Fort Lauderdale Forum: Cheapest rental car options? Has anyone tried Hotwire?

In my experience Hotwire only uses the major rental car firms and only those with desks at FLL Airport's Rental Car Centerl , so I think you should be ok.

I believe last time I used Hotwire I got Thrifty.

I just used Hotwire this last weekend for a week's rental of a full-size car at $8.95 a day plus taxes, about $120 total. I didn't need a full week but it was cheaper to get the better rate and turn it in early.

I got an Alamo car at MCO, which might be slightly cheaper than FLL. When I collected the car, they had minivans available for the same price. Keep in mind that the last weekend is traditionally one of the slowest travel weekends of the year -- my nonstop flights from Bloomington, Illinois to Orlando were only $89 each way on AirTran.

Normally, I look up the car price on Hotwire and then reduce it about 20-25% and bid on Priceline, eventually beating the Hotwire offer. This time, Hotwire was so cheap, I didn't even bother.

Both Hotwire and Priceline use Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, and Budget, as I have had cars from all of those. The only time I haven't found the cheapest rate that way is during peak periods like Christmas, when I have sometimes found dealing directly with a rental car company, using a discount code, to be the best.

another site to try is carrentals.com.

on that site you know which company you are renting from. I have used hotwire many times also. the only bad experience i have ever had was with Advantage car rental.

Thanks so much for the replies!

I think I'm going to go with Hotwire, but I want to avoid Advantage car rental at all costs, so I have one more question -- Is there a chance that I might get a car from Advantage if I use Hotwire? I know they don't show the company until after you pay, but at the top of the page it says: Guaranteed car from Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, and National....but I'm kinda nervous because I know Advantage is owned by Hertz, and I've heard HORROR storied about them....Do. not. want.

I do not think Hotwire uses Advantage- if they do, it would be a recent development.

Try Budget....I have a weeklong rental in June for $230 all in....Wendie's weekly specials

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Oh my gosh, thank you so much mamason! I just used your link and booked a premium for May 13 to 20 for $258 all in. This is less than half the price I have seen so far. I was going to wait until a couple of months out to start a serious search and then got bored tonight and decided to check out the forum.

I now have everything booked, gotta love trip advisor. :))

Thanks mamason! I changed my rental from Royal to Budget based on your link. Saved a small amount, but feel more comfortable renting from a national brand vs. local. Nice of you to spread the word.

I have also got to thank momason!! Just got a intermediate car for spring break rental for $209 total. Thank you SOOOO much!

Mary