Priceline for car rental

Bob answers most of the question, so I'll just add this: be sure and read
ALL the fine print before you click on the "Buy My Car Now!" button. Once
it's clicked, if they accept your bid that's the deal and it's carved in
stone. No changes made for any reason. This is where the problems start
with people who have trouble with PL--they rent the car and then want to
cancel or switch or any number of things, and then are mad when they find
out they can't. Bob's suggestion to check the going rates for the size car
you want is right on the money, as is his advice to check out the two
guidepost websites for the FAQs. Good luck and happy bidding!

"Robert Cowen" <rcowen DeleteThis @junk.com> wrote in message
news:Q7CQa.4$Iv4.2@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
 > Natalie:
 >
 > I've found that SideStep (www.SideStep.com) finds some excellent prices
for
 > cars (although my tests have only been in the continental US). Suggest
you
 > try it in conjunction with Orbitz (www.orbitz.com). That said, check
 > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.BiddingForTravel.com" target="_blank">www.BiddingForTravel.com</a> and <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.BetterBidding.com" target="_blank">www.BetterBidding.com</a> to see what works &
what
 > doesn't at Priceline & Hotwire as well as to learn their rules before you
 > touch Priceline.
 >
 > Hope this helps,
 >
 > Bob
 > The Internet Travel Guru (TM)
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.InternetTravelTips.com</font" target="_blank">www.InternetTravelTips.com</font</a>>
 >
 >
 > "Natalie" <natalie DeleteThis @ihatespam.com> wrote in message
 > news:beun48$ikj$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
 > Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in Puerto
Rico
 > three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the
airport.
 > I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...
 >
 > Thanks!
 >
 > Natalie
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a very
good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with getting
the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they will
probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they do for
all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when you
return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or so.

Check the other places to get the going rate, and include hotwire, then bid
less money on Priceline and see if it's accepted or not. Remember, if you
do get a car through them, depending on which rental agency they use if you
return the car late the fees can be insane, you may have a rate at $13 a
day, but it may have a $100 a day fee if you are late.

They are very reliable for cars.


"Natalie" <natalie.RemoveThis@ihatespam.com> wrote in message
news:beun48$ikj$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
 > Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in Puerto
Rico
 > three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the
airport.
 > I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...
 >
 > Thanks!
 >
 > Natalie
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

I agree, and if your rental period is fixed, as it would be before a cruise,
you should have no trouble with Priceline.

Having said that, I have found that car rentals are truly 'market
dependent', meaning that in market 'A' you may get a great deal with
Priceline, while in market 'B' you may do better trolling the 'specials' on
the rental company web site. Case in point....we are going to Longwood
Gardens (via Baltimore airport) in early August....after checking and
looking I happened to notice that Dollar.com (dollar car rental) had a
special on a full size thru August....it was better than Priceline,
especially for the size vehicle. We are also going to Niagara
Falls....there seems to be little competition in Buffalo, so Priceline came
thru with a rate from Avis that is very competitive.

My regret is that last year at this time, I didn't use Priceline to rent a
car in Madison, Wi.....sheesh....no competition...just the biggies...it
wasn't pleasant.





"Mike Cordelli" <mike DeleteThis @cordelli.com> wrote in message
news:JhCQa.9882$KS3.2898261104@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
 > I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a very
 > good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with getting
 > the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they will
 > probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they do
for
 > all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when you
 > return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or so.
 >
 > Check the other places to get the going rate, and include hotwire, then
bid
 > less money on Priceline and see if it's accepted or not. Remember, if you
 > do get a car through them, depending on which rental agency they use if
you
 > return the car late the fees can be insane, you may have a rate at $13 a
 > day, but it may have a $100 a day fee if you are late.
 >
 > They are very reliable for cars.
 >
 >
 > "Natalie" <natalie DeleteThis @ihatespam.com> wrote in message
 > news:beun48$ikj$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
  > > Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in Puerto
 > Rico
  > > three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the
 > airport.
  > > I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...
  > >
  > > Thanks!
  > >
  > > Natalie
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

You are correct, there are times that Priceline is over twice as much as
some of the others.

On a recent trip to San Francisco, the AAA Rate (Hertz) was less then half
any other rate. There isn't any set lowest price, you have to check every
rate you are eligible for (for example, if a member of BJ's or Costco or
probably others, they have discount numbers on their websites).



"User 1.nospam" <user1.nospam RemoveThis @adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:yOCQa.644$KZ.276645@news1.news.adelphia.net...
 > I agree, and if your rental period is fixed, as it would be before a
cruise,
 > you should have no trouble with Priceline.
 >
 > Having said that, I have found that car rentals are truly 'market
 > dependent', meaning that in market 'A' you may get a great deal with
 > Priceline, while in market 'B' you may do better trolling the 'specials'
on
 > the rental company web site. Case in point....we are going to Longwood
 > Gardens (via Baltimore airport) in early August....after checking and
 > looking I happened to notice that Dollar.com (dollar car rental) had a
 > special on a full size thru August....it was better than Priceline,
 > especially for the size vehicle. We are also going to Niagara
 > Falls....there seems to be little competition in Buffalo, so Priceline
came
 > thru with a rate from Avis that is very competitive.
 >
 > My regret is that last year at this time, I didn't use Priceline to rent a
 > car in Madison, Wi.....sheesh....no competition...just the biggies...it
 > wasn't pleasant.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > "Mike Cordelli" <mike RemoveThis @cordelli.com> wrote in message
 > news:JhCQa.9882$KS3.2898261104@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
  > > I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a
very
  > > good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with
getting
  > > the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they will
  > > probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they do
 > for
  > > all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when
you
  > > return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or so.
  > >
  > > Check the other places to get the going rate, and include hotwire, then
 > bid
  > > less money on Priceline and see if it's accepted or not. Remember, if
you
  > > do get a car through them, depending on which rental agency they use if
 > you
  > > return the car late the fees can be insane, you may have a rate at $13 a
  > > day, but it may have a $100 a day fee if you are late.
  > >
  > > They are very reliable for cars.
  > >
  > >
  > > "Natalie" <natalie RemoveThis @ihatespam.com> wrote in message
  > > news:beun48$ikj$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
   > > > Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in
Puerto
  > > Rico
   > > > three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the
  > > airport.
   > > > I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...
   > > >
   > > > Thanks!
   > > >
   > > > Natalie
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 12:52:34 -0400, Natalie <natalie.RemoveThis@ihatespam.com> wrote:

 >Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in Puerto Rico
 >three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the airport.
 >I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...

Forget it. Isla Verde has many small car rental agencies. You want a large
outfit. You will not get better prices than going with the largest local
firm. That is <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.charliecars.com." target="_blank">www.charliecars.com.</a> A van will pick you up at the airport.
They have an 800 number. Call them and get their price.

Don <donwiss at panix.com>.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

"Mike Cordelli" <mike DeleteThis @cordelli.com> wrote in message
news:JhCQa.9882$KS3.2898261104@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
 > I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a very
 > good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with getting
 > the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they will
 > probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they do
for
 > all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when you
 > return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or so.

This ought not ever happen. You should always print out the winning bid
info page. It details exactly what's been paid for and when. Unless you
buy insurance at the counter, this should not be an issue. Budget should
not be charging you anything at all; Priceline has already paid them; at the
time you won your auction. They don't have the right to use your money for
a week. Next time they tell you different, tell them no and ask to speak to
the manager. If they aren't there (yeah right), then say you want to speak
to the manager's boss. Be polite, but patient and persistent. Show them
your printouts along with the rules, rights, and conditions. Have THEM call
Priceline, but don't let them take any of your money.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

Compare <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.netscape.com" target="_blank">www.netscape.com</a> travel car A car this summer is $32.95/day
San Juan. plus any extras.

Driving there is different than North Amer. rules. Watch for the unusual.
Car passing many cars in the oncoming lane, you have to go on to the
shoulder or get hit.
Turning left, look both ways for a car in that lane, before turning.
Have change for the toll roads.
Do not leave any valuables in a car.
If in an accident, expect the police to do as little as possible to help
you.

Darby

"Natalie" <natalie DeleteThis @ihatespam.com> wrote in message
news:beun48$ikj$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
 > Has anyone used priceline for car rentals? We'll be arriving in Puerto
Rico
 > three days prior to our cruise and would like to rent a car at the
airport.
 > I've never used priceline and was wondering how reliable they are...
 >
 > Thanks!
 >
 > Natalie
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 23:25:08 GMT, Darby <darrom1 RemoveThis @shaw.ca> wrote:

 >Compare <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.netscape.com" target="_blank">www.netscape.com</a> travel car A car this summer is $32.95/day
 >San Juan. plus any extras.

Okay. You beat me. I just called Charlie Cars and their smallest, with
prior reservation, is $34.95 (plus any extras). What outfit has that price?

Don <donwiss at panix.com>.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

They don't tell you, it just appears on your credit card statement after you
return the car. It takes priceline a few days to work it out with them and
for the credit to appear. Like I said, it's only been with Budget, and they
hinted that I was in no way shape or form the first person this hap to.

It's never been an issue at the counter picking up the car, as they only put
the $50 hold on the credit card, never the rental cost.

It's not the counter, it's on the return side, even when you tell them it
was a prepaid rental you have to check because sometimes you get charged





"Da Parrot-chick" <just.TakeThisOut@sk.me> wrote in message
news:rLFQa.100874$Io.8695648@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
 >
 > "Mike Cordelli" <mike.TakeThisOut@cordelli.com> wrote in message
 > news:JhCQa.9882$KS3.2898261104@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
  > > I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a
very
  > > good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with
getting
  > > the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they will
  > > probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they do
 > for
  > > all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when
you
  > > return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or so.
 >
 > This ought not ever happen. You should always print out the winning bid
 > info page. It details exactly what's been paid for and when. Unless you
 > buy insurance at the counter, this should not be an issue. Budget should
 > not be charging you anything at all; Priceline has already paid them; at
the
 > time you won your auction. They don't have the right to use your money
for
 > a week. Next time they tell you different, tell them no and ask to speak
to
 > the manager. If they aren't there (yeah right), then say you want to
speak
 > to the manager's boss. Be polite, but patient and persistent. Show them
 > your printouts along with the rules, rights, and conditions. Have THEM
call
 > Priceline, but don't let them take any of your money.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 23:25:08 GMT, "Darby" <darrom1.TakeThisOut@shaw.ca> wrote:


 >Driving there is different than North Amer. rules. Watch for the unusual.

 >If in an accident, expect the police to do as little as possible to help
 >you.


You had an accident in Puerto Rico? and THAT happened to you?

Which city or town was that?

Jorge<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

Man, that sucks big time. Priceline needs to know about this--it may be
more than a simple error if you know what I mean.

"Mike Cordelli" <mike.TakeThisOut@cordelli.com> wrote in message
news:%9HQa.9927$Ka.2915687532@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
 > They don't tell you, it just appears on your credit card statement after
you
 > return the car. It takes priceline a few days to work it out with them and
 > for the credit to appear. Like I said, it's only been with Budget, and
they
 > hinted that I was in no way shape or form the first person this hap to.
 >
 > It's never been an issue at the counter picking up the car, as they only
put
 > the $50 hold on the credit card, never the rental cost.
 >
 > It's not the counter, it's on the return side, even when you tell them it
 > was a prepaid rental you have to check because sometimes you get charged
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > "Da Parrot-chick" <just.TakeThisOut@sk.me> wrote in message
 > news:rLFQa.100874$Io.8695648@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
  > >
  > > "Mike Cordelli" <mike.TakeThisOut@cordelli.com> wrote in message
  > > news:JhCQa.9882$KS3.2898261104@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com...
   > > > I use Priceline for car rentals all the time, sometimes they offer a
 > very
   > > > good deal, other times they don't. I've never had a problem with
 > getting
   > > > the car or anything, the only issue is if they give you Budget they
will
   > > > probably charge you twice, once when you make the reservation as they
do
  > > for
   > > > all their rentals, then Budget will put the charge through again when
 > you
   > > > return the car. Call priceline, and they credit it off in a week or
so.
  > >
  > > This ought not ever happen. You should always print out the winning bid
  > > info page. It details exactly what's been paid for and when. Unless
you
  > > buy insurance at the counter, this should not be an issue. Budget
should
  > > not be charging you anything at all; Priceline has already paid them; at
 > the
  > > time you won your auction. They don't have the right to use your money
 > for
  > > a week. Next time they tell you different, tell them no and ask to
speak
 > to
  > > the manager. If they aren't there (yeah right), then say you want to
 > speak
  > > to the manager's boss. Be polite, but patient and persistent. Show
them
  > > your printouts along with the rules, rights, and conditions. Have THEM
 > call
  > > Priceline, but don't let them take any of your money.
  > >
  > >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

Don
That price was for Dollar ---- Most places the search gives about 6-8
companies.
The Dollar --- rental was in the city vs the airport where one would
probably many more choices.
Darby Cancun airport we get about 8 choices.

"Don Wiss" <donwiss RemoveThis @no_spam.com> wrote in message
news:aof6hv40safardvdaf2dbujpc7fum47g2k@4ax.com...
 > On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 23:25:08 GMT, Darby <darrom1 RemoveThis @shaw.ca> wrote:
 >
  > >Compare <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.netscape.com" target="_blank">www.netscape.com</a> travel car A car this summer is $32.95/day
  > >San Juan. plus any extras.
 >
 > Okay. You beat me. I just called Charlie Cars and their smallest, with
 > prior reservation, is $34.95 (plus any extras). What outfit has that
price?
 >
 > Don <donwiss at panix.com>.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental 

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 04:15:59 GMT, "Darby" <darrom1 DeleteThis @shaw.ca> wrote:

 >Don Wiss wrote:
  >> On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 23:25:08 GMT, Darby <darrom1 DeleteThis @shaw.ca> wrote:
  >>
   >> >Compare <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.netscape.com" target="_blank">www.netscape.com</a> travel car A car this summer is $32.95/day
   >> >San Juan. plus any extras.
  >>
  >> Okay. You beat me. I just called Charlie Cars and their smallest, with
  >> prior reservation, is $34.95 (plus any extras). What outfit has that price?

 >That price was for Dollar ---- Most places the search gives about 6-8
 >companies.
 >The Dollar --- rental was in the city vs the airport where one would
 >probably many more choices.

If they have to take a cab from the airport it will cost far more than the
$6 total they would save using Dollar over Charlie's. There are no cars at
the airport. All companies bus people to Isla Verde to get a car. It is
only a few minutes away.

Don <donwiss at panix.com>.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Priceline for car rental