Question re bidding on car for Orlando on Priceline.com

[Diane]

I need to pick up a car (full size) at MCO on Oct 25 for two weeks. Can any TUGGER can tell me if there is any kind of pattern for winning bids on Priceline as the pick up date approaches?

I am seeing auto rates on Hotwire and Travelocity increase as the date gets closer and have not had any success on Priceline. This is not what I would expect.

Thanks,

Diane

 

[DeniseM]

With any car rental, I think it totally depends on availability. Car rental agencies give Priceline inventory that they think they won't be able to rent themselves. With holiday weeks I see prices going up closer to the date - with off-season, slow travel weeks, I see prices going down as it gets closer.

 

[Diane]

Thanks, Denise. That makes a lot of sense.

I ended up making a reservation today directly with Alamo using a $20 Entertainment Book code. Alamo's website had a lower rate than shown on Hotwire and was below where Priceline would be if I increased my bid there.

Diane

 

[falmouth3]

Keep your eye on prices. If you continue to have a good deal on the car rental, then you have a lock on the price. If they go down, cancel your reservation and make another at the lesser price.

Sue

 

[BM243923]

Check Coscto pricing. They offer 25% off discount plus do not charge for extra driver. I have booked with Alamo, but will continue to check if price goes less since I do not go till Feb 20, 2009

 

[Kenrabs]

I booked originally through alamo for a midsize for Oct 12th weekly rental. Using priceline I got it for a little cheaper $14 a day with Avis. Saved $10. Keep trying and you should beat your alamo price.

 

[readyalready]

We're arriving in FL that day too and I found Dollar's minivan rates to be much lower than Alamo using the FL rates from mousesavers. KISS2 gets a full size for $435 including taxes for two weeks starting the 25th, don't know how that compares...

 

[Diane]

You got a great rate. Dollar is quoting me $434.74 for the same two weeks for a full size car. With Alamo and the Entertainment Card discount I am now at $343.08 for the same two weeks, full size. As suggested, will keep checking.

Diane

 

[readyalready]

Also try Budget with the entertainment code and coupon, I couldn't get the coupon to work but it should have been 243 plus taxes.

 

[Diane]

Thanks everyone. Tried all the suggestions. Just bid on Priceline.com for the last time and it looks like the best rate is Alamo with the Entertainment card coupon. A total of $333.72 for full two weeks. Am going with that.

Diane