Help in Denver

[El Gabito]

I'm totally bummed, we just ironed out dates for our trip and rental prices seem to have skyrocketed. I looked on May 22nd, and through costco was able to find an intermediate SUV for around $300 (total). Looking now, they are around $2k. SUCKS!

Any advice on where to shoot for priceline?

[thereuare]

Did you reserve the Costco deal as a back-up and now looking to do better... or is the price to beat $2000?

Any chance a minivan would work for your trip as that may save you almost 50%.

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

[El Gabito]

No, I honestly didn't expect prices to shoot up. I also didn't think about the fact that I probably could've cancelled that (I'm so used to buying things that are "pre-pay no refund").

Minivan is fine, we own an Odyssey. I've found a minivan on hotwire for right around $1k. I'm hoping to get as far under $1k as I can for ANY size SUV, or mini-van.

2 adults 2 children + luggage for four people

[El Gabito]

An update: I just booked a Standard SUV through Hertz (via USAA) for $957.82 USD all-in as a backup.

[milehighmurph]

If you can, check out a one-way from COS and return it to DEN. That's what I had to do. You can either rent a car from DEN or order a shuttle (costs around $115 for a family of four). You'll easily save that going through the Springs.

Hope that helps...

[thereuare]

It looks like you can bid up to ~$70 and come in under your back-up reservation.

I'd start with $45 at each car class and raise to the following amounts every 24 hours (checking rates just before bidding to make sure that there haven't been any major changes or rate drops):

$50

$55

$58

$60

$63

$65

$68

$70

It's up to you if you want to bid the full $70 amount which would give you a non-refundable reservation with only a few dollars worth of savings vs. your current refundable back-up... you may choose to roll the dice with the slightly higher refundable reservation which would give you the ability to take advantage of any larger rate drops down the road.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[El Gabito]

Thanks - I've not done cars before, only hotels. So I can re-bid every 24 hours?

[thereuare]

Yes, once every 24 hours.

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

[El Gabito]

Decided to drive! Wish us luck on our 16-18hr journey.

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

Have a safe trip.