HI Car Rental Recommendations

[mountainboy]

@JohnnyO & others, which car rental do you recommend at KOA (or OGG)?
Dollar/Thrifty have excellent rates but worried about the silly AI automated junk charges Hertz is pushing on people these days + not-so-nice CS with them. Have always loved Alamo/National but rates a bit higher. Thoughts?
Mahalo!

 

[dayooper]

@JohnnyO & others, which car rental do you recommend at KOA (or OGG)?
Dollar/Thrifty have excellent rates but worried about the silly AI automated junk charges Hertz is pushing on people these days + not-so-nice CS with them. Have always loved Alamo/National but rates a bit higher. Thoughts?
Mahalo!

If you are a Costco member, their car rates are very difficult to beat. They use Avis, National, Enterprise and Budget and you get an additional driver as well.

 

[mountainboy]

If you are a Costco member, their car rates are very difficult to beat. They use Avis, National, Enterprise and Budget and you get an additional driver as well.

(I always book thru Costco & always do Alamo & do skip the counter.....)
But saw Dollar/Thrifty all-in rates thru Expedia/Chase being significantly cheaper; 300 for 2 weeks vs 500+ for Alamo at KOA; hence curious... (both are fairly cheap so may still do Alamo but curious re others experiences with Dollar/Thrifty or Avis/Budget etc, esp at KOA or OGG..
Mahalo!

 

[JohnnyO]

@JohnnyO & others, which car rental do you recommend at KOA (or OGG)?
Dollar/Thrifty have excellent rates but worried about the silly AI automated junk charges Hertz is pushing on people these days + not-so-nice CS with them. Have always loved Alamo/National but rates a bit higher. Thoughts?
Mahalo!

Thrifty had the best rates by far especially for a two week rental. But the CS is poor. The first vehicle they gave us was body damaged and got worse so we switched it out half way through. We didn’t want the front skirt to fall off (and blamed on us) while we drove some of the more rugged roads by the volcano. Plus it needed service by the time we turned it in. And we had to have them put water in the wiper reservoir. We should have refused the vehicle but we didn’t. We had already waited 40 mins for the car to be pulled up and there were others there waiting over an hour.

And now the replacement vehicle we got service light just came on. Their vehicles are worn and show it. We have crap on the paint job on one of the front doors. But hey we look like locals. Always take video of your vehicle before you drive off.

 

[jp10558]

@JohnnyO & others, which car rental do you recommend at KOA (or OGG)?
Dollar/Thrifty have excellent rates but worried about the silly AI automated junk charges Hertz is pushing on people these days + not-so-nice CS with them. Have always loved Alamo/National but rates a bit higher. Thoughts?
Mahalo!

If you've got the Aspire Hilton card, they have a link with National to get you Emerald status there. This can make it competitive if you (like me) often will want/need the full size rental (same price as basic, and often gets me a full MiniVan or larger SUV when I go to actually pick the vehicle) and multiple drivers (which I recall costs extra otherwise).

 

[brp]

@JohnnyO & others, which car rental do you recommend at KOA (or OGG)?
Dollar/Thrifty have excellent rates but worried about the silly AI automated junk charges Hertz is pushing on people these days + not-so-nice CS with them. Have always loved Alamo/National but rates a bit higher. Thoughts?
Mahalo!

We use Avis, but it is through a corporate rate that CostCo can't touch. Also, due to AA status, I get President's Club at Avis, so can get through quickly to competent CS. At KOA, they do not have a formal "skip the counter," but they do have a members' location.

Cheers.

 

[mountainboy]

Thrifty had the best rates by far especially for a two week rental. But the CS is poor. The first vehicle they gave us was body damaged and got worse so we switched it out half way through. We didn’t want the front skirt to fall off (and blamed on us) while we drove some of the more rugged roads by the volcano. Plus it needed service by the time we turned it in. And we had to have them put water in the wiper reservoir. We should have refused the vehicle but we didn’t. We had already waited 40 mins for the car to be pulled up and there were others there waiting over an hour.

And now the replacement vehicle we got service light just came on. Their vehicles are worn and show it. We have crap on the paint job on one of the front doors. But hey we look like locals. Always take video of your vehicle before you drive off.

OMG!
What a disaster (& this is exactly what I want to avoid)..
I have always had almost brand new vehicles with Alamo; never waited any time at the counter; always skip the counter & go straight to cars & usually out in few minutes. Will stick to it again... Not worth saving the 200 or so $ for 2 weeks; even 500 for 2 weeks is cheap enough for HI for me, so will get it, unless a cheaper rate pops up soon for us at Costco/Alamo..
Mahalo!

 

[mountainboy]

If you've got the Aspire Hilton card, they have a link with National to get you Emerald status there. This can make it competitive if you (like me) often will want/need the full size rental (same price as basic, and often gets me a full MiniVan or larger SUV when I go to actually pick the vehicle) and multiple drivers (which I recall costs extra otherwise).

Same with Amex Platinum etc but usually their (National) rates are higher... (Often pickup same vehicles with Alamo but cheaper with Costco Alamo)..

 

[mountainboy]

We use Avis, but it is through a corporate rate that CostCo can't touch. Also, due to AA status, I get President's Club at Avis, so can get through quickly to competent CS. At KOA, they do not have a formal "skip the counter," but they do have a members' location.

Cheers.

Have 'Elite status' at Avis/Hertz (thru CCs) etc also but no fancy corp rates here.
Avis was also a tad cheaper at 440 x 2 weeks, but have had some issues with their version of skip the counter (they usually pick the vehicle with some upsales & some not-so-nice staff etc). Their ratings were abysmal for KOA, so not worth saving 50-70$ over 2 weeks vs Alamo), for me....

 

[brp]

Have 'Elite status' at Avis/Hertz (thru CCs) etc also but no fancy corp rates here.
Avis was also a tad cheaper at 440 x 2 weeks, but have had some issues with their version of skip the counter (they usually pick the vehicle with some upsales & some not-so-nice staff etc). Their ratings were abysmal for KOA, so not worth saving 50-70$ over 2 weeks vs Alamo), for me....

We've done close to a dozen rentals from Avis at KOA and never had these issues. Never tried to upsell, although we routinely got upgrades based on status that I really didn't want. Yes, it's a higher grade car, but I booked economy on purpose - because that's what I want!

Cheers.

 

[jp10558]

Same with Amex Platinum etc but usually their (National) rates are higher... (Often pickup same vehicles with Alamo but cheaper with Costco Alamo)..

Ahh, I have Sam's Club - never could figure out if their travel rates were any cheaper or didn't really seem to be. But I rarely rent cars, and for the vast majority of trips I get reimbursed by the people paying for travel (I pay for accommodations) so... I try and get a good rate but don't go searching for a "deal" that might be gone or put me out by the time the other people agree to the cost. It is what it is.

 

[JohnnyO]

If you've got the Aspire Hilton card, they have a link with National to get you Emerald status there. This can make it competitive if you (like me) often will want/need the full size rental (same price as basic, and often gets me a full MiniVan or larger SUV when I go to actually pick the vehicle) and multiple drivers (which I recall costs extra otherwise).

Oh yeah we used Discount Hawaii Car Rentals last minute and saved more $$$ over our Expedia reservation and got three drivers total no extra charge. We needed three drivers so worth it for us.

Affordable Car Rental Company | Discount Hawaii Car Rental | No Booking fees, No Prepayment, & Free Cancellation

Find the perfect car for your trip with Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Our company offers endless rental options for your tropical getaway. Book your car today.

www.discounthawaiicarrental.com

 

[ljmiii]

But saw Dollar/Thrifty all-in rates thru Expedia/Chase being significantly cheaper...may still do Alamo but curious re others experiences with Dollar/Thrifty or Avis/Budget etc, esp at KOA or OGG..
Mahalo!

I would never in a million years ever, ever rent from Dollar/Thrifty again. I accepted their usual subpar vehicle condition because once upon a time Dollar was the best way to get a 4x4 on most of the Hawaiian Islands (and the only way on Lanai) but after the second outrageous CS experience I said never again.

I frequently rent from Avis through Costco because the rates are good and I'm President's Club from something (United? Marriott? Chase CSR? Chase/United Club?). But also do Alamo and happily have rented from both *many* times in the past couple of years. In 2024 we did Avis out of HNL and Alamo out of ITO into KOA. In Jan 2026 we're scheduled to do Alamo out of HNL and Avis out of KOA...assuming rates don't shift before then.

We haven't been back to OGG since COVID and then the fires (even though we own at MOC) so can't help you there.

 

[mountainboy]

happily have rented from both *many* times in the past couple of years.

Great to know!
(May try Avis with the positive experiences from both of you.... for the modest price difference, likely will stick with my usual Alamo this time at KOA)..
Mahalo!

 

[mountainboy]

This should be in a car rental thread and not on this thread ya think?

(@JohnnyO you were in HI & hence had asked on your recent HI travels post)...

*HGVC Gurus/Mods saw your post and moved this post & created a new thread, Mahalo!

Discount Hawaii Car Rentals

Looks like consolidator/booking site: still routes to Dollar/Thrift/Avis/Budget/Alamo/Payless etc... Prices similar to Expedia for Dollar/Thrifty; higher than costco for Alamo & Avis, for dates I checked... Does show 2 extra drivers (nice perk, although not necessary for us)..

Mahalo!

 

[TolmiePeak]

I've had great luck renting with Alamo from Costco Travel. I like that I can check-in online and walk straight to the car.

 

[JohnnyO]

(@JohnnyO you were in HI & hence had asked on your recent HI travels post)...

*HGVC Gurus/Mods saw your post and moved this post & created a new thread, Mahalo!


Looks like consolidator/booking site: still routes to Dollar/Thrift/Avis/Budget/Alamo/Payless etc... Prices similar to Expedia for Dollar/Thrifty; higher than costco for Alamo & Avis, for dates I checked... Does show 2 extra drivers (nice perk, although not necessary for us)..

Mahalo!

Thanks and no problem. It’s worth its own thread. I was looking for this advice months ago and should have started the my own thread then. All this good advice would have gotten lost in that other thread. Thanks mods.

 

[mountainboy]

I've had great luck renting with Alamo from Costco Travel. I like that I can check-in online and walk straight to the car.

Ditto!

 

[mountainboy]

*Looks like Alamo (via CSTCO) lowered their price to match Avis et al
440 for almost 2 weeks in KOA; booked & done (unless they drop further in next few days).
(rental co gets 240 for 2 weeks = 120/week= <20/day; 200 are taxes & fees)
Mahalo!

 

[brp]

And, by the way, whomever you use, register the rental with Autoslash (.com) and set parameters on what companies/vehicles you will accept. They can sometimes find a better rate.

Cheers.

 

[Rjbeach2003]

I use Costco almost exclusively. You need to look at all the options as prices vary by brand and by car choice. You may think you want a small car and find that a fullsize is cheaper.

 

[Luanne]

I use Costco to book. I will rent with Alamo, Avis or Enterprise, whoever has the lowest price. Won't use Budget or Dollar.

 

[Henry M.]

I get good corporate rates at Hertz and Avis. I've used both at OGG for many years and always had a good experience and cars in decent condition. I don't have to stand in line either and just go straight to my car.

I happened to get a better rate at Hertz through Expedia this past March, but then didn't get any frequent rental credit nor Gold service. When you rent through Expedia, you lose any perks you might have from your membership, like going straight to the car and the free upgrades. I won't be using Expedia again because of that. I was fortunate there was nobody in line when I got there to pick up my car. I hadn't had to talk to a customer service rep in many years. The car itself was fine and the reps were friendly.

I have only used Enterprise for local rentals when my car has been in for service or repair or some insurance company uses them. I haven't been impressed with the cleanliness of their cars. I don't know if that is just the local agency or a general problem with Enterprise. I haven't used any of the others due to the stories I read about them, like the ones above.

 

[JIMinNC]

I used to rent from Budget, but after two or three consecutive experiences with bad cars and worse service, I switched to National a couple of years ago. I have been extremely pleased with National. Great lower mileage vehicles and excellent service. I love being able to choose my own vehicle on the Emerald aisle. Not exactly sure how National compares in price, since I am more service/quality focused than price focused and don’t usually shop price.

 

[linsj]

I used to rent from Budget, but after two or three consecutive experiences with bad cars and worse service, I switched to National a couple of years ago. I have been extremely pleased with National. Great lower mileage vehicles and excellent service. I love being able to choose my own vehicle on the Emerald aisle. Not exactly sure how National compares in price, since I am more service/quality focused than price focused and don’t usually shop price.

I've used National exclusively for more years than I can remember. Every single time, the price has been lower than other companies (including Costco). Customer service is excellent, I've never had a problem with a car, and I like paying for a midsize car and driving off in a small SUV for the same price.