no-changes deal just to save 30 bucks. "Prepayment is not for everyone"...well, it's not for ANYONE who ends up having to cancel for some reason, or change dates.
For the October renters, you're probably looking too soon, I always see rental rates at their lowest about 45 to 30 days before travel. And Alamo is often lowest 1 week before travel. So if you book now, check back later. (unless it's non-refundable).
May 31st, 2012, 10:15 PM
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I would also question prepaying for car rental if you can avoid it.
Without prepaying got some great car rental rates for our trip to New York and DC by using the deal in the Entertainment book of all places. Sometimes Discover or Amex have special deals as well.
Without prepaying got some great car rental rates for our trip to New York and DC by using the deal in the Entertainment book of all places. Sometimes Discover or Amex have special deals as well.
Jun 1st, 2012, 04:56 AM
#13
"For the person renting for 6 weeks, check your insurance company for coverage when renting from such a company. Visa only covers collision damage on rentals of 15 days or less, usually. Amex 30 days."
Thanks, but since payment will be in cash -- this isn't applicable. My understanding is that my own car insurance will be in effect--as Hawaii is in the U.S.
Re: prepayment ... if you're going to go that route, I typically get better rates at Priceline than Hotwire.
I do a tremendous amount of traveling and so far, I've been lucky. I've prepaid countless hotels and car rentals -- and have NEVER had to cancel or change a trip. But that's the chance you take to save the $$$.
Thanks, but since payment will be in cash -- this isn't applicable. My understanding is that my own car insurance will be in effect--as Hawaii is in the U.S.
Re: prepayment ... if you're going to go that route, I typically get better rates at Priceline than Hotwire.
I do a tremendous amount of traveling and so far, I've been lucky. I've prepaid countless hotels and car rentals -- and have NEVER had to cancel or change a trip. But that's the chance you take to save the $$$.
