Priceline Hotel: MCO Orlando Midsize Alamo

[AnthonyGT]

I'm bidding on a car rental for Orlando MCO the last week of June and into July. I've never used Priceline for car rentals before.

From my research it looks like PL only uses Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National. Is this true? The only one of those that presents a problem is Hertz. Our flight home leaves early and I'm a little leery of Hertz since they are offsite and we'll need to take the shuttle to the airport.

Are any of these won more frequently than others?

If I'm looking at a midsize what should my starting bid be?

Thanks!

Tony

[thereuare]

Yes, those are currently the rental companies that PRICELINE works with.

What is the best rate (daily before taxes and fees and total 'all-in' including taxes and fees) are you able to find thru conventional booking channels?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[earlthepearlferrell]

I won a compact for $16/day + tax from June 28th to July 1. I won about 10 cars a couple of years back from LAX. When you put in a bid of $5, Priceline kind of laughs at you and tells you what would give you a "good chance" and a "great chance" if you're at select airports. I still try and go a buck or two under the "good chance" just to be sure if I have time to rebid. Normally the "good chance" gets it done. Occasionally less for me, but rarely...

[AnthonyGT]

Hotwire shows $33.73 daily and $226.73 total.

Expedia shows $23.72 daily and $160.44 total, offsite.

Expedia shows 33.73 daily and $226.73 total at airport. I'm guessing this is the same Hotwire company above!

Orbitz gives me the same info as Expedia.

I have a backup reservation with Avis for $250 total.

[thereuare]

Is the Expedia off-site location a satellite location to the aiprort (meaning it's an "airport location" but just not in the terminal) or is it a local neighborhood location? If a neightborhood location, do they provide shuttle service? If not, how much would a taxi cost?

[AnthonyGT]

Yes, the offsite is a satellite location for the airport. I know Hertz has a shuttle. I'll have to check on Payless.

[thereuare]

And is that sattelite location acceptable for this stay?

Do you heve a means to get to that location (if there is no shuttle) as we'll have to consider possible taxi fare to get there in order to determine a good maximum bid amount.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[AnthonyGT]

Yes, both offsite locations are okay. I checked and they both have shuttles so there is no extra cost involved.

[AnthonyGT]

I just finished reading some reviews of Payless car rental. Not a company a want to do business with! So that great rate should be ignored.

I also just searched each of the 5 companies that PRICELINE uses and the best rate I found was from Dollar. It was a base of $160 (or $32 per day) and a total of $217.

[thereuare]

Almost all car rental reservations are fully refundable (and can even be held without a credit card) so i would reserve thru Dollar (please use this previous link) to lock in that price... this protects you from any price increases from here while also allowing you to take advantae of a price drop from any company by cancelling this reservation and re-booking. Just always make sure of the cancellation terms when booking (not an issue if not giving a credit card)

From there, i would start with a $15 mid and increase $2-3 every 24 hours up to a maximum bid of $25 (at this point)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes and keep us updated as to your progress.

[AnthonyGT]

I'm up to the $25 mark so far with no success. I'm going to keep trying that amount each day and see if it hits.

[mollypot]

It is helpful to check the car prices on HOTWIRE first. Then go to PRICELINE and bid 5 or 6 dollars lower to start. Hotwire prices can change daily (I have even seen them at one price in the morning and another price in the afternoon).

I hope this helps.

molly

[AnthonyGT]

Thanks Molly. I'll try that!

[thereuare]

Have you made a cancellable back-up reservation? If so, what car class and how much?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[AnthonyGT]

Yes, we have a backup rental from Dollar. It was a base of $160 (or $32 per day) and a total of $217.

Tried $28 today. No luck. I'll just keep cranking through each day and see what happens.

[thereuare]

Please note per our support page that we're an affiliate of Dollar Rent a Car... please check the support page links for your travel purchases.

Be careful going too much higher as another $2-$3 will have you at just about the same rate, or more, than your currentn back-up reservation.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[AnthonyGT]

Score!!

I hit at $28/day on the mid-size today. I got Alamo. Here's the breakdown:

5 days(4 days and 23 1/2 hours)

Subtotal: $140.00

Taxes and Fees: $54.75

Total Charges: $194.75

Lowest Published Price: $286.24

Total Savings:* $91.49 (You saved 32%)

I used the PRICELINE link on this board. Thanks again!

Tony

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see this finally came thru for you and you're happy with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Have a great trip.