Start bidding how far in advance?

[Lovely_Star]

Aloha,

We have already booked our hotel and airfare for an anniversary trip to Oahu this September. I'm wondering when I should start the PRICELINE or HOTWIRE bidding process for our car rental? I'm assuming now is way too soon, but when exactly should I get the ball rolling?

Mahalo :)

[thereuare]

I'm assuming now is way too soon...

Why?? If you only place lowball bids now, the worst that happens is that your bid is turned down... the best that happens is that you get a price that you thought was too low to be accepted (or at the low end of the range of what you thought was realistic)

Same principal as hotels (and airfare which you previously asked about)... have an idea of what a realistic bid is and start early, staying near the low end of the generally acceptable range.

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

PS- if you booked your hotel thru PRICELINE or HOTWIRE please post your win to the board so that the information can help others. Thanks.

[Lovely_Star]

Thanks thereuare. Booked a vacation rental so we didn't use PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, but will use for our car rental. You're right what do I have to loose by starting this early. I guess I assumed that all the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE rates were "last minute deals" that the companies were trying to fill up. I will use the better bidding PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to get started and see how low can I go.

[thereuare]

You can use our Car Rental Checker to get an overview of rates.

What are your dates of travel? What car class are you seeking? What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels and what would be your maximum bid at this time?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[Lovely_Star]

We are traveling 9/10-9/18, looking for at least a intermediate/mid size. The conventional channels are around $400 on average. On our last trip we booked through priceline and got an eight day full size rental through National at $12 a day. Granted this was December '10 but am I being unreasonable to want the same pricing? I've also got a $21 Rental Car Bonus Cash Reward, I'm still a bit confused about how that works though. For example if I bid and they say my total before biding with all taxes and fees will be $180, will they only charge my card $159?

[thereuare]

The Rental Car Bonus money will add money to your bid amount... not subtract from your total.

Does the bonus money state that it is for a certain amount added to your bid price per day up to $21? If so, it will add money to your bid price, not subtract from your total. So for example it may state that they will add $3 to your bid price for up to 7 days (thus the $21 bonus money)...if you bid $15 they will submit an $18 bid on your behalf, but if accepted, you'll only be charged based upon the $15 bid price.

Was the $12 rate you won in December for an intermediate/midsize car class? For the $400 all-in price you're currently seeing thru retail channels, what is the daily rate?

Lastly, please note that you can still use your Bonus Cash along with the board's PRICELINE links as follows...

1) click the PRICELINE link on the board

2) go to the MY PROFILE >> MY REWARDS link at the top right of their home page

3) use the bonus money link in the MY REWARDS section of your profile (not a link from an email) and bid as usual

Please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Thanks.

[Lovely_Star]

Does the bonus money state that it is for a certain amount added to your bid price per day up to $21? If so, it will add money to your bid price, not subtract from your total. So for example it may state that they will add $3 to your bid price for up to 7 days (thus the $21 bonus money)...if you bid $15 they will submit an $18 bid on your behalf, but if accepted, you'll only be charged based upon the $15 bid price.

Yes, that is exactly what the bonus money states.

Was the $12 rate you won in December for an intermediate/midsize car class? For the $400 all-in price you're currently seeing thru retail channels, what is the daily rate?

No, it was for a FULL size vehicle for the same number of days (8) in December '10. Average daily rate for intermediate/midsize is around $40.

Lastly, please note that you can still use your Bonus Cash along with the board's PRICELINE links as follows...

1) click the PRICELINE link on the board

2) go to the MY PROFILE >> MY REWARDS link at the top right of their home page

3) use the bonus money link in the MY REWARDS section of your profile (not a link from an email) and bid as usual

Please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Thanks.

I have used the link before replying.

[thereuare]

I'm not sure how high you're willing to bid at this time, but i would think anything in the $18-$22 range would be a 'pretty good deal' for these dates, and i would be willing to bid up to $22 this far ahead of your trip. If this is within your budget i'd start at $15 and increase by $2 every 24 hours for the next few days until you reach $22.

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.