Honolulu HNL May 1-7 Nothing at $20

[Cowbuoy]

I have been bidding on a car in Honolulu for the first week of May everyday for about a week with no luck

I started bidding the first day at $15 for an economy, then $16 for a compact, $17 for a mid-size, $18 for a standard, etc with no luck

After a few days of this, I was bidding in the $20 range (18-20 if I remember) for a compact-standard class. Still no luck

The total price of the bids comes in at a bit under $200 when I am bidding about $20 per day (5 days 19 hours - basically 6 days right?) after taxes, etc

Priceline and the rental car sites have an all in price (after taxes) at about $250 so I don't think my bids are really out of line or anything

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please start by reading your messages and clicking this PRICELINE link... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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[Cowbuoy]

Hi - I hadn't bid yet today so I just did it again using the PRICELINE link from BetterBidding. $20 bids for compact, midsize, standard and full size were rejected and my $15 bid for an economy was rejected too.

A don't know of anything special going on that week so when I see other people getting their bids accepted for lower prices (albiet in March and April) I just gotta scratch my head.

BTW -

Go Blue! (From a Plymouth, Michigan native son),

Go Green! (From a Michigan State Spartan),

Go Gold! (From a Western Michigan University Bronco)

[thereuare]

Based upon the numbers your quoting ($200 all-in bidding vs. $250 all-in direct purchase) your bids are still about 30% off of retail and rental companies may not be willing to discount that deeply 3 months in advance, instead hoping that demand is strong and hopefully they can rent the cars on their own at full price.

I'm guessing you're not too far off, perhaps another $2-4/day might do it, but if you're looking for more than $50 savings for this rental why not book a $250 rate as a back-up (most car rental reservations are fully refundable but check terms during your reservation) to protect yourself from rates rising from here... then just continue your bidding in hopes of lower prices in the weeks ahead. If rates rise you're existing reservation will be a 'deal'... if they drop, you should be able to get something at the rates you're currently bidding and then cancel your reservation.

Thoughts?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Cowbuoy]

Update-

I have a midsize reserved through hawaii rental cars (a midsize with Alamo) for $185 for the week.

I have been bidding $18 for compact and midsize through Priceline (linked from this site) (which will save about $30) and have been getting turned down.

I will keep trying becasue I have 2 months yet but at least I have a reservation at a decent price in the mean time.

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and good luck on your next round of bidding.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.