Priceline or Hotwire question

[maddaug]

I was looking at Hotwire and from what I can tell there is an additional charge for additional drivers when picking up the car. Drivers would just be the hubby or myself. We usually only use National and they do not charge for spouses.

I guess my question is, are there any charges that you aren't aware of until you pick up the car??

 

[Luanne]

I guess my question is, are there any charges that you aren't aware of until you pick up the car??

Sometimes. I got a car through Priceline for the Big Island of Hawaii. Didn't find out until we picked up the car that there would be an additional charge for the extra driver.

 

[maddaug]

Luanne, do you recall how much more for the extra driver and who was the car rental company?

 

[Luanne]

Luanne, do you recall how much more for the extra driver and who was the car rental company?

The rental company was Alamo. I don't remember how much more it ended up costing us. As I recall it was still less than if we'd gone directly through Alamo, but certainly more than I was expecting since I thought when I'd paid Priceline up front it was for everything.

 

[BSQ]

I use hotwire all the time for car rentals. I've never had any additional charges, unless while receiving the car I've opted to bring it back empty rather than with a full tank of gas. But that's not a hidden charge, that's agreed upon receipt of the keys.

Through hotwire I've ended up at Hertz, Budget and Avis.

 

[JMSH]

How can you tell when using Hotwire if the rental car counter is on the airport site or not. Going to Orlando March 9th,2007???

 

[JamminJoe]

I used Alamo via Priceline a few weeks ago, the charge for an extra driver was $10.00/day, not worth it to me so I did the driving rather than pay an extra $70.00.

 

[Detailor]

How can you tell when using Hotwire if the rental car counter is on the airport site or not. Going to Orlando March 9th,2007???

JMSH,
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, L & M and National are the only companies with cars onsite at the airport. Other agencies have reservation desks in the airport but shuttle you to their offsite car pick-up locations. I think that Hotwire uses Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National so you'd have a pretty good chance to rent from an onsite agency.

Dick Taylor

 

[JMSH]

Thank you,

 

[maddaug]

Well my dear husband said he would just do all the driving if that is how the car rental agreement turns out when we pick up the car. I would think this is something that should be disclosed upon agreement of price, car size etc.
I know or at least believe National doesn't charge for a spouse driving or we weren't made aware the 3 times we have rented from National.

Our only experience is with National and I have nothing but great things to say about the company so I hesitate to go elsewhere but due to the prices hotwire seems to be the way to go.

Anyone have anything else to add??

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Anyone have anything else to add??

Yeah -

The deal with Hotwire and Priceline is that you give up some of the conveniences of a conventional reservation in exchange for getting some great prices. Both companies make efforts to keep users from knowing in advance what vendors they might wind up with.

It's important to understand exactly what you are bidding on. If it's a room, you aren't guaranteed a double room. If it's car, all you are guaranteed is your car size for your rental dates. Many (most) of the complaints that are lodged about PL and HW stem from people who didn't read or choose to ignore exactly what they are bidding on.

One consequence is that users will be subject to the vagaries of whatever vendor provides the service. Sometimes you'll be able to add another renter to a car at no charge; other times not. Some hotels will accommodate requests for a double room; others will only do so for a fee; others not at all. Some hotels will put extend Frequent Traveler benefits to members who arrive via PL and HW, other's don't.

Bottom line is that if it's important to you to know which rental company you will wind up with, then you shouldn't be using Priceline or HW. If you think they should post info on whether additional drivers will be accommodated on a car rental contract, you can certainly suggest that to them. But since the rental company policies vary on that point, I doubt that PL would provide that info up front - the most they might do is offer a disclaimer that use by another driver is at the rental company's discretion, which is the same as they do regarding double rooms at hotels.