ORD 4/11/11-4/14/11

[rao740]

I am traveling to Chicago and looking for a deal on a rental car. I found a previous post from 3/7/11 stating the user paid $10.00 for Mid-sized car. I tried all the way up to $25.00 with no luck. Any suggestions?

Rao740

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Just like hotels, car rental rates are date specific... generally cheaper on weekends (less business travel) and more expensive midweek... as well as effected by conferences, special events, etc.

What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels? (please provide the per day and the total 'all-in', including taxes and fees amount)

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

[rao740]

Total $241.00 taxes and all. That is through PRICELINE, Budget rental car. I have tried $32.00 a day and still no luck. Suggestions are welcome!!

[geetu]

Total $241.00 taxes and all. That is through PRICELINE, Budget rental car. I have tried $32.00 a day and still no luck. Suggestions are welcome!!

In that case go onto HOTWIRE.com and book through there. I checked the price for a midsize and I'm getting a total of $190.91 for your dates.

Enjoy Chicago! :)

[thereuare]

I'm not seeing the $191 rate on HOTWIRE when searching the dates above, 4/11-4/13. HOWEVER, i am seeing this rate (thru Enterprise) when searching for 4/11-4/16. Yes, the total price actually goes down when increasing for 3 days to 5 days since the 5 day rental puts you from the daily rate to the weekly rate.

However, since this is not an opaque purchase (it comes from HOTWIRE's 'retail' section and you know the rental company, Enterprise, before purchase) you are subject to a rate change if you return the car early.

I would bid on PRICELINE for 4/11-4/16 and return the car early. With opaque purchases the rental company is no supposed to charge for early return, as this is current at time of posting from PRICELINE's help section:

Can I return my car early?

You can always return your car earlier than your scheduled drop-off time but priceline cannot issue any refunds for unused time. Our rental car partners choose whether to accept your offer based on the exact combination of pick-up date, drop-off date, car type and location you select while on our website. As a result, your accepted price reflects savings that may not have been offered to you with any other combination. We know our no refunds policy is strict, but it's the agreement that keeps this great service available and the reason the major car rental companies allow you to save so much money with priceline.

Looks like a maximum bid of $22 would yield about $187 total... a $25 bid would come to $203. Would this be an option for you? How much savings would you need to make an opaque purchase worthwhile?

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

[rao740]

I like the sound of returning the car early, my only concern would be any additional fees, I know stated above it says they should not charge you a fee. I would like to be in the $150-180 range max.

[thereuare]

I would like to be in the $150-180 range max.

At current prices this doesn't seem possible, and only by returning the car early are you getting close to this price range. You'll have to weigh the risk vs. the savings.

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