MIA Midsize 09/10/04-09/13/04 $14

[loanshark]

3 days @ $14 = $42

taxes/fees = $33.24

Total =$75.24

[thereuare]

We continue to see more and more car rental bids.. thanks for continuing to tip the scales towards the theory that Priceline is becoming more competitive.

[loanshark]

No problem....Glad to share the information. Thank YOU for running a great board!

I hate to put a damper in your theory, but I checked Hotwire's rates after winning this bid. Even though the daily rate was higher ($19.95/day), with taxes/fees the total was $79.73. Thus, this bid really is only a $4.49 savings over Hotwire.

Feel free to advise if this cost comparison info belongs on another topic.

[thereuare]

It wasn't a theory based upon car rentals from Priceline vs. Hotwire, it was Priceline or Hotwire vs. Conventional methods.

For a very long time you could do better booking a car rental directly thru a rental company or one of the big 3 (Oribtz, Expedia, Travelocity). As well, the previously mentioned services often allowed you to cancel and had far fewer restrictions that made Priceline/Hotwire even less of a deal since the savings weren't that great.

We're now starting to see users 'try' some lowball rental offers and to their surprise they're getting accepted.

[loanshark]

Thereuare.....I guess at first I misunderstood your initial reply. Thanks for clarifying.

By the time you add taxes/fees in, I'm spending $25.08/day.....Most conventional methods were about $30-$32/day (after finding cheapest coupon codes).

Even though I'm very satisfied with this rental, it is still nowhere near the savings you get on hotels. But I do agree with you, Priceline is starting to make progress on car rentals.

:)