RMDJW

First bid of $20 for a mid-size vehicle was rejected. Priceline "suggested" an immediate rebid of $24. I did, and it was accepted by Avis. Total for four days: $147.66. That's steep, but I've been tracking rates for those four days for the past three months, and none of the major companies dropped below $40 a day for a compact. My cancellable backup for the four days was with Alamo at $254. Not sure why Denver rates didn't drop into the teens, as they often have in the past - I rented a compact from Enterprise in May 2012 for $5.34 a day - but they didn't. Given that, I'm pleased with this deal - and Avis doesn't charge extra for a spouse as an additional driver.

Opting for apparently the only 3* among Priceline's Meridian possibilities, I began bidding in the $45 - $55 range to no avail. I had got this very nice property once before at $68, so gradually bid up to that amount. Following that unaccepted bid, Priceline presented a $79 option. I declined that, however, and on a rebid went to $69, which was accepted. Total for four nights with taxes and fees: $322.00.

Started bidding for a 3* in Mount Kisco at $84 two weeks out(this Holiday Inn appeared to be the only 3* in this bidding area). Used Yonkers as the only available rebid zone. At $119, a counter offer of $143 popped up. I bid $129 on my final rebid. Accepted. Total with taxes and fees: $154.53. Hotel website price at time of bidding was $185.

Worked bids for a 2.5* up from $36. Finally accepted at $52. Other 2.5* hotels near BDL may be more convenient, but this will do. With fees/taxes, total is $67.38. Hotel website lists senior rate as $91.

Began bids at $46 and over several days - and with the one rebid available for a 3* - worked it up to $64, at which point Priceline suggested an immediate rebid of $74. I instead rebid on my own at $68, which was accepted. I was aiming for this property. It is likely the only Priceline 3* in the Meridian/Nampa area and is ideally located for my purposes. Total for three nights (including $35.40 in fees): $239.40. Regular daily rate for those nights: $149. Used the PRICELINE link on this site.

Started bidding for an airport area 3* at $40. Over two days and with rebids moved that to $46 and it was accepted. With taxes and fees, $59.37. Best rate available (with an association discount) through Marriott's website: $136.

I've rented cars in many cities from both Hotwire and Priceline and agree Priceline's fees are slightly higher. I've found patience to be the key to great rental prices. I've got Priceline mid-size and standard size rentals for z Name-Your-Own-Price of $11 a day by waiting until the last few days before the trip. I always make cancellable back-up reservations, though, in case there's a convention or other local event likely to deplete the rental fleet. The price you're paying is probably pretty good, though you might have saved a few bucks by waiting just a bit longer. For research purposes, check the rates over the next week - you may see them decline a bit.

Stay is for Saturday, 9/24/2011.

First bid $32 for a 3* in the Disney Maingate - Celebration area knowing this hotel was a possibility. Bid was refused, so I upped it to $35 on a rebid using Winter Park (which showed only 2* and below) - bid accepted. With taxes and fees for the Saturday night, $46.80.

First bid for 2.5* at BDL/Windsor Locks for $31 was rejected. Next day, bid of $34 accepted. With taxes and fees, $46.37. Used the PRICELINE link on this site.

Priceline lists only one 2.5* in Kanab. Bids for a 2.5* in the $60s and $70s were declined before the successful $83 bid (total with taxes, fees: $101.99). This seems high, but satisfying in that the total cost equals the backup reservation I had at a 2* hotel. Best AAA rate at hotel site: $108.

Bid for a 3* several times in the high $50s without success. Bid of $61 declined, but for a 3*, two free rebids are available. Second free rebid of $64 accepted. Best available rate at hotel site is $129 for the same nights. Total for two nights, fees and taxes included: $152.80.

With time to spare, started bidding in the mid-40s and bid almost daily until $70 was accepted. With taxes and fees, $86.19. Best AAA rate for same night is $113. Used PRICELINE link on this site.

Should have noted this is for one night, May 28, 2011.

First Priceline bid at $47 accepted. Plus $12.70 for taxes and fees for a total of $59.70 for the one night in Grand Junction.

Change of plans necessitated last-minute bidding. $60 was first bid after calculating that the Holiday Inn Holyoke is the only 3* in this sector of Springfield bidding. Total, with taxes and fees, $75.10. Cheapest online rate showed as $115.95. Used this site's link to access PRICELINE. Title should have shown $60 successful bid and stay of 9/5/10 - 9/6/10.

Unsuccessfully bid up to $65 for a 3* in the Northampton-Hadley-Amherst area, then dropped to a 2* and bid $46, which was accepted. Total with fees/taxes: $59.16.

Bid $14 a day for mid-size and standard unsuccessfully off and on for about three weeks. Noted that Hotwire's listed prices for the same size car had dropped, so tried again. $14 a day for 10 days plus $96.30 taxes and fees. Total: $236.30. Used this site's PRICELINE link.

Bid beginning at $35. Over several days, worked the bids up and used Southington (nothing above a 2*) for rebid purposes. Accepted $45. With $12.99 fees and taxes, a total of $57.99. Used PRICELINE link on this page.

After starting at $16 and bidding for two weeks, bid of $21 (with Priceline bonus of $1.67/day making it $22.67) accepted by Avis for this 9-day rental at $274.56 total cost with taxes and fees. Most I've paid for a Priceline mid-size rental out of any airport, but far less than comparable company website cost of $451.42 and less than HOTWIRE's listed cost at the time for a mid-size at SLC for $289.51 total.

Sorry. Stay is for Friday, 9/18.

Started bidding at $42. Finally accepted at $50. Total with taxes and fees, $60.90. Hotel website lowest rate listed at $79.

Bid $34 for Residence Inn for Friday night, September 25th. Accepted. Tottal with tax and fees, $45.67.

First bid $33, rejected. Added Valley for a free rebid (no 3*s in Valley) and raised bid to $34. Accepted. Total with taxes, fees: $45.67.