Cissy

Does anyone out there know of a website that might offer discounts on rental cars within the US? I've checked Expedia/Travelocity and the car rental websites but would like to know if there is any further discounts to be found. Most deals are weekly...I'm after an 11 day rental! Help!

USA

I often rent cars and I can advise you to first look at the various websites. My personal favorites are Alamo, Dollar, and Budget. Thay all have great cars as well as excellent customer service and the lowest prices, I have rented from Dollar out of Vegas. Get an online quote for 2 weeks, it will be cheaper than for 11 days. After you recieved your best price go to priceline and offer an even lower price and see if you get it.

Cissy

USA: Thanks for your insight. On renting for two weeks versus the 11 days,don't they penalize or charge you some fee for early return? Have never used Priceline either...how much have you saved in past rentals? Is it worth it? Thanks!

Missy

Cissy: I found that if you call the rental site DIRECTLY (not the 800 number) - you will almost always get a better price than their website.

USA

Priceline never got a lower rate for me, but thats not to say its not worth a try. You do not get any penalty for early return. I just looked at renting a 4x4 in Arizona for a week tru expedia and it was 189 a wk, now thats cheap. It was thru Alamo. You may want to check their webiste. As for calling directly, you WILL NOT get a better price. You can most car reservations w/o a credit card. So find a car and price you like and hold the reservation. If you find a lower price cancel that reservation, again no penalty for cancelling, trust me I know. I rent cars about every 2 months and have for the past 5 years. The best as well as cheapest companies are Alamo and Dollar. If you like let me know when and where you will be needing the car and for how many people. I will get you a good rate. I will be also lookijng for a car for my Arizona trip next week.

Cindy

Try SmarterLiving.com.

Cissy

Thanks for all replies. USA: My problem is this...pickup will be at Albany, New York airport on Dec. 22, 1 PM. I wanted to return it Jan. 2 at 1 PM. There are only a few rental companies at that airport, Alamo, Dollar and Budget aren't any of them! It looks like it will cost a fortune (lots of tax involved!!) so I'm weighing my options. If you come up with anything reasonable, please let me know. Perhaps you know some tricks when checking on-line that I'm not aware of. Do appreciate your insight, however.

jesse

That would make it a 10 day rental. It seems that only Enterprise is at that location and due to lack of competition they can charge what they want. You should consider one of a few things. If possible try a location outside an airport. The Enterprise website sometimes has deals. Get a quote for a cart and divde it by 10(rental days) and try priceline. Low ball them at first then keep trying until you get a cheaper rate then you would from Enterprise.

jesse

Sorry, I ment divide by 11. I checked the Enterprise website and its a couple bucks cheaper that Expedia. But, travelocity shows Thrifty with 189 buck a week rental from that airport. Thats not bad.

USA

http://rentalcars.com/Untitled/Thrifty/thrifty.htm
This will also help

Cissy

Thanks all!! I 've checked the airport webiste and find that it has Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National on sight, Thrifty off premises. I didn't get the $189 Thrifty from Travelocity, but I was looking yesterday and things change on a hourly basis I think. Lots of good info. I'll continue on my hunt!!

Cissy

Should also add that I'm looking for a mid-size due to the fact that I'm transporting my elderly mother and in the winter driving, want more stability than an economy car.

USA

Thrifty is a bit off, but they have a shuttle bus that will take you to and fro. But do use that link for the coupon I included in my post.

Gail

We got a great car rental price on
cheaptickets.com We got an Alamo rental car for $90 less than the Alamo site posted!

Cissy

Thanks USA. Printed off the coupon and will definitely use if I go with Thrifty. Will check cheaptickets as well.