Maui car rental

[FlyKaesan]

is $359 good rate for 3 weeks in Maui or should I look for lower rate? Car size does not matter and with high gas price, small is good. I don't mind making double trips since Maui is not that big.

 

[Icarus]

$120 per week is a great rate for a rental car anywhere.

Does that include taxes?

-David

 

[FlyKaesan]

yes, that is the total price including fees and taxes.

 

[DeniseM]

is $359 good rate for 3 weeks in Maui or should I look for lower rate? Car size does not matter and with high gas price, small is good. I don't mind making double trips since Maui is not that big.

Where are you flying into? Because it would not be convenient to make two trips from the main airport in Kahului to the other side of the island - where all the timeshares are. It would be more than an hour round-trip.

According to Google Maps it's 27 miles and 47 minutes - one way. If traffic is heavy going up the coast (and it usually is during commute times) it could be much longer.

 

[LAX Mom]

I have a compact car reserved with Alamo next month for $133 including all taxes.

In Hawaii I usually find the best prices with Costco travel, Alamo. I know others have complaints with Alamo but the price is often the lowest available. I've had extremely dirty cars with Alamo on Maui. My experience on Oahu has been similar....cheap prices, but cars are often older and not in great condition.

I figure I only need the car for transportation. I'm not trying to impress anyone with my ride!

 

[Cathyb]

laxmom: How about a cockroach crawling at your feet? That was what our Maui Alamo entertained us with We are paying a little more but staying with Budget from now on.

 

[FlyKaesan]

I am thinking about flying from HNL to OGG. I think airline charging for bags and extra weight is helping us to pack light. Most likely we will buy full of stuff at Costco or at Walmart the next day.
I saw your post of what to pack. I am thinking about using that.
Is Alamo that bad and dirty? Don't they use newer cars?

 

[DeniseM]

I am thinking about flying from HNL to OGG. I think airline charging for bags and extra weight is helping us to pack light. Most likely we will buy full of stuff at Costco or at Walmart the next day.
I saw your post of what to pack. I am thinking about using that.
Is Alamo that bad and dirty? Don't they use newer cars?

Hawaii is tropical and tropical places have bugs. What attracts bugs to cars? - Food. If the previous renter ate in the car, or you do, you will have bugs. We have used Alamo on most of our trips and not had a problem.

OGG is the airport in Kahului - as I said in my earlier post it's 47 minutes from Kahului to the other side of the island - one way - if there is no traffic. Google Maps There are no timeshares on the side of the island where OGG is located. You need a car big enough for all of you to be transported in one trip. Plus Maui is very rural - if you want to do any sightseeing, you need a car big enough for all of you.

 

[LisaRex]

The rate is great. The lowest I've ever gotten is $160/week. Is this a multi-island rate? I thought you were going to several islands.

FYI, It'll take an hour to an hour and a half to get back and forth between OGG and Kaanapali. Where are you going to leave your luggage during that time? With a family member? I wouldn't leave it in unattended in the baggage claim that long.

If you're staying on one island the entire time, one alternative is to rent a larger car for one day on the bookend days. Rent the larger car at OGG. Once you're done deliverying your luggage/passengers, return it to the Kaanapali Transportation Center, which is close to Kaanapali Beach Club. Rent a smaller car there and drive it the remainder of the time. Return it to the KTC on the last day and pick up the larger car. However, the two daily rentals would probably add as much to the total price as simply renting a larger car the entire time.

Look at the "Hot Deals" section of many of the airlines for deals. You can usually get great deals there. For four people, I usually rent a medium SUV.

 

[Carlsbadguy]

I just got a 9 day rental in Maui using the Costco Alamo codes for $166 including all taxes. I checked recently a ter booking a few weeks ago and the rate dropped $10 so rebooked with the lower rate.

 

[Palguy]

I bid $14 a day one month before our recent trip to Maui with Priceline and won a midsize from Alamo. I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't get a smaller car for much less if you keep bidding up to the day you leave. You can always cancel your current reservations. With travel to Hawaii down as much as it is right now there is a glut of rental cars.

 

[FlyKaesan]

Can you cancel reservations in Priceline?
I thought neither hotel or car rental from Priceline can be canceled?

If I bid on Priceline, I will pay ahead and be penalized if I don't use it, right?

 

[DeniseM]

Can you cancel reservations in Priceline?
I thought neither hotel or car rental from Priceline can be canceled?

If I bid on Priceline, I will pay ahead and be penalized if I don't use it, right?

With Priceline, your credit card is charged as soon as you win the bid, and it is non-cancelable. So don't do it until you are sure of your dates.

 

[californiagirl]

LAX Mom,

I can't thank you enough for your comment about using Costco codes. I just rebooked with Alamo and got a convertible in Lihue for a week for 179.00 out the door!! (This includes the second driver!!!!) :whoopie: I had originally booked the SAME dates with Alamo at a rate of $378 + cost of second driver.

I had a Costco coupon sitting on my desk next to the computer as I read your post and thought I would give it a try.

Mahalo!

 

[FlyKaesan]

I shortened it to 2.5 week and got $280 with upgrade. My last 3 days I would like to be at Oahu but that is still up in the air.

 

[LAX Mom]

LAX Mom,

I can't thank you enough for your comment about using Costco codes. I just rebooked with Alamo and got a convertible in Lihue for a week for 179.00 out the door!! (This includes the second driver!!!!) :whoopie: I had originally booked the SAME dates with Alamo at a rate of $378 + cost of second driver.

I had a Costco coupon sitting on my desk next to the computer as I read your post and thought I would give it a try.

Mahalo!

Glad to help! I've found some great prices with Alamo in Hawaii, as low as $99(with all taxes) a week for a midsize. I often check again as my trip gets closer and find a better price than I have reserved.

I used to use the paper coupons in the Costco travel book, but now I find it just as easy to use www.Costco.com. If you follow the link to travel, you can try Alamo, Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz & National all available with coupon codes. They link directly to the car rental sites and you can book with the codes already listed.

I always print off a copy of the coupon but they never seem to ask for it.

 

[talkamotta]

I always check Costco rates and then low ball them on Priceline. If Priceline doesnt bite I book with Costco and keep trying.

I booked the car for my son's honeymoon - Costco lowest was $220 and Priceline came in at $15/day which made it $172 for the week/full size car.
I think anything for a full size car for under $180 is good.

One time, I booked a full size out of TPA for $130/week. When we went to get the car, they didnt have any full size so they gave us a cadillac luxury for the week. That worked for me.