Don't forget your car rental discount

[LoneStar]

Cars seem to be particularly cheap in Hawaii this year, so be on the lookout to save money -- and check back periodically after you book for even a better deal, since the rates keep coming down. Orbitz seems to be a good place to start comparison shopping.

As an example, I now have a 1 week full size rental from National at the Kona Airport for a base rate of $119. They gave me an additional "association" discount of $17 and allowed me to apply a $20 off coupon from the Entertainment Book. So that's now only $82 (+ tax and fees, of course) for the week. I've never seen car rental rates that low in Hawaii.

FWIW, rentals in Kona seem to be the cheapest in Hawaii right now, but Maui and Kauai rentals are almost as inexpensive. Honolulu rates are also reasonable, but seem better by the week than by the day.

The only cars that aren't cheap are minivans and SUVs. So if you positively have to have one, maybe priceline bidding makes some sense. We've had some reports of minivans going in the mid $20s/day through priceline.

Now if we could only get the hotels to lower their rates to these levels. One night at a resort hotel -- even on priceline -- costs far more than a week's car rental.

[goldendeal]

"The only cars that aren't cheap are minivans and SUVs"

I would add convertibles to that list. They don't come cheap in Hawaii. They keep those at a premium price.

I actually found a convertible cheaper in Maui than I did The Big Island. You just have to shop around and if the prices are high, wait. My advice it to check back often. I have had prices change with rental cars with in hours of each other.

[epicureangirl]

Check the car rentals board here. In Maui and Kauai, there have been some GREAT weekly rates for convertibles. After using my coupon, my daily rate was $31.98 for a convertible from National (Sept '06).

[epicureangirl]

Does anyone know of car rental coupons that are good for a daily rate? I see many for 3 day or weekly rentals. Looking for OGG on September 21 and again on September 26th. Many thanks.

[HappybayBen]

Just to bump this into 2007... after getting a PL acceptance for a HNL hotel (Hawaii Prince), PL offers car rentals. Mid & Std from $17, $18 per day.

Is this any better than standard shoulder season midweek daily rates? I'll check the appropriate BB page just in case there are recent reports. :)

[ThWilmesi]

Actually I was just able to score over Priceline in LIH a standard SUV for 35 USD, confirmed actually with Hertz which totally surprised.

Total coast from 2nd - 6th of May 185 USD incl. of all taxes, compared with the midsize SUV with Hertz I previously rented including all discount and rates codes I had available which was 350 USD. Not too shaby, pretty happy customer :) :)