Hawaii - Renting Cars In Hawaii

Hi We will be in Honululu (Wakiki) and would like to rent a car for a day where do you recommend. Should we return it the same day.

When we go the Maui, we would also like to rent a car, do you think we need a car for the full week. Anybody know how much it cost from the airport (OGG) to Westin Kaanapali?

We will be arriving on Sunday but will be dropping off someone to the airport on Thursday, wasn't sure if we should keep the car for a week or return it on Thursday. The only thing is that we will need to get transportation back to the Westin.

Hi We will be in Honululu (Wakiki) and would like to rent a car for a day where do you recommend. Should we return it the same day.

When we go the Maui, we would also like to rent a car, do you think we need a car for the full week. Anybody know how much it cost from the airport (OGG) to Westin Kaanapali?

We will be arriving on Sunday but will be dropping off someone to the airport on Thursday, wasn't sure if we should keep the car for a week or return it on Thursday. The only thing is that we will need to get transportation back to the Westin.
Car on Maui is highly advisable, as there is no frequent, reliable transportation system, and cabs will be expensive. A one-way taxi cab rental going OGG -> Westin Kaanapali will run about $60, more than the cost of a one day car rental.

For Honolulu, you can get away without a car, but be sure to do one day rentals (search this forum for tips) to get outside of Waikiki.

Absolutely you will need a car in Maui. We usually go through a tank of gas in a week just getting to golf courses and shopping and such.

Car rental companies usually give a price break if you rent for 5 days or more so it might actually cost you more money to rent for 4 days. A car rental in Maui is essential, IMO. It'll cost you more in taxis than you'll have paid to rent a car.

I always book Alamo through Costco and use a $30 discount coupon off a weekly fare. In addition to good rates, you also get one free additional driver.

If you don't belong to Costco, Entertainment also offers some decent fares, but you won't get the free driver.

Car rental companies usually give a price break if you rent for 5 days or more so it might actually cost you more money to rent for 4 days. A car rental in Maui is essential, IMO. It'll cost you more in taxis than you'll have paid to rent a car.

I always book Alamo through Costco and use a $30 discount coupon off a weekly fare. In addition to good rates, you also get one free additional driver.

If you don't belong to Costco, Entertainment also offers some decent fares, but you won't get the free driver.

I could not imagine to going to Maui and not having a car rental. There is so much to see and do there. If you are planning on site seeing a lot you will spend a fortune in taxi's if you dont have car rental.

I usually book through Costco also. I am going to Maui in May for 13 days and I got a full size car with free extra driver for a total of $229 including taxes.

And use my #1 car rental tip for Maui - keep checking the price after you reserve. It often goes down, and you can re-reserve at the lower price at no cost to you. I have saved hundreds of $$ doing this.

And use my #1 car rental tip for Maui - keep checking the price after you reserve. It often goes down, and you can re-reserve at the lower price at no cost to you. I have saved hundreds of $$ doing this.
And a site like autoslash.com is good at tracking it automatically, if you don't mind giving out your confirmation #.

And use my #1 car rental tip for Maui - keep checking the price after you reserve. It often goes down, and you can re-reserve at the lower price at no cost to you. I have saved hundreds of $$ doing this.

Absolutely. I test my itinerary about once a month and more often as the travel date approaches. Often times, the car rental company will have a "Hot deals" section on their website which lists discounted rates for upcoming dates, so don't forget to check these out, too. You can stack these discount codes with the $30 off coupons, too.

FYI, if I can find a cheaper rate or a better discount coupon, I bring up my old reservation and modify it. No need to cancel and re-book a new one every time you save a few bucks. That way you still have the same reservation number.

Has anyone tried www.discounthawaiicarrental.com for their rent a car? Will be in Waikiki & Maui in May. Are there any "must sees"?? Don't want to get stuck in a tourist trap. Any input would be appreciated.

Has anyone tried www.discounthawaiicarrental.com for their rent a car? Will be in Waikiki & Maui in May. Are there any "must sees"?? Don't want to get stuck in a tourist trap. Any input would be appreciated.

In my experience, Discount Hawaii has the best prices other than Priceline and all the flexibility that Priceline does not have.

You can find great rental car deals by bidding on priceline for a week with an economy car.

For example, a weekly rental for a standard car is around 14/ day.

I just checked enterprise and alamo and got a great price for a full size car for the week in Maui. Prices do flucuate alot, started out at $294 for a full then went to a midsize for $176 now back to full size for $111:p

I always book Alamo through Costco and use a $30 discount coupon off a weekly fare. In addition to good rates, you also get one free additional driver.

If you don't belong to Costco, Entertainment also offers some decent fares, but you won't get the free driver.

I have a question about renting through Costco.

I have a Costco membership valid through July. I only got it for a great deal on a TV; since I live alone and don't buy most items they sell, it's not worth renewing my membership.

I'd like to rent a car in August for the Big Island.

So my question is whether my Costco membership needs to be valid when I pick the car up, or is it enough that my Costco membership is valid now, when I make the reservation.

Of course, I can still consider other cheap options too (Priceline or Discount Hawaii Car Rental).

I often use Costco for car rentals. Never had to show my membership card.

It's supposed to be valid when you use it, but they have never asked to see my card.

I have a question about renting through Costco.

I have a Costco membership valid through July. I only got it for a great deal on a TV; since I live alone and don't buy most items they sell, it's not worth renewing my membership.

I'd like to rent a car in August for the Big Island.

So my question is whether my Costco membership needs to be valid when I pick the car up, or is it enough that my Costco membership is valid now, when I make the reservation.

Of course, I can still consider other cheap options too (Priceline or Discount Hawaii Car Rental).

I often use Costco for car rentals. Never had to show my membership card.

Thanks for the heads up..

Never thought to try this as I'm an executive member at Costco..

Gas is good here.. finally using the Amex on the purchases.. great ideas..

Rental vehicles for HI.. we've booked our spring break to the islands already next year.. so will try it out..

I've been asked twice to present my Costco card in The last 5 years
So yes they can ask!

I've been asked twice to present my Costco card in The last 5 years
So yes they can ask!

Yes, but Costco cards don't have expiration dates listed on it, so there'd be no way for the clerk to know that it had expired.

However, I advocate only using discounts that you're entitled to, out of sense of fairness and the threat of getting caught and having to pay last minute rates.

I've been asked twice to present my Costco card in The last 5 years
So yes they can ask!

I assume you're talking about the car rental place..

Definitely be a member when you're renting.. a world of shock if you pay the regular price..

Yes, but Costco cards don't have expiration dates listed on it, so there'd be no way for the clerk to know that it had expired.

However, I advocate only using discounts that you're entitled to, out of sense of fairness and the threat of getting caught and having to pay last minute rates.

I agree to some extent.. lets say if you were a Costco member when you booked, and then for some reason you aren't a Costco member anymore.. then what happens (probably T&C spells this out)..

And lets say I book the discount on behalf of other family members who are not Costco members.. my point is, there maybe some exceptions we don't know about..

I agree to some extent.. lets say if you were a Costco member when you booked, and then for some reason you aren't a Costco member anymore.. then what happens (probably T&C spells this out)..

And lets say I book the discount on behalf of other family members who are not Costco members.. my point is, there maybe some exceptions we don't know about..

Here's the only verbiage I could find on the Costco website:

"Please have your Costco membership, Alamo ID and coupon numbers available at time of reservation. Be prepared to show your Costco membership card to the Alamo representative when picking up your rental car."

This seems to indicate that only current Costco members can participate, which is what one would intuitively think.

Like everything else, if you decide to stretch the rules, be prepared to be caught.

Here's the only verbiage I could find on the Costco website:

"Please have your Costco membership, Alamo ID and coupon numbers available at time of reservation. Be prepared to show your Costco membership card to the Alamo representative when picking up your rental car."

This seems to indicate that only current Costco members can participate, which is what one would intuitively think.

Like everything else, if you decide to stretch the rules, be prepared to be caught.

Funny.. legitimately I carried the entertainment card for discount rental rates..

and have never been asked to see the card.

But yes.. if it says flash the Costco card and requirements, be prepared to pay retail if you aren't a Costco member if it doesn't work..

We rent alot of vehicles.
Lately, utilizing the "Costco" discount has proven to be best practice.
Great rates, free additional driver, no one -way drop off fee(Alamo)..etc..
You can still add an "Entertainment coupon in on the reservation in most cases. Some stations (Budget @ KOA) does not accept coupons.
The best thing is that you are not locked into a price. You can re-book if the rate drops at any time. No need to pre-pay.
Being asked to present the Costco card is really hit and miss..... 95% of the time...No card required...But we have been asked....depends on the Agent.

No card required...But we have been asked....depends on the Agent.

I've been asked to show my id twice. One was when I used a corporate rate (I work for a Fortune 25 company) at the Embassy Suites Lakeshore in Chicago. The second time was when I used an Entertainment rate for the Renaissance Wailea in Maui. Both offered pretty significant discounts in heavy tourist areas and both times (luckily) I had the proof with me.

Yet another reason to join their frequent driver program is that you can often times use a kiosk and bypass the agent altogether. The kiosk has never asked me for a coupon or a membership card. (The day I forget to bring the card/coupon is the day I'll be asked, though. Mark my words.)

We've got some great rates thru the hotels on previous stays. Maybe see if yours has anything special. Enjoy

Just booked mid size car using a link from discountcarrentalhawaii.com (Thrifty's) for 7 days early July. It beat all rates including Costsco.

Just booked mid size car using a link from discountcarrentalhawaii.com (Thrifty's) for 7 days early July. It beat all rates including Costsco.

I've said this many times. The only place cheaper than discountcarrentalhawaii.com is Priceline - sometimes. The best strategy is to get the deal from Discount Hawaii and then bid on Priceline, beginning significantly below the Discount Hawaii rate (if you have time) and then bidding up to just below the Discount Hawaii price. If you're not successful with Priceline, you still have the Discount Hawaii deal. If you are successful with Priceline, be nice at let Discount Hawaii know you won't be renting from them.

We rent alot of vehicles.
Lately, utilizing the "Costco" discount has proven to be best practice.
Great rates, free additional driver, no one -way drop off fee(Alamo)..etc..
You can still add an "Entertainment coupon in on the reservation in most cases. Some stations (Budget @ KOA) does not accept coupons.
The best thing is that you are not locked into a price. You can re-book if the rate drops at any time. No need to pre-pay.
Being asked to present the Costco card is really hit and miss..... 95% of the time...No card required...But we have been asked....depends on the Agent.

Thanks for the heads up.^

I'm a bit pessimistic trusting all 3rd party service providers marketed through Costco is always the lowest price.. For example.. I priced out my Window Coverings at $58,000 with Costco, and the regular price is $67,000..

Through my research, I was able to close it at $32,000.. tax in and installation.. so Costco was a lot more expensive.. and I'm an executive member.

If Costco is offering the lowest of the low in rentals.. I'm there:cool:

I have a question about renting through Costco.

I have a Costco membership valid through July. I only got it for a great deal on a TV; since I live alone and don't buy most items they sell, it's not worth renewing my membership.

I'd like to rent a car in August for the Big Island.

So my question is whether my Costco membership needs to be valid when I pick the car up, or is it enough that my Costco membership is valid now, when I make the reservation.

Of course, I can still consider other cheap options too (Priceline or Discount Hawaii Car Rental).

The discount is for current Costco members. You're not entitled to the discount if you're not a member at the time of pickup. That alone should stop you from using the discount, whether they check for the card or not.

That said I've had to show my Costco card about 50% of the time.

The discount is for current Costco members. You're not entitled to the discount if you're not a member at the time of pickup. That alone should stop you from using the discount, whether they check for the card or not.

That said I've had to show my Costco card about 50% of the time.

Easy solution: Get a Costco membership.. and if you aren't happy.. ask for a full no questions asked refund..

Loyalty manager may comp you for the first full year.:cool:

I've said this many times. The only place cheaper than discountcarrentalhawaii.com is Priceline - sometimes.

Maybe most of the time, but not always. I booked a jeep on the Big Island through Alamo for a week in April for more than $150 less than they were able to secure for me, through Alamo. I also booked a mid-size for 5 days on Maui immediately preceding that rental for about $35 less than they got me for a compact.

Maybe most of the time, but not always. I booked a jeep on the Big Island through Alamo for a week in April for more than $150 less than they were able to secure for me, through Alamo. I also booked a mid-size for 5 days on Maui immediately preceding that rental for about $35 less than they got me for a compact.

Well, that's a good point. One needs to keep checking all possibilities as rates can drop after you make an initial reservation some place.

I've said this many times. The only place cheaper than discountcarrentalhawaii.com is Priceline - sometimes. The best strategy is to get the deal from Discount Hawaii and then bid on Priceline, beginning significantly below the Discount Hawaii rate (if you have time) and then bidding up to just below the Discount Hawaii price. If you're not successful with Priceline, you still have the Discount Hawaii deal. If you are successful with Priceline, be nice at let Discount Hawaii know you won't be renting from them.

I beat the discountcarrentalhawaii.com rates in Jan. with hotwire.com. Check LOTS of sites before you decide.

try a search there was a major thread on this topic not too long ago with a lot of useful info.

as i recall we found the rates through the island air website to be the best (you don't need to fly the airline to get the discount). priceline and hotwire are often good but you will not be able to get hertz gold avis preferred treatment when you go that route, and sometimes the lines can be long. of course, we've found bad CS at Avis and Budget in Maui, the management does not seem to have a clue.