Tue, 12/20/2011 - 22:30 — Anonymous You are in the midst of making all the
arrangements for your next great adventure and it's time to finalize your
transportation and arrange for a rental car. Although people have been using
Priceline's Name Your Own Price function for years to find great deals on
flights, many of us don't think to do the same for our car rental
reservations or don't feel confident that we can name our own price without
missing something and ending up with a non-refundable reservation that
isn't what we needed.Because the discounts Priceline offers through this
program can result in a significant cost savings, it is an excellent way to
get more for your travel budget. To help make sure you do, here are ten tips
for using Priceline for your next car rental.1. Priceline offers solid
discounts as part of their standard reservation process without the
restrictions and limitations associated with naming your own price. Start out
by checking Priceline's regular price and work out your optimal car rental
scenario including what locations you are willing to accept for
pick-up/drop-off, times, the number of days you need the car, and the type of
car you want. You might find a price that meets your budget without having to
worry about restrictions.2. Do your research. Make sure you understand what
the different categories of cars offer in terms of amenities and capacity,
both for passengers and luggage. Some brands "economy" category cars
don't have radios and the passenger seating availability in one company's
mid-size might be different than that of another company.3. Check the prices
offered at the national brands websites and other consolidated travel
websites like Travelocity. This will give you a good idea of the average
price for the exact rental you need, ensure you are comparing apples to
apples to apples, and help you pick the right bid amount when you are ready
to bid.4. While researching standard pricing, make sure you are accounting
for differences in weekend rates versus weekday rates versus full week rental
rates. Picking the right rental period may result in additional cost savings
and is a key piece of information you will need to name your own price.5. If
you are flying into a major airport, it may be worth it to check into the
rates available if you pick-up and drop-off at a city location rather than
the airport. Although you will have to arrange for transportation from the
airport to the pickup location and it may not be as convenient, it might save
you enough money to make the extra hassle and the cost of a cab more than
worthwhile.6. As you get ready to make your bid, write out all the details of
what you need to ensure you are getting the exact reservation your vacation
plans require. Remember that Priceline's name your own price program has
severe restrictions around changes, cancellations, and refunds. Taking a
minute to plan out your bid before you commit to anything will help ensure
you don't inadvertently pick the wrong vehicle type or arrival date and end
up paying more than you bargained for.7. Set your initial bid for 20-30%
lower than the best price you found during your standard rate research. You
can also check on Priceline to see the most recent winning bids for
reservations similar to the ones you are trying to make. Use this information
to validate your bid price and adjust up or down if needed.8. The cost of
taxes and fees will be shown as part of your total bid before you finalize
and lock yourself into purchasing. Make sure you review this confirmation
carefully and understand the full cost you will incur if your bid is
accepted.9. In order to get the most benefit out of the discounts Priceline
can offer on car rentals while also averting any unintended costs or
consequences, it is important to remember that the discounts are available
because of the strict rules Priceline imposes on name your own price
reservations. According to Priceline policies, once the name your own price
bid is accepted, you cannot change the reservation in any way, you cannot
extend the reservation at the same discounted price, and you will not get any
refund for cancellations or if you return the car early.10. Lastly, be sure
to read Priceline's policy on delayed/cancelled/rescheduled flights so you
know what you need to do in the event you find yourself in one of these
situations. If your flight is delayed or cancelled and then rescheduled, your
reservations will be held for 24 hours and extended by one day. If your
flight is cancelled and you will not be taking a rescheduled flight, you will
need to contact Priceline's customer support team to determine what options
you have based on your specific circumstances.When it comes to car rentals,
using Priceline to find the right reservation at the right price can save you
a significant amount of money but you need to be prepared and informed in
order to get the rental car you need at the best price available. The extra
time and effort you put in may help you save enough money to splurge on
sampling the local cuisine or taking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure while you
are away from home.Here's another of our favorite posts with Priceline
Bidding Tips.
