Cars: daily rate not only factor -- Consider toll roads, etc.

[timmy2]

I love using Priceline for car rentals and have had no real problem over the years (knock on wood).

BUT sometimes there are other factors to consider than the daily rental price.

For example, if you will be driving on any toll roads you may want to reconsider and avoid Priceline bidding.

I know all areas are different, but I often travel to the Denver, Colo. area.

In that area there is a system of toll roads out by the airport. They are automated. You can't pay as you drive. If you don't have a transponder in your car, a picture is snapped and a bill sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. The toll is only a couple of bucks, no big deal....EXCEPT....

Some of the rental companies <and they are the biggest and best known nationwide companies> have made this into a cash cow for themselves. You can end up paying $60 or more in "fees" for a couple of bucks toll.

A few other of the big rental companies are sensible and don't pick your pocket.

The problem is if you bid on Priceline and save five or six dollars a day over some of the other companies you may end up with one of the unreasonable companies.

Bottomline, daily rental price is not always the only factor to consider. If you are facing toll roads or some other issue, it would be in your interests to investigate before trying the bidding route and ending up paying $$$$ more.