FYI, I had a reservation for a car in Denver for 440$ for 11 days mid size. Looked on Expedia yesterday, and they had a compact for 250$! What a savings! Just wanted to let you know to try for a cheaper rate...you never know!?

Better yet use Hotwire or Priceline. There's also a good bit of difference between a mid-size and compact.

However, there is the added plus if using Travelocity, etc. that they do not charge your card until you rent so if your plans change--or you find a cheaper price, you can change.

Gretchen I usually check Hotwire and they were about the same. I had a reservation with orbitz, amd they did not charge my card. I would have liked a mid size but for 200$ my DH and I can go an extra day of WW rafting !!! And we are not driving great distances BTW.

I've had great luck with Hotwire as well. Nearly always (even Christmas and Thanksgiving), I've booked a smaller car cheap and when picking it up offered a larger model for just a few dollars more per day. For all I know, they've overbooked the smaller cars, but we've nearly always made out very well.

I started doing this after we booked a mid-size, got Hertz, and the agent told us a mid-size was a Toyota Corolla, but we could upgrade. So, I learned that if you can upgrade very reasonably from cheap...

I was just pointing out that the difference may be/is the car size, not really a change in the rate. And my principal place of renting is Denver. I usually save up to 50% by using Priceline. Yes, only Hotwire and PL charge your card up front.
Also, the closer to the date you are renting, the more the price increases. Have lived to rue not jumping on a price when I got it.

I have never failed to check Hotwire against the various car agencies before renting. I have NEVER found a better price on Hotwire than dealing direct with the agency.

Priceline and others won't work for me as most of my rentals are one way. And car rentals are one thing I won't prepay. None of the agencies require me to and there's too much chance of plans changing.

My DH thinks because we are arriving so late in Denver(near 11:00pm) the compacts will be sold out and we will be given an upgrade...we cam always hope ;-).

Neapolitan, your needs are SO specific that I don't wonder that you can't use Hotwire or PL--OR that you get a better deal with the agency. But that doesn't mean it is not of use to others. I have never NOT saved by shopping first on Orbitz/Travelocity for a ballpark figure for several rentors, then Hotwire for the total price so I know the taxes in the place we will be going, and then a more informed bid on PL. If my plans are subject to change I rent from Travelocity, etc. where the charge isn't up front. But to save several hundred dollars, as I have at times, it is worth bidding on PL.

According to her blog, fodorite "yk" recently booked a one-day Hertz rental in Austin, TX through Hotwire for $22.50 all-in.

Cheapest direct booking was about $90, and even with the best coupon code, it was still $45.