visiting family - rent car?

ali-1411

When you visit your out of town family, do you rent a car?

Do they rent a car when they visit you?

Any ideas on how to save money on a rental car?  I'm fine getting a compact car but Priceline shows $400 for a week.  We can't afford that.  Using bank or credit card points aren't an option. Any brilliant ideas?

balihaigirl

we always rent a car when we go visit my inlaws.

i always have luck on priceline with "name your own price".  i can usually get cars for at least half the price that way. start your bid low and gradually increase it if it's not accepted.  if it's showing $400 a week, try around $20/day in the bid (i'm assuming it's for a full size?).  i recently got dh a car rental for his trip to NC on there for $12/day (economy).

ShernRich

Try Alamo and Enterprise.  They always have coupons online too.  My mom just rented a compact car for a week and we found it on Enterprise.com for $179 for the week.

ali-1411

Wow.  Its like half the price if I pick up the car out by my parents house instead of the airport. 

I haven't tried Hotwire, I'll check there.  

I've never tried the Name your own price on Priceline.  I'll check that too....

thanks!

kiarox2002

Are you going to be driving a lot?  Why can't your family come to where you are?  (Not Austin, but if you're staying with your parents why can't people come visit you there?)  Can you borrow one/ ride with people?  Is there public transport?  I guess I've never flown to a location without public transport.  When people have visited us, either they drive here or DH and I let them borrow one of our cars.  I guess that's more difficult with carseats and such, but I can't imagine renting a car unless I was going to be driving all over the state or something.

ali-1411

kiarox2002:

Are you going to be driving a lot?  Why can't your family come to where you are?  (Not Austin, but if you're staying with your parents why can't people come visit you there?)  Can you borrow one/ ride with people?  Is there public transport?  I guess I've never flown to a location without public transport.  When people have visited us, either they drive here or DH and I let them borrow one of our cars.  I guess that's more difficult with carseats and such, but I can't imagine renting a car unless I was going to be driving all over the state or something.

Detroit is the Motor City.  Public transport is a joke

My parents always offer the use of their car but...well, my mom gets kind of bitter about it.  Its just easier when I have my own.  And I'll be driving up north for 2-3 days, I feel bad about asking for their car.

kiarox2002

ali-1411:

kiarox2002:

Are you going to be driving a lot?  Why can't your family come to where you are?  (Not Austin, but if you're staying with your parents why can't people come visit you there?)  Can you borrow one/ ride with people?  Is there public transport?  I guess I've never flown to a location without public transport.  When people have visited us, either they drive here or DH and I let them borrow one of our cars.  I guess that's more difficult with carseats and such, but I can't imagine renting a car unless I was going to be driving all over the state or something.

Detroit is the Motor City.  Public transport is a joke

My parents always offer the use of their car but...well, my mom gets kind of bitter about it.  Its just easier when I have my own.  And I'll be driving up north for 2-3 days, I feel bad about asking for their car.

That makes sense.  I can see how it would be nice to have the freedom to leave. 

ssinca

It's always more expensive to rent at the airport, I think due to the taxes. Re: priceline - if you don't get the price you want, clear your cookies, it should let you bid again. My friend told me the trick but I haven't tested it yet. Also, don't forget about ebates if you use it!

thethomps

Check retailmenot dot com for rental car deals/coupons.  Also, try to see if you can rent from a non-airport location.  My parents came out here and decided they needed a car and they found one at Enterprise near our house for $25/day that would have been $39/day if they had rented it at the airport.  (They also have to get a standard-sized car b/c my dad is 6'5".  I'm sure smaller cars would have been cheaper.)