When to book rental vehicle?
 

We are going to Hawaii on October and were wondering whan the best time is to book our rental car? We are going to both the BI and Maui.

Also, what is the best way to book? Call directly or use an online site like expedia or something?

I would also appreciate any recommendations for rental companies that are reputable.

Thanks!

I don't have specific experience with Hawaii, but here's what I do when I rent a car. I check prices for my dates at travelocity. I then take the lowest priced company and book it directly on their website to cut out the middle man. As rental car reservations are easily cancelled, I go ahead and book immediately, but check back at travelocity periodically (even up to a day before my trip) to see if there's a better priced option.

I do the same as Brian, but I watch Hotwire too. I prefer dealing directly with the rental company. I also have no specific Hawaii rental experience.

BTW - I'd rather cancel a reservation I don't need, than to wish the heck I"d made one when nothing is avail. or too overpriced.

We've rented cars on Oahu, Maui and the BI from Hertz, Budget, Dollar. I almost always book online. I've just booked for a late Nov trip, but as Brian stated he does, I will check periodically for a better rate or a special prior to our trip. Also, if you have any discounts available to you (AAA, AARP, Entertainment) be sure to input the code when reserving online so that you get the best rate. Another thing to watch out for is the additional driver fee that many companies charge. Some will waive that charge if you join their frequent renter program (which are usually free), but others offer no waiver, and that charge can really add up.

Like others have said, there really is no "good" time to book it. Do it as soon as you can and then keep checking the agencies' websites periodically to see if the rates go down. The thing you don't want to do is wait until like a week before your trip or a few days before. Some special rates require at least a few weeks advance reservation.

We've rented on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai many times and it seems like Alamo, Budget, Dollar, and Thrifty always had the best rates when we went.

Just this morning I was checking rental car rates for Hawaii. Check out rentalcodes.com for a list of coupon codes for each of the major rental companies. I was able to get a convertible in Kauai for $218 a week through Thrifty, more than $200 less than some of the other companies.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Another important aspect to remember is that many of the companies charge to add the spouse. With the AAA discount code "5512" for Thrifty, you get 5% off and can add the spouse for free. Dollar offered a comparable rate but wanted $6/day for the spouse.

Yes, pretty much all rental agencies will charge you for that 2nd driver or if your spouse will be the 2nd driver. This is something I've wanted to know. For those of you who rent cars all the time, do you even tell them that there will be a 2nd driver or that your spouse may be driving as well? I've never done it. I know this can be a problem IF something happens while that other person is driving, but I was just wondering if anyone does this. Also, does anyone bother with that insurance they ask you to buy?

Have used Alamo rental with walmart & costco rental coupons and their coupon codes usually include an extra driver free of charge. They do NOT have to be a spouse either.

We never get extra insurance because our regular policies cover it.

You can book something now then a month before, check the rates from week to week, they'll probably go down a lot more. When it's at it's lowest, book a new one and cancel the old one.

Big Jim, I believe the first time I encountered the 2nd driver fee was when I went to reserve an Alamo car online. From then on, I've always checked to see if there was a 2nd driver fee and if there was a way to waive it. Dollar, for example, offers no way to waiver that fee. So, while their base rate may be lower, with the addt'l fee, it can surpass another company's. However, Hertz and National both offer 2nd driver at no chg if joining their frequent renter program. Others may as well, but I've not checked.

when i went to hawaii in oct,i had my cars booked by june. you want to have a choice. just confirm that you can cancel without penalty, and keep looking for better deals as time gets closer. usually a month out and you don't improve on prices. also look at local rental agencies not just the ones you find on a site like orbitz....