vpFREE2 Forums

Rental Car Rates

#1

Hi Gang,

Well I'm heading back to Laughlin next Monday. I got the NASCAR "Thunder" special at CB for
five free nights, and since the temperature hasn't reached 120º down there yet I have very
little willpower even though I just got back.

I've had a car reservation for some time now, for travel from LAS to Laughlin and back for
$168 after taxes for a compact at the weekly rate. All of the car rental agencies have been
hovering around $160-170. I guess maybe that's not too bad, but it wasn't that long ago I
was able to get a mid-sized car for $140 (+ or -).

Soooo today, while surfing the usual car rental sites, I decided what the heck, let's see what
Hotwire has to offer. And BANG! $130 after taxes, a $38 savings through Avis. Can you
imagine my surprise at getting that rate just one week before the trip? Maybe that's the
reason.

I've tried Hotwire in the past with only limited results, but they sure came through this time.

#2

Hi Gang. Last week I rented a car from Avis through Hotwire for my Vegas/Laughlin trip. I
looked at my credit card bill online today and I thought I'd pass on a little information. If
you never plan to rent a car through Hotwire, disregard this article.

When I turned in the car to Avis last Saturday, I received a bill from Avis for $30.03, over
and above the $130.19 Hotwire said would be the total price. When I called the Avis
representative today she told me that Hotwire typically does not quote the actual price,
even though the amount on the reservation said "Total Price", with no asterisk or caveat.
However Avis, being as kind as they are, agreed to "waive the additional $30.03 this time".

Still, my stomach churned a bit for being seemingly mislead by Hotwire and so I went to
their website and read their faqs on rental cars. Sure enough, if the car you rent is
"discounted", the total price IS the total price. But if the car is "non-discounted", one may
incur additional fees/taxes when they return the car.

I just finished sending an email to Hotwire asking them why the issue of discounted vs
non-discounted fees never came up before I made the reservation. I'll let you know if I
hear more.

Hi Gang,

Well I'm heading back to Laughlin next Monday. I got the NASCAR "Thunder" special at

CB for

five free nights, and since the temperature hasn't reached 120º down there yet I have

very

little willpower even though I just got back.

I've had a car reservation for some time now, for travel from LAS to Laughlin and back

for

$168 after taxes for a compact at the weekly rate. All of the car rental agencies have

been

hovering around $160-170. I guess maybe that's not too bad, but it wasn't that long

ago I

was able to get a mid-sized car for $140 (+ or -).

Soooo today, while surfing the usual car rental sites, I decided what the heck, let's see

what

Hotwire has to offer. And BANG! $130 after taxes, a $38 savings through Avis. Can

you

imagine my surprise at getting that rate just one week before the trip? Maybe that's the
reason.

I've tried Hotwire in the past with only limited results, but they sure came through this

time.

···

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bob972@...> wrote:

#3

Ok I heard back from Hotwire. They told me I DID book a discounted rental, which means
that the total price WAS the total price as far as they were concerned. He went on to say
that discounted rentals are prepaid, and a renter submits his billing information even
before he finds out the name of the rental car agency (which is what happened).

So I guess, in summary, if you receive a discounted rental like I did, but are later asked by
the rental car agency for additional funds, something is rotten in Denmark. (Is the car
rental agency hoping I didn't notice or wouldn't pursue it?)

Hope I didn't bore too many people here but thought I should pass this on.

Hi Gang. Last week I rented a car from Avis through Hotwire for my Vegas/Laughlin

trip. I

looked at my credit card bill online today and I thought I'd pass on a little information.

If

you never plan to rent a car through Hotwire, disregard this article.

When I turned in the car to Avis last Saturday, I received a bill from Avis for $30.03, over
and above the $130.19 Hotwire said would be the total price. When I called the Avis
representative today she told me that Hotwire typically does not quote the actual price,
even though the amount on the reservation said "Total Price", with no asterisk or caveat.
However Avis, being as kind as they are, agreed to "waive the additional $30.03 this

time".

Still, my stomach churned a bit for being seemingly mislead by Hotwire and so I went to
their website and read their faqs on rental cars. Sure enough, if the car you rent is
"discounted", the total price IS the total price. But if the car is "non-discounted", one

may

incur additional fees/taxes when they return the car.

I just finished sending an email to Hotwire asking them why the issue of discounted vs
non-discounted fees never came up before I made the reservation. I'll let you know if I
hear more.

>
> Hi Gang,
>
> Well I'm heading back to Laughlin next Monday. I got the NASCAR "Thunder" special

at

CB for
> five free nights, and since the temperature hasn't reached 120º down there yet I have
very
> little willpower even though I just got back.
>
> I've had a car reservation for some time now, for travel from LAS to Laughlin and back
for
> $168 after taxes for a compact at the weekly rate. All of the car rental agencies have
been
> hovering around $160-170. I guess maybe that's not too bad, but it wasn't that long
ago I
> was able to get a mid-sized car for $140 (+ or -).
>
> Soooo today, while surfing the usual car rental sites, I decided what the heck, let's see
what
> Hotwire has to offer. And BANG! $130 after taxes, a $38 savings through Avis. Can
you
> imagine my surprise at getting that rate just one week before the trip? Maybe that's

the

···

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bob972@...> wrote:

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bob972@> wrote:
> reason.
>
> I've tried Hotwire in the past with only limited results, but they sure came through this
time.
>

#4

this on.

Thanks for posting, Bob! This is good information.

My advice to those that use the national websites to reserve (as
opposed to Hotwire, etc.) is keep checking rates up until you pick up
the car. I was able to get an intermediate rate of $11.99 per day
down from my original reservation for $22.99 per day on a recent long
weekend rental in LV from Dollar, and I made the change one day prior
to arrival.

Drew

···

--- In vpFREE_Laughlin@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bob972@...> wrote:

Ok I heard back from Hotwire.
Hope I didn't bore too many people here but thought I should pass